The Odd Couple: Centennial Collection (Gene Saks, 1968)

Region 1 Paramount (USA)
NTSC, 2.35:1 16x9 enhanced
105 minutes
Audio: DD 5.1 English, DD 2.0 mono French, DD 2.0 mono Spanish
Subtitles: Optional English, French, Spanish
Extras: audio commentary by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon; In the Beginning...; Matthau & Lemmon; Memories from the Set; Inside The Odd Couple; The Odd Couple: A Classic; theatrical trailer; stills galleries

Released: 24 March 2009

Paramount Pictures is re-releasing some of its beloved catalog titles in new Centennial Collection editions to celebrate the studio’s 100th birthday. The Odd Couple carries the Number 7 on its spine.

The Odd Couple is widely-known as a comedy, so I sat down for my first viewing expecting uproarious laughs. After all, I had seen Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in other comedies, and they were hilarious. However, I found myself wincing a lot, not because the jokes fell flat but because I didn’t notice any jokes at all. I didn’t even feel that there was a lot of irony or black humor. To me, the movie is serious stuff.

Felix Ungar (Lemmon), an obsessive-compulsive, has suicidal thoughts when his wife wants a divorce. Although Felix clearly loves his wife, he’s also correcting and picking up after her. Oscar Madison (Matthau) is Felix’s best friend but also a complete slob. Oscar invites Felix to stay with him, but the polar opposites clash repeatedly.

Although I’m rather fastidious myself and wouldn’t be able to stand staying in Oscar’s apartment for more than ten minutes, it was clear that Felix has severe psychological problems. Oscar is only trying to help Felix, but he’s driven out of his wits. During the climactic argument between the two, I actually thought that Oscar might hurt Felix.

The Odd Couple reminded me of an article in The New York Times about how people aren’t usually laughing because they’re happy; rather, people usually laugh because they’re nervous or uncomfortable. The couple of times that I chuckled during the movie were due to nervousness and discomfort. The laugh-out-loud and broad comedic elements (such as Felix loudly clearing his sinuses) were irritating and out-of-place.

Some moments that were clearly designed to be comedic highlights simply played like straight drama to me. For example, one might imagine the sequence with Felix and Oscar on a double date with two British women would solicit hearty laughter, but the hesitation and desperation felt genuine; emotionally-impacted people frequently are hesitant and desperate in awkward social situations. What I’ll always remember about this movie is the pain and frustration of people who mean well but can’t find a compromise.

Video:
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen image is a pleasant surprise. Although there is a thin layer of dust during some scenes, the transfer boasts rich, vibrant (albeit naturalistic) hues and a high level of detail for a standard-definition transfer. Expect to see some grain typical of productions from the 1960s, which is actually rather beautiful and textured.

Audio:
The DD 5.1 English audio track is yet another glorified mono mix. Most of the sonic activity emanates from the front center speaker, though what one gets is of decent quality. None of the audio elements sound thin, hollow, or brittle, which is important considering how dialogue-heavy the production is.

Extras:
--Disc 1--
The only extra on Disc 1 is an audio commentary by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon, the sons of the movie’s leads. The fathers were lifelong friends, so the sons have many anecdotes to share about the actors’ numerous collaborations.

--Disc 2--
“In the Beginning...”, “Matthau & Lemmon”, “Memories from the Set”, “Inside The Odd Couple”, and “The Odd Couple: A Classic” are featurettes that cover a broad range of topics from the story’s origins as a theatrical play inspired by a real-life pairing of mis-matched personalities to the filmmakers’ and fans’ appreciation of the movie version.

You also get a theatrical trailer and several stills galleries.

--Miscellaneous--
The discs are kept in a slim double keepcase. You also get a booklet and a cardboard slipcover.