What is it about cantankerous octogenarians and spiteful septuagenarians that we find so amusing in movies? Place one of these cranky codgers in our homes and we’re ready to move out. Place one on the movie screen, and we’re entertained for a couple of hours.
Cinematically, irascible old people have been screen stooges since the days of silent movies. Actors such as Edgar Kennedy and Margaret Dumont made careers of such roles and were great foils for Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and the Marx Brothers.
In recent decades, however, the role of the ornery old person has gone from being second bananas to main character. As the baby boomers gray and head into their silver years, curmudgeons have also been taken in a somewhat of a more serious light.
What follows are a few of the films featuring grumbling geezers that are available on home video:
“Wrestling Ernest Hemingway” (1994): Richard Harris and Robert Duvall provide wonderful performances as an Irish sea captain and a Cuban barber who strike up a volatile relationship in a small Florida town. Although magically drawn to each other, the two men wrestle with their relationship, in a sense fighting the idea they are now in their golden years. A rich and significant film that also stars Shirley MacLaine, Piper Laurie and Sandra Bullock as Harris’ and Duvall’s love interests. Directed by Randa Haines (“Children of a Lesser God”).
“Grumpy Old Men” (1993): Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were great as grumpy young men in “The Old Couple” and “The Fortune Cookie,” but tend to lose a little of that steam in this amusing story by director Donald Petrie (“Mystic Pizza”). The pair play widower neighbors who find themselves feuding for the attention of new resident Ann-Margret. A great cast includes Burgess Meredith, Ossie Davis, Kevin Pollak, Daryl Hannah and Buck Henry.
“Tatie Danielle” (1991): This French black comedy by director Etienne Chatiliez tells the story of a cranky old woman who becomes a widow and then inflicts pure hell on her sweet-natured family. A fairly bizarre but somewhat riveting film that provides a lot of belly laughs. It stars Tsilla Chelton in the title role. In French with English subtitles.
“Ghost Story” (1981): John Houseman, Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., play four New England curmudgeons who are literally haunted to death by a murder they committed a half-century earlier. A spooky but somewhat anti-climatic ghost tale based on the book by Peter Straub and directed by John Irvin.
“Harry and Tonto” (1974): Art Carney nailed an Oscar for his role as a 70-something New York City man who packs up his cat, Tonto, and hits the road for a trip to California. Director Paul Mazursky offers a nice blend of drama, comedy and romance without overwhelming emotion. A wonderful episodic adventure anchored by Carney’s bittersweet character. Also starring Ellen Burstyn, Chief Dan George and Larry Hagman.
“The Sunshine Boys” (1975): A very funny and somewhat poignant Neil Simon comedy that has you chuckling long after you’ve viewed this film. George Burns and an aged-up Matthau play two former vaudevillians who have been feuding for decades but are convinced to reunite for a television special. The barbs are extremely funny as is the give-and-take between Burns and Matthau. This film was the comeback for Burns, now 98 years old. Directed by Herbert Ross, who also did several other Simon films, including “The Goodbye Girl” and “California Suite.”
“I Never Sang for My Father” (1970): Melvyn Douglas plays a domineering but aging father to 40-year-old Gene Hackman, who must figure out how to care for the old man. A powerful but dismal coming-of-age movie.
“Broth of a Boy” (1959): In this enjoyable British comedy, Barry Fitzgerald plays the oldest man in the world, and a crotchety one at that. Content to celebrate another birthday in his quiet Irish village, Fitzgerald finds himself being wooed by TV producer Tony Wright to air his celebration on national television.
“Hobson’s Choice” (1954): Charles Laughton gives a startling performance in this British comedy as a crotchety old 1890s shoemaker who refuses to give up control of his three daughters.
