The Odd Couple 1968

The Odd Couple

Critics Consensus

Enlivening Neil Simon's crackerjack script with their harmonious rapport, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are a perfect pairing as The Odd Couple.

97%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 36

89%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 31,393

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Movie Info

When fussy Felix (Jack Lemmon) becomes suicidal over his impending divorce, he accepts an offer to move in with his best friend, messy Oscar (Walter Matthau). Felix drives Oscar crazy with his obsession over his soon-to-be ex. Oscar tries to get him out of his funk by arranging a double date with two wacky British neighbors, Cecily (Monica Evans) and Gwendolyn (Carole Shelley). When the plan backfires and Felix grows even more despondent, his friendship with Oscar is put to the test.
  • Rating:
    G
  • Genre:
    comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Gene Saks
  • Producer:
    Howard W. Koch
  • Writer:
    Neil Simon
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Paramount Pictures

Cast

Walter Matthau
as Oscar Madison
Jack Lemmon
as Felix Unger
Monica Evans
as Cecily
Carole Shelley
as Gwendolyn
John Fiedler
as Vinnie
Herb Edelman
as Murray
David Sheiner
as Roy
Larry Haines
as Speed
Iris Adrian
as Waitress
Heywood Hale Broun
as Sportswriter
John C. Becher
as Hotel Clerk
Roberto Clemente
as Himself - Baseball Player
Matty Alou
as Himself - Baseball Player
Maury Wills
as Himself - Baseball Player
Vernon Law
as Himself - Baseball Player
Ken Boyer
as Himself - Baseball Player
Bud Harrelson
as Himself - Baseball Player
Jerry Buchek
as Himself - Baseball Player
Ed Kranepool
as Himself - Baseball Player
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Critic Reviews for The Odd Couple

All Critics (36) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (1)

  • Capitalizing on almost every funny line in the play, and keeping physical setups to a wise minimum, playwright-screenwriter Neil Simon and director Gene Saks have adapted to the screen, fidelity-sharp, the embattled hilarity of The Odd Couple.

    May 3, 2019 | Full Review…

    Ray Loynd

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • The Neil Simon comedy that lit up Broadway for more than two years shines again in this flawed but still funny screen adaptation.

    April 27, 2009 | Full Review…
    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • ...a durable classic, the sort of comedy that doesn't try to yank laughs by cramming its fist down our throats.

    March 18, 2009 | Full Review…

    Mark Bourne

    Film.com
    Top Critic

  • For all its overfamiliarity, this is a good play, easily Simon's best, and Matthau and Lemmon inhabit it with grace and style.

    April 1, 2008 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • An irresistible double act from Lemmon and Matthau.

    January 26, 2006

    Tom Milne

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • It does well as an evening's entertainment.

    October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (36)

Audience Reviews for The Odd Couple

  • Jul 11, 2013
    Tonally, it's inconsistent, and its characters behave in seemingly random ways, but The Odd Couple contains just enough comedic starpower and underlying progressiveness to ensure it's a worthy watch.
    Isaac H Super Reviewer
  • May 29, 2013
    Neat-freak Felix rooms with the messy Oscar. Classic, funny, and enjoyable, <i>The Odd Couple</i> works primarily because of the strong performances by the two leads, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Both make their characters both likeable and annoying, and both deliver Neil Simon's lines with a high-energy, <i>His Girl Friday</i> wit. This film is more fun than profound, more madcap than sober, and while I rarely laugh out loud at most comedies, I found myself chuckling and smiling now and then at the film's clever repartee. Overall, this film is a classic for a reason -- a very good reason.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • Feb 05, 2013
    "The Odd Couple" isn't completely successful in its transfer from stage to screen, but the humor is still as ripe as ever and there are two great lead performances from Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The main problem is that Gene Saks' direction doesn't elevate the "The Odd Couple" the way that it should, making the film often feel like nothing more than a filmed play. However, it's enjoyable and there's an honest message at its center, and, above all, it's funny.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Apr 03, 2011
    Hilarious and acted to perfection.
    matt s Super Reviewer
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