Grumpy Old Men Synopsis: For decades, next-door neighbors and former friends John and Max have feuded, trading insults and wicked pranks. When an attractive widow moves in nearby, their bad blood erupts into a high-stakes rivalry full of naughty jokes and adolescent hijinks.
Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon star as Max and John, two longtime frenemies in a small Minnesota town whose rivalrly intensifies when a charming new neighbor, Ariel (Ann-Margret), moves in and catches both of their eyes.
Grumpy Old Men is one of Matthau and Lemmon’s late-career collaborations, and one of my favorites. It’s a heartwarming movie that combines genuine laughs with heart-tugging moments. As Max and John, Matthau and Lemmon’s chemistry is effortless. Their history is rooted in petty insults, fishing competitions, and feuding over women. The rest of the cast is perfection, especially the late Burgess Meredith as Lemmon’s unfiltered father. He steals every scene, and if you haven’t yet, definitely watch the bloopers during the credits for more laughs.
I haven’t seen much of Ann Margaret’s filmography, but she provides a lively presence that softens the gruffness of the two stars. She really sparkles with every man on screen, but Ariel’s blossoming relationship with John is the real deal, and I adored their scenes together, especially the initial meeting where she wants to use John’s bathroom in the middle of the night.
One thing I really appreciate about Grumpy Old Men is that the humor is broad, but good-natured, even when John and Max are flinging insults at each other. There’s a surprising warmth to the entirety of the film, and both Lemmon and Matthau have moments where we’re reminded that they may be comic legends, but they’re also capable of a dramatic moment that will put an ache in your chest.
Why don’t you do the world a favor, pull your lip over your head and swallow?
Despite some pacing issues, Grumpy Old Men ultimately succeeds as a charming tale of friendship, aging, and finding love at any stage of life. I hadn’t seen this movie in years, but it’s incredible how much of it I actually remembered. It’s the perfect movie for this time of year, especially with the holidays just around the corner.
Watched: 11/07/2025
Notable Song: Love Man by Otis Redding
