The Pitch: John Gustafson ( Jack Lemmon) and Max Goldman ( Walter Matthau) are two curmudgeonly neighbors who have been at each other’s throats for years. The feud between the former friends intensifies when Ariel ( Ann-Margret) comes along and provides a love interest for both of them that threatens to push their rivalry new heights. Why It’s Essential Viewing: Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau starred in a handful of comedies together throughout their long careers on the big screen. The Odd Couple is undoubtedly their best work as a duo, but only one other movie came close to matching the comedy magic that these two created, and it took 25 years for it to happen. The movie is