{"id":85165,"date":"2022-07-02T22:05:24","date_gmt":"2022-07-03T05:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85165"},"modified":"2022-07-03T08:20:56","modified_gmt":"2022-07-03T15:20:56","slug":"sunshine-boys-the-1975","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85165","title":{"rendered":"Sunshine Boys, The (1975)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;He forgot already; he&#8217;s got arthritis of the head.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Poster-191x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"191\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-85166\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Poster-191x300.png 191w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Poster-82x128.png 82w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Poster-172x270.png 172w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Poster.png 533w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 191px) 100vw, 191px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAn agent (Richard Benjamin) in New York tries to convince his uncle &#8212; aging vaudeville star Willy Clark (Walter Matthau) &#8212; to do one final show with his former partner, Al Lewis (George Burns); but given that Willy and Al despise each other, this is much more challenging than expected.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Elderly People<\/li>\n<li>Feuds<\/li>\n<li>George Burns Films<\/li>\n<li>Has-Beens<\/li>\n<li>Herbert Ross Films<\/li>\n<li>Neil Simon Films<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptations<\/li>\n<li>Richard Benjamin Films<\/li>\n<li>Vaudeville and Burlesque<\/li>\n<li>Walter Matthau Films <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nHerbert Ross directed this adaptation by Neil Simon of his own <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Sunshine_Boys\">1972 stage play<\/a>, about quibbling vaudeville performers whose resentment of one another makes it just about impossible for them to co-exist in the same room for more than a few minutes, let alone perform on stage in a revue. However, a reunion performance is exactly the goal of Benjamin&#8217;s determined agent and loving nephew, who puts up with outrageous levels of abuse and frustration from his uncle in order to get the performing couple back together &#8212; and unfortunately, we see this playing out on screen for far too long. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You-1024x573.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You-482x270.png 482w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-to-You.png 1299w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With that said, Matthau is remarkably effective at playing a cantankerous elder (despite only being 55 in real life), and Burns makes an impactful screen comeback after 36 years away (he won an Oscar for his efforts). Seeing the fictional duo finally performing their &#8220;doctor&#8217;s office&#8221; act on stage during a rehearsal is a welcome throwback to the simplicity of the joy they once enacted for audiences as vaudevillians: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch-1024x568.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"355\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch-1024x568.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch-487x270.png 487w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Sketch.png 1289w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; though of course we watch them with trepidation, knowing things will inevitably go sour at some point. This comedy is likely one of those films that will either tickle your funny bone or not: if it&#8217;s your cup of tea, you&#8217;ll be delighted; personally, I was simply eager to not have to watch this duo making each others&#8217; lives miserable for any longer than necessary. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Walter Matthau as Willy Clark<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2-1024x577.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2-479x270.png 479w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Matthau2.png 1291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>George Burns as Al Lewis<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Burns.png 1295w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Good use of location shooting in New York<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge-1024x571.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"357\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge-1024x571.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge-484x270.png 484w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Bridge.png 1297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>The amusingly vulgar vaudeville sketch<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse-1024x574.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-85171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse-1024x574.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse-768x430.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse-482x270.png 482w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Sunshine-Boys-Nurse.png 1287w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, unless you&#8217;re a fan of Simon, Matthau, or Burns. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0073766\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s4828boys.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1975\/11\/07\/archives\/simons-comic-sunshine-boys-opens.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/the-sunshine-boys\/review\/2030282045\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/3300\/the-sunshine-boys#articles-reviews?articleId=86476\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;He forgot already; he&#8217;s got arthritis of the head.&#8221; Synopsis: An agent (Richard Benjamin) in New York tries to convince his uncle &#8212; aging vaudeville star Willy Clark (Walter Matthau) &#8212; to do one final show with his former partner, Al Lewis (George Burns); but given that Willy and Al despise each other, this is much more challenging than expected. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Comedy Elderly People Feuds George Burns Films Has-Beens Herbert Ross Films Neil Simon Films Play&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=85165\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85165"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85189,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85165\/revisions\/85189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}