The Fortune Cookie is a 1966 American black comedy film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
The film opens with cameraman Harry Hinkle (Lemmon) being knocked down by a football player during a game. His brother-in-law, Willie Gingrich (Matthau), who is a lawyer, convinces him to exaggerate his injuries in a lawsuit against the football team, especially when he finds out that Hinkle's ex-wife is coming to visit him. However, Hinkle’s mild injury grows into something serious when a greedy and unscrupulous lawyer takes on the case and portrays Hinkle as a paralyzed victim.
As the lawsuit gains momentum, Hinkle finds himself enjoying the attention from his ex-wife Sandy (Judi West) who is worried about his health. To keep his act up, Hinkle pretends to be paralyzed. Hinkle's brother-in-law has his own agenda, which includes getting a massive settlement out of the football team.
However, Willie finds himself in a quandary when the football player who injured Hinkle, Boom-Boom Jackson (Ron Rich), threatens to destroy Hinkle's lie and prove that he is not that badly injured. The situation becomes complicated when the insurance company hires a private investigator to track down Hinkle’s doctor who Willie has bribed to sign a fake doctor report.
The film deals with themes of greed, deception, and the American obsession with lawsuits. It features an incredible cast, with Jack Lemmon delivering a standout performance as the hapless Hinkle, and Walter Matthau as his crooked lawyer brother-in-law.
Overall, The Fortune Cookie is a classic black comedy that showcases Wilder's impeccable direction and Lemmon's and Matthau's great comic timing and chemistry. It remains an entertaining and thought-provoking film that satirizes American legal culture and examines the ethics of greed and dishonesty.