Grumpy Old Men (1993) - Mark Steven Johnson

December 8, 1991

GRUMPY OLD MEN

Screenplay by Mark Steven Johnson

Synopsis by Brian Aldrich

In Wabasha, Minnesota, MAX GOLDMAN and JOHN GUSTAFSON are two senior citizens who have lived next door to one another for decades. Max is a widower with a grown son, MAX, who lives out of town. John's ex-wife, MAY, left him years ago. His daughter MELANIE has a baby daughter, ALLIE, and is considering a divorce from her flakey husband, MIKE. While Max and John have known each other since childhood, they argue and abuse one another, never exposing their true affection for one another. Years ago, John stole May away from Max and married her. Max has never forgiven him, but always treasured the fishing pole May once gave him.

Max and John do have one big thing in common besides being two lonely, aging bachelors--they love to fish. Almost every day, they separately drive down to the river, buy some bait from CHUCK, the black storekeeper, hike down to their shanties, and fish their hearts out. Occasionally, between insults and practical jokes they'll gossip with Chuck about who is dead or dying.

One day, a new neighbor moves in across the street from Max and John. She is ARIEL TRUAX, a sexy senior, who is a vivacious, exciting, breath of fresh air. They think she's crazy. She drives a snowmobile, frolics in the snow wearing a bathing suit, and has a nude statue of her dead husband. She shows up at John's front door and asks to use his bathroom. She is forward and eccentric and tries to invite herself into John's life. John resists. Meanwhile, Chuck starts to wine and dine her. Max and John won't believe Chuck that he slept with her. (Actually, they don't want to believe him, because they are both jealous.)

Eventually, Ariel breaks down John's resistance and she seduces him. Max can't handle John's victory and they argue. However, John can't seem to handle Ariel's aggressive behavior and they break up. Ariel starts to go out with Max. John is crushed. During visits home when they've tried to get their fathers to reconcile, Melanie and Jacob realize they are attracted to one another, but she is still married and he is confused. Finally, Jacob convinces his father to apologize to John. Max tries to find John and finds him collapsed in the snow from a heart attack. John is near death and hopeless. Max goes to Ariel and tells her that John really loves her and needs her. Ariel goes to John's side. A few months later, John marries Ariel. Max gets involved with CRYSTAL, Ariel's sister. Jacob and Melanie finally get together.

Summary Criticism: This is a charming script with well-crafted characters. Their common and outrageously dysfunctional manners have created a humorous and intriguing story.

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