This is about a dress manufacturer named Harry Stoner (Jack Lemmon). He hates his job and has to pimp out for people just to get them to buy his outfits. He's even considering arson to cover up some mistakes. He misses his youthful life and wants to go back to a time when things were easier and quieter.
This isn't a plot driven movie--it's more of a character study than anything else. It's a slow movie and I found the observations in the script pretty obvious (but they may not have been in 1972). Also it's depressing seeing what Stoner has to do to succeed. This would probably be unbearable to watch if the acting weren't so good. Lemmon rightfully won a Best Actor Oscar for this. He's just incredible! You see him struggling to survive and dreaming about the good old days. Jack Gilford matches him as a business associate. In fact he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor--but didn't win. Also Thayer Davis is just wonderful in his two short scenes as Charlie Robbins. He doesn't move a muscle on his face but you can't stop watching him. This is not for everybody. It's slow and bleak with very little of a plot--also it bombed in theatres. But, for acting alone, this is a must-see. I give it a 7.
This isn't a plot driven movie--it's more of a character study than anything else. It's a slow movie and I found the observations in the script pretty obvious (but they may not have been in 1972). Also it's depressing seeing what Stoner has to do to succeed. This would probably be unbearable to watch if the acting weren't so good. Lemmon rightfully won a Best Actor Oscar for this. He's just incredible! You see him struggling to survive and dreaming about the good old days. Jack Gilford matches him as a business associate. In fact he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor--but didn't win. Also Thayer Davis is just wonderful in his two short scenes as Charlie Robbins. He doesn't move a muscle on his face but you can't stop watching him. This is not for everybody. It's slow and bleak with very little of a plot--also it bombed in theatres. But, for acting alone, this is a must-see. I give it a 7.