Out to Sea

A competent comedy that delivers the laughs for fans of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. I suppose this film was made for those who enjoyed the two GRUMPY OLD MEN films, as there seemed to be a bunch of these buddy team-ups spotlighting the comical duo in their twilight years. The idea is a sure-fire one: Matthau, a bumbling gambler who's thousands of dollars in debt, connives his unsuspecting friend Lemmon into taking a free cruise with him where they can meet rich old ladies; the catch is, they've been signed on as Dance Hosts and Matthau can't dance. OUT TO SEA is a funny film, and not all of the chuckles are to be found courtesy of Lemmon and Matthau. I found Brent Spiner (best known as Data from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION) to be very humorous as the snobby ball-busting dance coordinator. As the prissy boss of the two aging actors, he manages to match them in the laughs department. Though the film doesn't really need any, there's also a a love story or two to be found here as well, involving Dyan Cannon (who looks pretty fine for her years). *** out of ****

There isn't much to say about this film. It is entertaining, and was not made with the intent of winning any major awards, but just to make people laugh. Most of the humor works quite well too. It is very reminiscent of Lemmon and Matthau's other projects together THE ODD COUPLE II and Lemmon's solo with James Garner MY FELLOW AMERICANS.

The film has divine originality as the plot has not been done before; but the story has its share of cliches. The dance host director (played by Brent Spiner) who has the honor of taking on the "bad guy villain" role of this film is quite laughable, but still acceptable. The film goes from depressing to funny as hell and makes you forget your life for a while.

Quite a good comeback for the Grumpys. Well worth watching. I recommend you see GRUMPY OLD MEN, THE ODD COUPLE II and MY FELLOW AMERICANS.

OUT TO SEA: 4/5.

I found this movie to be quite good. Although some people call this movie the "Grumpy Old Men And The Sea" it is hilarious at the right moments and soft at others. Matthau and Lemmon are two great actors and if you like one or both of them, be sure not to miss this film.

Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, both of whom are sadly missed, proved once again that they were a team dedicated to their craft of bringing hilarious moments to the screen. This film is just another example of this.

This time out they play two brothers-in-law who land on a ship as dance instructors on board.

Of course, their boss is a perfectionist and miserable person named Gil Godwin who just enjoys harassing these boys. It's hilarious how Lemmon gives a quick lesson in dancing to Matthau and how the latter dances a riotous rumba with the boat's owner Rue McLanahan.

Too bad that fellow dance instructors Hal Linden and Donald O'Connor are given so little to do but their parts call for that. Matthau falls for Dyan Cannon, on board with her fellow gold-digging mother, the usual outrageous Elaine Stritch. Unknown to them, Matthau has no money either. The widower Lemmon falls for Gloria De Haven, looking lovelier than ever.

The film belongs to Matthau and Lemmon and will serve as a further tribute to their illustrious careers.

Walter Matthau plays Charlie Gordon who cons his widower brother-in-law Herb Sullivan (Jack Lemmon) into a cruise in search of rich and lonely ladies.What he doesn't tell Herb is that they have to be dance hosts. Out to Sea from 1997 is a comedy with excellent actors.There are great performances from Elaine Stritch, Dyan Cannon, Gloria DeHaven, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Harris, Hal Linden and Donald O'Connor.Lemmon and Matthau make a great team in the lead.This movie would be much worse without them.This legendary couple saves the movie.They're both dead now.Matthau died July 1st 2000 and Lemmon June 27th 2001.These two made us laugh in so many movies.The world of comedy lost a lot with them.So thanks for the laughs you two.We will miss you very much.