The Fortune Cookie

The movie was entertaining but I was just expecting more especially in light of the cast. I guess it finally got to a point where I had to finish because I was vested. I would only recommend for those really big... Full review

First of all, no one in these days of alleged Higher Sensitivity (often just a form of lowered sincerity) is ever going to even try to match the honest cynicism of Matthau's character, and that's a pity 'cause he's hysterical. Second... Full review

In The Fortune Cookie, Billy Wilder took on the great American legal system and twisted a lot of laughs out of it. It's the underside of the great American dream, sue someone with deep pockets and you can be a... Full review

When THE FORTUNE COOKIE came out in 1965 it proved a remarkably successful comedy. Of course it was directed by Billy Wilder, still at or near the height of his film career with a string of great successes from THE... Full review

There are some lagging gaps in the film, but overall this is a delightfully written comedy, with clever ideas, good jokes and colourful supporting characters. Walter Matthau won an Oscar for his flamboyant role in the film, and he has... Full review

"The Fortune Cookie" is a light, lovable con/slapstick film about Harry Hinkle (Jack Lemmon), a sports cameraman who is accidentally knocked down by NFL star Boom Boom Jackson (Ron Rich) at a football game. Hinkle suffers a minor concussion but... Full review

Finally caught it on TCM yesterday, and was able to watch it "fresh," compared to "The Odd Couple" or "The Front Page," which one might already know all about.A fine study in contrasts at work here; Matthau, as the shyster... Full review

One of these days I am going to watch a bad Billy Wilder movie...so far I have not even come close. Each year we observe the passing of great talents (this year, 2003 has seen an extrordinary number of death),... Full review

Amazingly original and intelligent comedy by Billy Wilder that has CBS cameraman Jack Lemmon injured one day by a football player while covering a Cleveland Browns game. Lemmon is rushed off the field and to the hospital but other than... Full review

If I had to buy a single movie showing Walter Matthau's genius as an actor, this may be the one, for as good as Jack Lemmon always is in a movie, Walter shines here as the shyster brother-in-law lawyer, and... Full review

Though it unfolds with sitcom logic, Matthau in particular gives an outstanding performance, loading up his grandstanding with quietly hilarious little moments. ... Full Review

Which is not to say that The Fortune Cookie isn't blunt and cynical. But The Fortune Cookie was their first, and it's almost as good. this film may be more relevant now than it was the day it was made ... Full Review

Despite some minor flaws, THE FORTUNE COOKIE is a very satisfying film.....LaShelle's frankly unattractive cinematography is entirely appropriate to the unsavory goings-on.....A very funny film, this morality tale is a deft mixture of cynicism, wit and idealism as only writer-director Wilder could do it.....The screenplay by Wilder and Diamond sparkles with the dark satiric cynicism for which they are famous....Lemmon and especially Matthau--who deservedly won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role--are ... Full Review

The supporting cast is fine, the direction economical, and the great Andre Previn's score works a real treat. This film set the pattern for future Lemmon-Matthau films and I would firmly contend that while the subsequent features are certainly in parts very funny, none surpasses the consistent excellence of this true gem of American film comedy. ... Full Review

The first half of The Fortune Cookie is predictable fun, mainly for the pleasure of seeing just how crass and conniving Walter Matthau can get. The Fortune Cookie sends mixed messages: people are both rotten and adorable, swindlers are great fun, and ethical behavior is for losers. ... Full Review

Original screenplay is by Wilder, paired for seventh time with I.A.L. Diamond. Plot turns on the complications following TV cameraman Lemmon's accidental injury at the hands of grid star Ron Rich. ... Full Article