Grumpier Old Men
This was Burgess Meredith's last film. He died of complications of Alzheimer's disease on September 9, 1997. He showed symptoms at the time of this movie's filming, and had to be coached during each scene in which he appeared. Meredith's acting talents are evident despite his failing mental faculties.,In the first movie Grandpa Gustafson says he's 94 years old. In the second movie he says he just turned 95. So less than a year has passed but somehow Melanie's daughter Allie aged 3 or 4 years.,Grandpa Gustafson: What the... what the hell is this?
John Gustafson: That's lite beer.
Grandpa Gustafson: Gee, I weigh ninety goddamn pounds, and you bring me this sloppin' foam?
John Gustafson: Ariel's got me on a diet because the doc said my cholestorol's a little too high.
Grandpa Gustafson: Well let me tell you something now, Johnny. Last Thursday, I turned 95 years old. And I never exercised a day in my life. Every morning, I wake up, and I smoke a cigarette. And then I eat five strips of bacon. And for lunch, I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack?,Outtakes also show Walter Matthau and 'Jack Lemmon' both forgetting their lines, including the names of their characters' respective love interests.,Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Dead Man Walking/Cutthroat Island/Sudden Death/Grumpier Old Men/Restoration/Waiting to Exhale (1995),(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You
Written by Spo-De-Odee
Performed by Louis Armstrong and Louis Jordan
Courtesy of MCA Records,While "Grumpy" was enjoyable, I think "Grumpier" is the better overall movie. More attention is given to the supporting characters, the plot is slightly more complex, the lines are better, the jokes are better, and Lemmon and Matthau once again give excellent performances. Granted, this still isn't as good as it could be, but I think it's a noticeable step up from the original. I really don't get all the negativity toward it... come on, people, it's just a silly comedy. Lighten up.

Speaking of negativity, another reviewer, whom I won't name here (oh all right, it's John Ulmer), seems to think this movie is nothing more than a "shouting match," and is concerned about the age difference between the Old Men and their lady friends. I disagree on both points. The dialogue doesn't have as much shouting this time around, and Matthau's girl is most certainly NOT "fortysomething." Believe it or not, she was 61 at the time, and I must say it's quite amazing how good she looks for a woman her age (Matthau was 75--a pretty big age difference, true, but I can't imagine there's a lot of men to choose from when you're single and in your 60s!). I hate to chastise another reviewer like this, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

So in conclusion... it's a good movie. Doesn't deserve its bad rap.

7/10 stars.,