Grumpy Old Men is a 1993 comedy-drama film directed by Donald Petrie and written by Mark Steven Johnson. The film stars Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as two lifelong neighbors and former friends named John Gustafson and Max Goldman.
John and Max live in the small, snowy town of Wabasha, Minnesota, where they constantly bicker and play pranks on each other. Their feud is rooted in a long-standing rivalry over a woman named Ariel, who Max married years ago.
Their peaceful lives are disrupted when a new neighbor, a beautiful divorcee named Maria Ragetti (played by Ann-Margret), moves in. Both John and Max become infatuated with her, leading to a series of comedic and over-the-top antics as they try to one-up each other in winning her affections.
As their rivalry intensifies, John and Max begin to realize how much they miss their old friendship. They eventually agree to put their differences aside, opting instead to help each other win Ariel back. Their efforts lead to a heartwarming reunion and the two men renewing their bond.
The film was a commercial success, grossing over $70 million worldwide, and spawned a sequel titled Grumpier Old Men, released in 1995. The film is widely considered a classic, owing in large part to the performances of Lemmon and Matthau, who earned critical acclaim for their portrayal of two cantankerous but lovable protagonists.