The Fortune Cookie

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The Fortune Cookie

Released Oct 19, 1966

2h 5m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

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28 Reviews

80%

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2,500+ Ratings

While taping a football game, cameraman Harry Hinkle (Jack Lemmon) ends up slightly injured after a collision with star player "Boom Boom" Jackson (Ron Rich). When Hinkle's scheming brother-in-law, lawyer Willie Gingrich (Walter Matthau), catches wind of the incident, he wants Hinkle to feign paralysis to scam the insurance company. Hinkle agrees to the plan, if only to win back his ex (Judi West). But Hinkle's growing friendship with a guilt-ridden Jackson has him questioning the ploy.

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Critics Consensus

Uniting Jack Lemmon and a never-better Walter Matthau on the screen for the first time, The Fortune Cookie continues director Billy Wilder's winning streak of sweet comedies with a nice snap.

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James Powers

The Hollywood Reporter

Matthau, with the role of a lifetime at his hands, seizes it and makes it wonderful. As the incompetent shyster, Matthau snarls, cajoles, is breezy and sniveling by turns.

Oct 22, 2018

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Variety Staff

Variety

...another bittersweet comedy commentary on contemporary US mores.

Aug 15, 2007

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

Wildly funny in spots...

Aug 15, 2007

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Though it unfolds with sitcom logic, Matthau in particular gives an outstanding performance, loading up his grandstanding with quietly hilarious little moments.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 11, 2025

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Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

... the team of Wilder, and his equally insightful collaborator I.A.L. Diamond, who manage to shine a light on the nasty and dark side of human nature, as well as race issues. And boy does it feel so very modern.

Rated: B+

Aug 27, 2021

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The first joint Lemmon-Matthau effort might be the funniest.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 13, 2020

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Vincent S.

The relationship between Harry and Luther make this a smartly written farce special.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/31/25

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Alain E

A very nice sentimental comedy with a truly Felliniesque ending and appropriate music by Andre Previn. We know from the beginning that this not a whodunnit. The question is how the case will be resolved. All the main actors are very good. Judi West, who plays well the slightly superficial ex of Lemmon’s character, did very little other work and she is still alive. Cliff Osmond who is the slightly goofy private eye eager to uncover the plot is deceased after working for many years. Nicely restored, it is available on Prime.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

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Farah R

It’s hard to believe that a Billy Wilder film starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau bored me, but that’s exactly what The Fortune Cookie did. Whether it’s the depressing story or the dull characters, this is one you can go ahead and skip.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

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Alec B

There's a lot of unrealized potential here but it's worth seeing for Matthau's fantastic performance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

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Audience Member

I usually love Billy Wilder films. And while Matthau is great and deserved his Oscar, getting through this film is really a labor. I think a big part of the problem is the ‘Chapters’ announcing like book chapters, each new segment. The effect is thst it just feels endless, like trying to get through a book you are not interested in, but required to finish.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/21/23

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Lanfranco C

A nice, but sad commedy with an end of hope.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

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Billy Wilder

Director

Jack Lemmon

Harry Hinkle

Walter Matthau

Willie Gingrich

Ron Rich

Luther "Boom Boom" Jackson

Cliff Osmond

Purkey

Judi West

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Synopsis

While taping a football game, cameraman Harry Hinkle (Jack Lemmon) ends up slightly injured after a collision with star player "Boom Boom" Jackson (Ron Rich). When Hinkle's scheming brother-in-law, lawyer Willie Gingrich (Walter Matthau), catches wind of the incident, he wants Hinkle to feign paralysis to scam the insurance company. Hinkle agrees to the plan, if only to win back his ex (Judi West). But Hinkle's growing friendship with a guilt-ridden Jackson has him questioning the ploy.

Director: Billy Wilder
Producer: Billy Wilder
Production Co: Mirisch Company
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 19, 1966, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 7, 2019
Runtime: 2h 5m

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