Jack Lemmon is the legend of basic Hollywood. He wasn’t precisely the heartthrob like Carey Grant or a brooding, mysterious man like Humphrey Bogart, however he was a nationwide treasure, however. His steadiness of comedic and dramatic roles paired properly together with his everyman on-screen persona. Lemmon was liked by actors and audiences alike; how nice he was exhibits the account that he was the one one to get together with Marilyn Monroe on the set of Some Like It Sizzling.
Jack Lemmon has 100 appearing credit on IMDb, however which ten have been ranked the best by Rotten Tomatoes? The Condominium, curiously, hasn’t made the record of the ten most-rated, however a lot of his best motion pictures have.
10 “Some Like It Sizzling” (1959)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
One of many all-time nice comedies is the tenth-best Jack Lemmon movie on Rotten Tomatoes. It is nonetheless exceptionally rated and exhibits how properly Lemmon picked motion pictures to star in. Some Like It Sizzling is particular for a lot of issues, however its most extraordinary half is Lemmon and his co-star Tony Curtis‘s openness to be in drag throughout the Nineteen Fifties.
Jack Lemmon agreed to be Daphne with out ever studying a web page of the script. Billy Wilder, the director of Some Like It Sizzling, defined the premise, and Lemmon dropped a right away “sure.” Wilder’s thought and script made Lemmon see one thing massive within the position, and he was proper, too — he obtained a nomination for Greatest Actor on the Oscars.
9 “Lacking” (1982)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
Costa-Gavras‘s Lacking is among the extra severe options on Lemmon’s roster. Usually underestimated due to his comedic roles, Jack Lemmon shines in Lacking, a narrative based mostly on actual occasions in Chile in 1973. The notorious Chilean coup d’etat was ugly and noticed hundreds of individuals useless or lacking. Costa-Gavras’s story was lauded for its bravery.
Lemmon performs Ed Horman, the daddy of a lacking journalist based mostly in Chile. Whereas on the seek for solutions and his son, Ed deepens his relationship together with his daughter-in-law Beth (Sissy Spacek). This position as Ed introduced Jack Lemmon one other Greatest Actor Oscar nomination in 1983.
8 “Quick Cuts” (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Quick Cuts is among the most distinctive movies of the Nineties. With a runtime of simply over three hours, this Robert Altman dramedy dives deep into the on a regular basis lives of seemingly random LA residents. As their tales and lives intertwine, the characters present emotional depth, permitting the actors portraying them to show their finest appearing abilities.
Lemmon performs Paul, the estranged father of Bruce Davison‘s Howard. Critics have praised this movie, and so have many award exhibits, however the one factor that stands out for a lot of is Jack Lemmon’s gripping emotional efficiency. His casting was seemingly your best option for Quick Cuts, although the film would not lack expertise in any respect.
7 “Hamlet” (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
If any basic actors have not tried their hand at a Shakespearean drama, have been they even an actor? Thankfully for Lemmon, he did not simply give it a go — he excelled in a single. Kenneth Branagh‘s implausible rendition of Hamlet is an unabridged adaption of play with unbelievable manufacturing values and set design.
The forged is fairly star-studded right here, too. Lemmon makes a cameo greater than really giving a gripping efficiency, however he was a pressure of nature even at an older age. 1996’s Hamlet is among the finest variations on the market, though some casting decisions, like Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, appeared a bit unorthodox based mostly on the movie’s tone and materials.
6 “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Earlier than The Wolf of Wall Avenue, there was Glengarry Glen Ross. Properly, they don’t seem to be on the identical stage, however for tales about salesmen filled with poisonous confidence, this David Mamet movie does an distinctive job. If tales about actual property gross sales do not sound like somebody’s thought of enjoyable, one have a look at the implausible forged might.
Jack Lemmon performs Shelley, a meticulous salesman on the verge of concluding a large sale. Al Pacino performs his rambunctious colleague, whereas the remainder of the forged contains Alan Arkin, Alec Baldwin, and Ed Harris. The forged fantastically portrays the stress and dependancy of touchdown only one extra sale.
5 “The Fortune Cookie” (1966)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
The primary of a few dozen Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau motion pictures was The Fortune Cookie. Lemmon and Matthau bonded and remained buddies for the remainder of their lives, bringing palpable chemistry to the display screen.
The Fortune Cookie is a darkish comedy about Harry (Lemmon), a journalist who will get injured on the job, and his brother-in-law William (Matthau), who convinces him to overstate his situation for a bigger insurance coverage declare. What was broadly thought of Walter Matthau’s most distinctive position, Lemmon wasn’t far behind in accolades and reward.
4 “The Odd Couple” (1968)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Lemmon and Matthau’s friendship was in its first years after they filmed The Odd Couple. Contemplating how properly they bonded instantly upon assembly, this comedy works in all the fitting methods. Lemmon performs Felix and Matthau is Oscar: Felix’s spouse leaves him, and he turns into depressed. Oscar, his shut buddy, invitations Felix to stick with him till he feels higher.
Felix and Oscar’s dwelling scenario begins properly, however quickly notice they’re opposites in each day life. Felix is jittery, neat, and shy (a personality typically performed and mastered by Lemmon) whereas Oscar is a fun-loving slob. Each handle to painting their characters actually and with a lot life, that it is robust to not relate to every of them throughout the film’s runtime.
3 “Mass Attraction” (1984)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Though Mass Attraction hasn’t been rated by audiences as any extra particular than Lemmon’s different movies, Rotten Tomatoes exhibits the best ranking for it, probably attributable to Lemmon himself. He performs Father Tim Farley, a beloved priest in his congregation who will get tasked with getting ready younger Mark (Željko Ivanek) for the priesthood.
This process turns into too arduous at occasions for Farley, as Mark is closely opinionated and his beliefs typically contradict the Church. However, Farley sees one thing in Mark and decides to assist him in any case. If anybody’s making an inventory of heartwarming motion pictures that get them considering, Mass Attraction is a reasonably attention-grabbing watch.
2 “It Ought to Occur to You” (1954)
Rotten Tomatoes Ranking: 100%
Lemmon’s first position as a number one man was in one of the crucial praised romantic comedies of all time, It Ought to Occur to You. Directed by the legendary George Cukor, Lemmon leads alongside Judy Holliday. Right here, Holliday performs a younger actress Gladys on the lookout for methods to develop into well-known; Lemmon performs her suitor, Pete.
The theme is not any completely different from at present’s many exhibits and films about desirous to be well-known by all means. The attract of fame has at all times been sturdy, and in It Ought to Occur to You, Pete serves because the grounding level for Gladys whereas she fantasizes about “being above the gang”. This romantic comedy elevates the style, offering the sensation that it is means forward of its time.
1 “Days of Wine and Roses” (1962)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Days of Wine and Rosestells the story of a person who likes consuming a lot, he will get his girlfriend to start out consuming, too. It is a very simplified movie synopsis that uncovers how society is conditioned to drink and eat alcohol consistently — from small-time celebrations to massive occasions.
Lemmon performs Joe, a salesman whose line of labor typically consists of getting drunk. When he meets Kristen (Lee Remmick), their relationship blooms earlier than it inevitably begins wilting. The movie gives a stark have a look at the results of alcoholism and its normalization in society, and is supported by the leads’ unbelievable performances.
