HOWARD DEUTCH

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBBB. 

USA, 1995.  Lancaster Gate, Warner Bros..  Screenplay by Mark Steven Johnson, based on his characters.  Cinematography by Tak Fujimoto.  Produced by Richard C. Berman, John Davis.  Music by Alan Silvestri.  Production Design by Gary Frutkoff.  Costume Design by Lisa Jensen.  Film Editing by Maryann Brandon, Seth Flaum, Billy Weber.  

Superior sequel to the 1993 original, continuing the adventures of the two old crones (Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau), now no longer competing for Ann-Margret‘s affection since she married lucky Lemmon. Matthau gets thrown for a romantic loop of his own when a sexy widow (Sophia Loren, looking divine) comes to town and turns his beloved bait store into an Italian restaurant. The film is geared towards the first installment’s fans, so there’s really no need to explain its contents: if you like one, you’ll like the other. That said, I found this one funnier and more charming, plus it features a lovely Daryl Hannah in an excellent supporting role.