Walter Matthau as a resourceful mob hit-man who is hounded by a suicidal Jack Lemmon who is desperate to win back his sex-cult-obsessed wife. Their paths cross constantly, culminating in the final scene's extremely far-fetched reunion. Billy Wilder's final film as director shows the master pushing the envelope, including gratuitous foul language and brief nudity, along with matter-of-fact handling of murder, vandalism and ridiculing the effectiveness of law enforcement.
The scene where a hotel maid ignores the plight of a bound and gagged Lemmon is painful to watch. The woman "chats" with the victim without once considering that he needs help, bidding him good day as she eventually exits. This could be seen as an insult to Hispanic Americans, portraying the maid as a bubble-headed idiot.
The way Matthau and Lemmon play-off each other is fun to watch. The many reckless ways of making fun of life were not always humorous to watch, but at times disturbing. This is not the kind of fun I expected from the "dream team" of veteran film makers. This is no "Seven Year Itch". With low expectations you may find a little joy in this rather desperate attempt to deliver laughter.
The scene where a hotel maid ignores the plight of a bound and gagged Lemmon is painful to watch. The woman "chats" with the victim without once considering that he needs help, bidding him good day as she eventually exits. This could be seen as an insult to Hispanic Americans, portraying the maid as a bubble-headed idiot.
The way Matthau and Lemmon play-off each other is fun to watch. The many reckless ways of making fun of life were not always humorous to watch, but at times disturbing. This is not the kind of fun I expected from the "dream team" of veteran film makers. This is no "Seven Year Itch". With low expectations you may find a little joy in this rather desperate attempt to deliver laughter.