"Save the Tiger" is not a particularly enjoyable film. It's all about people who, frankly, are pretty shallow and often despicable. Yet, I cannot dismiss the film completely, as it is an interesting character study. And, in many ways it's an 'anti-Hollywood film' that just happened to be filmed there! The film is about a guy in his mid-40s (Jack Lemmon) who is, at least on the surface, successful. However, he is disaffected with life. His marriage has grown cold and daughter has moved out--and his only life appears to be his job. As for the job, he's only a few steps away from bankruptcy and is willing to do just about ANYTHING to keep his business above water....and I do mean anything. And, to justify this to his ambivalent partner (Jack Guilford), he comes up with 1001 excuses to make doing evil seem necessary and even acceptable. He's a pathetic and rather despicable soul that appears headed for a nervous breakdown. And, in a HUGE departure from the norm for Hollywood, the film ends with nothing resolved and Lemmon even more lost and unlikable than ever. And, because he's a soulless jerk, you may not even care that he's left this way.
So why watch this film? After all, it's quite unpleasant. Well, for most viewers I don't think there is a reason to see it, actually. But, Lemmon gave a dynamite performance (and he received the Oscar for it) and some middle-aged folks might just be able to relate to him and his life situation. As for me, I am about the same age as his character and the film actually affirmed to me how good my life is compared to his! I am sure that is NOT the purpose of the film--to make me say "wow, his life sucks and mine is so much better!".
By the way, I should offer a BIG WARNING--This is a very adult film. While there's no nudity, the subject matter is very adult and the language VERY harsh. It was not surprising hearing Lemmon talk that way (after all, I saw him in "Glengarry, Glen Ross") but seeing the usually sweet Guilford dropping F-bombs amazed me, as I grew up seeing him playing nothing but sweet characters (like the Cracker Jack guy). So, you are forewarned.
So why watch this film? After all, it's quite unpleasant. Well, for most viewers I don't think there is a reason to see it, actually. But, Lemmon gave a dynamite performance (and he received the Oscar for it) and some middle-aged folks might just be able to relate to him and his life situation. As for me, I am about the same age as his character and the film actually affirmed to me how good my life is compared to his! I am sure that is NOT the purpose of the film--to make me say "wow, his life sucks and mine is so much better!".
By the way, I should offer a BIG WARNING--This is a very adult film. While there's no nudity, the subject matter is very adult and the language VERY harsh. It was not surprising hearing Lemmon talk that way (after all, I saw him in "Glengarry, Glen Ross") but seeing the usually sweet Guilford dropping F-bombs amazed me, as I grew up seeing him playing nothing but sweet characters (like the Cracker Jack guy). So, you are forewarned.