A.K.A. Meet Whiplash Willie
You gotta respect any black & white movie that makes a direct verbal reference to Technicolor.
It makes sense, though. The Fortune Cookie is so sleazy and cynical (featuring a pushover, a shyster, a floozy, and a drunk as its four main characters) that it knows it doesn't deserve a colour palette. And yet, because the writing is so sharp, and because the cast is so energetic and compelling, the whole thing kept me entertained and laughing throughout.
Obviously, Jack Lemmon is great in this kind of role, but the true revelation here would've been Walter Matthau, who deservedly won an Oscar (and not of the Madison variety) for bringing this sly, slimy, fast-talking ambulance chaser to life. It's a wonderful performance in its own right, but it also made for some undeniable chemistry, kicking off a quasi-partnership that lasted for decades.
Even putting the two leads aside, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The flawed-yet-endearing characters really appealed to me, as did the totally unnecessary chapter breaks, as did the gentle use of drama (which provides some Apartment-style heart and purpose). We may not be dealing with top-tier Wilder here, but I think we're actually pretty damn close.
Grade: A
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