Return to Filmography

The teleplay was adapted by Neil Simon from one of his most lovable plays, dealing with the attempts of a young actors' agent to re-unite his uncle, veteran vaudevillian Willy Clark with his aging partner Al Lewis. Of course, the two don't talk to each other and hate each other's guts ("I don't hate him, I just can't stand him"). The attempts to bring the two together bring some truly classic scenes, with two truly classic actors, Peter Falk and Woody Allen. 

The story has 68-year-old tv legend Peter Falk (Willy Clark) opposite 60-year-old TV newcomer (as an actor) Woody Allen (Al Lewis) -- could TV zealots ask for more?  Amd there IS more: Sarah Jessica Parker as the agent, and Whoopi Goldberg in a delightful Cameo.

The re-written script is very much updated. Falk plays a very straightforward, "sentimental" Clark that works effectively, touchingly and comedically with the "Allenized" Lewis, who is much more of a hypochondriac and not at all senile in this version.  Sarah Jessica Parker gives a relaxed, solid performance.

This "The Sunshine Boys" is very good, very funny, sometimes even hilarious. It's always a joy to see great actors like Falk and Allen sharing the screen, especially with a near perfect screenplay.  There are many new lines and jokes, updating the play and first film of 1982, without diluting the original, in fact, giving it a new slant by the wonderful casting.

 

---