The Odd Couple really is a great movie. Some of its initial themes of suicide and heartbreak really stand the test of time, and while the humor is altogether far too dry and expositional for most modern tastes, there are still laughs to be had. But unfortunately, as a whole the movie hasn’t dated well.
Unlike more dramatic films of the same era, the film suffers greatly when viewed from a modern perspective. The slow pacing of the comedy and the squeaky-clean manner the would-be vulgar characters sets it firmly in a time unknown to the younger generation. While other, more socially and politically pointed films of the 1960s have perhaps only become more relevant, The Odd Couple has only been hurt by the passage of time. It doesn’t show how comedy has evolved over the years, as it’s cemented so distinctly in a bygone era, and its dramatic elements simply aren’t featured strongly enough to justify the movie on the whole.
It’s a shame, really, as given a bit more time observing Felix and Oscar’s relationship in the context of Felix’s lost marriage would’ve really given the film much more longevity. In any case, it’s worth seeing at least once as it’s a great movie. So don’t be surprised if, when it’s over, you let out a healthy, “Huh, yeah that was pretty good. Yeah.”
Audio languages include English 5.1, French, Spanish; the same is true for the subtitles. Why this “Centennial Collection,” was rer-eleased on standard DVD instead of Blu-ray is a mystery. Regardless, the film looks pretty great for a 40-year-old comedy on standard definition.
DVD Bonus Features
The audio commentary by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon is slow and has little to do with the movie; there are even long bits where no one’s talking. To make matters worse, they’re both pretty much indistinguishable from one another, telling jokes and stories. I just wish I cared at all. And now the featurettes:
"In the Beginning…"
Lasting seventeen minutes, Larry King, Brad Garrett, director Gene Saks and the cast talk about stuff that’s obvious.
"Inside the Odd Couple"
Running for nineteen minutes, it's maddening because it's clear the featurettes were all done at the same time, cut from the same interviews with the same people, and sectioned off into quite stupid segments, sometimes running less than a few minutes. Old people gushing about old, dead people.
"Memories from the Set"
Exactly what it sounds like, this piece is thoroughly uninteresting. At one point Gene Saks tells a story about a bit Jack Lemmon improvised, and then at the end realizes it may have actually been scripted.
"The Odd Couple – A Classic"
The same eight people, once again praising the film. There’s even some completely identical footage from "In the Beginning…"
Galleries
Production and The Movie: A couple dozen archived pics, one set showing the crew in action, and the other simply showing stills from the movie. Mildly interesting.
Theatrical trailer
A horribly aged trailer with a hilarious narrator. Gives away way too many gags.
There’s also a booklet with the same boring, arbitrary pic of Lemmon and Matthau from the front of the slipcase, the spine of the slipcase, the front of the DVD case, the spine of the DVD case, and the front menus of both discs. Seeing the same still image six times before starting the movie bores DVD buyers to tears, Paramount. Trust me on this.
"The Odd Couple: The Centennial Collection" is on sale March 24, 2009 and is rated G. Comedy. Directed by Gene Saks. Written by Neil Simon. Starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau.
