53
Metascore
16 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80The New York TimesThe New York TimesGrumpy Old Men is the kind of holiday movie a lot of people are searching for. It's cheerful, it's well under two hours and it doesn't concern any major social blights, unless you think Jack Lemmon tossing a dead fish into Walter Matthau's car is cause for alarm.
- 75ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliGrumpy Old Men works more often than not. It's an example of a frothy, good-natured holiday picture that adults can relax and enjoy. As a comedy, the movie contains enough fresh humor to keep the laughs coming.
- 70Washington PostWashington PostIn today's mouse-toting, instant-gratification world, this kind of old-fashioned, character-driven slapstick is wonderfully incompatible. It's a grumpy last hurrah.
- 67Entertainment WeeklyTy BurrEntertainment WeeklyTy BurrRelaxed, valedictory, exquisitely titled, Grumpy Old Men feels like an odd couple's last hurrah.
- 63TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineAll things considered, Grumpy Old Men might have fared better re-worked as a domestic drama that took full advantage of its talented cast, with the lame funnybone attempts left, like the ubiquitous dead fish, buried in the backseat.
- 63Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneTwo old people doing old people things, talking about old people stuff, and eating old people food. Sound interesting? Grumpy Old Men is a film that manages to be one of the scariest things I have ever seen. [28 Jan 1994, p.L]
- 50Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe movie is too pat and practiced to really be convincing, and the progress of Ariel's relationships with the two grumps seems dictated mostly by the needs of the screenplay. But Matthau and Lemmon are fun to see together, if for no other reason than just for the essence of their beings.
- 50Boston GlobeJay CarrBoston GlobeJay CarrThe trouble with Grumpy Old Men is the patronizing attitude -- ageism, really -- that takes a too-broad approach to their geriatric world and renders it plastic. It is too cute and sanitized to allow its performers much in the way of opportunity.
- 40EmpireEmpireWatching Matthau and Lemmon in this vehicle is sometimes hard to stomach after knowing that they are worthy of so much more. Instead of making anyone laugh all it's poor, cheap comedy does is make you cringe for these respectable actors.
- 30Austin ChronicleAustin ChronicleGrumpy Old Men is supposed to be about how love reinvents life and I'm not even really sure where it gets lost, but it ends up going nowhere.