The Fortune Cookie

A film review by Christopher Null - Copyright © 2001 Filmcritic.com

This very funny Billy Wilder comedy actually stands as the first on-screen pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and Matthau took home a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Whiplash Willie, a shyster attorney who convinces his cameraman brother-in-law (Lemmon) to sue the NFL when he's injured a football game, exaggerating his injuries. A bit long (over two hours), but Wilder's use of title cards to present numbered "chapters" keeps things moving along pretty well. The banter between Lemmon and Matthau is, as always, priceless.

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Rating

4.0 out of 5 Stars

Cast and Crew

  • Director: Billy Wilder
  • Producer: Billy Wilder
  • Screenwriter: I.A.L. Diamond, Billy Wilder
  • Stars: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ron Rich, Judi West, Cliff Osmond, Lurene Tuttle, Harry Holcombe
  • MPAA Rating: NR