#130: The Odd Couple

Release Date: May 2nd, 1968

Format: Streaming (Prime)

Written by: Neil Simon

Directed by: Gene Saks

4 Stars

It’s incredible how a modest, lived-in comedy from over fifty years ago can feel so fresh, (and borderline radical) today. 

There’s such warmth in these great actors’ faces, and the camera brings you right to them to revel in their cigar smoke and funny one-liners and wry smiles. 

The plot is simple enough: Felix Unger’s wife has left him, and his good buddy Oscar Madison has agreed to take him in. But the two roommates are quickly at each other's throats: Felix is fastidious and neurotic; Oscar is an absent-minded slob. 

And the audience is the third roommate. We’re right there, shacked up with these two opposites and a funny cast of supporting characters that will stop by for a visit, but are all too happy to leave as soon as they can. 

I loved the simplicity of director Gene Saks’ vision for the film. His camera placements and movements are incredibly simple, framing the action as Neil Simon probably did for his stage version.  Saks shoots Oscar’s apartment with a three-wall set up that looks more familiar to sitcom television than it does film. Even in its time I bet it seemed a bit rudimentary, but ironically, I think that simplistic set up has become more daring in 2025. It strips away any sort of camera or director presence and instead puts these great comic actors’ talents front and center.

Today, in an age where nervous studio execs will “punch-up” feature film comedy scripts and workshop and audience-test everything to death before its release, The Odd Couple basks proudly in its wisdom that if you just relax and get out of the way, a funny writer and funny performers will make you laugh.