First off, I must show an obvious bias toward this movie.  The setting is Wabasha, Minnesota.  It IS NOT a fictional place.  It is located about halfway between St. Paul, MN and LaCrosse, WI on US-61, which is one of the most scenic highways in America, especially in the autumn.  My mother was raised in Wabasha, and my late father born and raised 15 miles away in Lake City, which is where my mother lives today. It is where I actually call my "home away from home." So of course, there are many aspects of the movie I can personally relate to, like the real Slippery's in Wabasha, which in real life is much classier than a throw-your-peanut-shells-on-the-floor tavern.  The people living in this area are very down to earth and friendly, and for many, fishing and snowmobiling in winter is a way of life as portrayed in this movie.  The city of Wabasha (population 2600) has so exploited the "grumpy flicks" they now host a Grumpy Old Men Festival every February!  How cool is that???

Now considering these facts, Max Goldman (played by Walter Matthau) and John Gustafson (played by Jack Lemmon) truly exemplify the persona of real life in Wabasha, with the twist being these two very schmucky widowers who having known each other since childhood, living next door to each other most of their lives, and still have NEVER gotten along with each other. That's when the lovely Ariel Truax (played by Ann Margaret) moves into the house across the street while accepting a faculty position at Winona State University (where my late father actually went to college) some 30 miles away. This sends the two "grumpys" into an infatuated tizzy, and they both put on their best impression in schmoozing her, with the grumpy old man Gustafson finally winning out. The movie is complete with off-the-wall pranks and schmucky humor, and John Gustafson's dad (played by Burgess Meredith), in his second-to-last acting role, is an absolute scream with his antics. Some of the language contained herein is rather vulgar, and I would not recommend anyone younger than age 17 to watch it unless with a parent.  A wonderful romantic comedy to be enjoyed over and over again!
First off, I must show an obvious bias toward this movie. The setting is Wabasha, Minnesota. It IS NOT a fictional place. It is located about halfway between St. Paul, MN and LaCrosse, WI on US-61, which is one of the most scenic highways in America, especially in the autumn. My mother was raised in Wabasha, and my late father born and raised 15 miles away in Lake City, which is where my mother lives today. It is where I actually call my "home away from home. " So of course, there are many aspects of the movie I can personally relate to, like the real Slippery's in Wabasha, which in real life is much classier than a throw-your-peanut-shells-on-the-floor tavern. The people living in this area are very down to earth and friendly, and for many, fishing and snowmobiling in winter is a way of life as portrayed in this movie. The city of Wabasha (population 2600) has so exploited the "grumpy flicks" they now host a Grumpy Old Men Festival every February! How cool is that??? Now considering these facts, Max Goldman (played by Walter Matthau) and John Gustafson (played by Jack Lemmon) truly exemplify the persona of real life in Wabasha, with the twist being these two very schmucky widowers who having known each other since childhood, living next door to each other most of their lives, and still have NEVER gotten along with each other. That's when the lovely Ariel Truax (played by Ann Margaret) moves into the house across the street while accepting a faculty position at Winona State University (where my late father actually went to college) some 30 miles away. This sends the two "grumpys" into an infatuated tizzy, and they both put on their best impression in schmoozing her, with the grumpy old man Gustafson finally winning out. The movie is complete with off-the-wall pranks and schmucky humor, and John Gustafson's dad (played by Burgess Meredith), in his second-to-last acting role, is an absolute scream with his antics. Some of the language contained herein is rather vulgar, and I would not recommend anyone younger than age 17 to watch it unless with a parent. A wonderful romantic comedy to be enjoyed over and over again!