The Prisoner of Second Avenue (1974)
Directed by Melvin Frank
Sub-Genres - Urban Comedy |
Release Date - Mar 14, 1975 (USA - Unknown), Mar 14, 1975 (USA) |
Run Time - 98 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - PG
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
A lesser but still entertaining Neil Simon work, The Prisoner of Second Avenue was adapted to film in 1974. Jack Lemmon takes over the role played on Broadway by Peter Falk: Mel is a New York-based advertising man who goes through hell when he loses his job. The gods seem to conspire against him as he tries to cope with his unemployed status; he is particularly depressed over the fact that he must now subsist on the income of his wife (Anne Bancroft). There are laughs in The Prisoner of Second Avenue, but it's the laughter of desperation and despair; it might not be advisable to watch this film after a bad day at the office. Watch for Sylvester Stallone as the "human punch line" of an old urban legend about a pickpocket.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
executive, unemployment, urban, career, sanity, wife
Attributes
High Production Values