Search - Out to Sea on DVD

Kimberly B. (TheBookHunter) from SALEM, OH
Reviewed on 11/2/2008...

really cute/ funny movie, Jack & walter really were great on screen together.

2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Two Greats Shine One Last Time

Lisa Shea | 06/18/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You've got a number of stars in this comedy! Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon star as a pair of friends who go to sea as Gentlemen Escorts to find new romance. In essence they are free dance partners for the many single woman on board.



Jack promptly falls for Vivian (Gloria DeHaven) as a true romance, while Walter Matthau schemes to seduce a younger woman (Dyan Cannon) who appears wealthy and single. The ship is the Holland Westerdam, an actual luxury cruise ship. You get to see a lot of scenes on the ship - from the pool area, the restaurant, the ballroom and the deck.



I really loved the smaller parts played by Hal Linden and especially Brent Spiner. The "Data" from Star Trek really shines here as the commanding cruise director.



What makes the movie so special is that, in its release year of 1997, you had Lemmon being 71 years old, and Matthau being 77. The two men are still great actors. It gives you a great sense of how vibrant old age can be, if you keep your mind and body healthy. Sadly, both have since passed away, so this movie is a collector's item.



What was even more surprising to me is how young Dyan Cannon looks. I loved her in Deathtrap, and while I watched this movie I thought she was a great actress but way too young for the Matthau character. I kept thinking of him as a cradle robber. Actually, she was born in 1937 - so she was 50 in the movie! In comparison, Gloria was 72.



So in general, this was a cast with a lot of experience, that shows a great movie can be made without having to rely on teen starlets or the latest handsome face.



Highly recommended!"

Amusing but not "The Odd Couple"

John A Lee III | San Antonio, TX | 04/24/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau work well together. They are amusing and seem to be able to sense how to react together without having to think about. That quality is present in "Out to Sea" but it is not enough to carry the weight of the entire film.



The premise is one of two elderly genltemen without wives. One is a batchelor and schemer and the other is a widower who is straight laced. Neither are what could be called wealthy. The schemer cons his friend (and former brother in law) into taking a cruise. The htich is that he has signed them up to work as professional dance partners to dance with the ladies. When this comes to light, Mr. Straight hits the ceiling and is ready to leave. Unfortunately the ship has already left and he is stuck working or paying a huge bill. The schemer has a reason for his deception, however. He is looking to get a wealthy wife. His friend has no such ambitions.



The plot is one with much potential for comedy. Indeed, there are plenty of moments for smiles and laughs. So too are there more tender moments that can tug at the heartstrings. The problem is that it just doesn't hold together was well as it could. Though each of the stars does a good job, more could have been done with the script.



"Out to Sea" is certainly worth the price of admission. The question is whether it is worthy of repeat performances.



"

Lemmon and Matthau make the best of a weak script

Movie Mania | Southern Calfornia | 05/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are considered one of the great film teams. Their partnership created 11 films (one film Walter starred in Jack directed and two films they both appeared in but were not the costars) over 32 years and created the one of the most beloved pairings, Oscar Madison and Felix Unger.



Out to Sea was the 10th film and it is a rehash of many of their other films (together and apart). Herb (Lemmon) is a widower. Charlie (Matthau) is his brother-in-law. Just as Oscar and Felix, Herb and Jack are opposites. Charlie has gotten into some trouble with loan sharks and needs to get away for a while. He decides to take a cruise and takes his brother in law along.



The thing that he doesn't tell him is the reason it is free is that they are to be dance hosts. And there is one strict rule that they are not to fraternize with the paying guests. But Charlie is planning to catch himself a rich widow. And on the airplane Herb meets a beautiful widow (Gloria DeHaven). But Charlie introduces Herb as his doctor. Herb runs into her, of course, on the boat and tries to keep up his cover.



Charlie stumbles into a state room and meets an heiress (Dyan Cannon) and her mother (Elaine Strich.) Of course Charlie goes after the daughter. And the cruise director (Brent Spiner) is trying to catch the boys.



There is a lot of deception going on but it is not just the boys. In the end the boys get the girls and we have a happy ending.



Jack and Walter are masters of their craft. And while this film is as creaky as they come, the cast make it work. Dyan Cannon gives one of her best performances (probably since her Oscar nominated work in Heaven Can Wait.) And it is great to see Gloria DeHaven back in front of the cameras - and looking fabulous! Donald O'Connor gets to show he still can dance as one of the host along with Hal Linden. Golden Girl Rue McClannahan also makes an appearance as the owner of the ship.



As I have said before a bad Lemmon Matthau film is better than most other films.



DVD EXTRAS: None

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