The Prisoner of Second Avenue

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The Prisoner of Second Avenue

PG

Released Mar 14, 1975

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

66%

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1,000+ Ratings

Neurotic middle-aged New Yorker Mel Edison (Jack Lemmon) is fired from his advertising job, forcing his loving wife, Edna (Anne Bancroft), to become the couple's sole breadwinner. Feeling emasculated, he begins to fall into a depression. A summer heat wave, unthoughtful neighbors and a robbery only worsen matters. When Mel finally suffers a nervous breakdown, he relies on those closest to him, including Edna and his brother Harry (Gene Saks), to restore his sanity.

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Critics Consensus

The Prisoner of Second Avenue falters in its translation from stage to screen, with Jack Lemmon's strong portrayal of escalating paranoia overshadowed by forced situational humor.

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Paul D. Zimmerman

Newsweek

The action is essentially mechanical, since none of the events proceeds from character.

Mar 7, 2025

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Judith Crist

New York Magazine/Vulture

It is a joy to see two top professionals at work, with no indication that it's work for them.

Mar 7, 2025

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Derek Malcolm

Guardian

Lemmon's descent into ill-concealed paranoia is a superb piece of acting, the graduations of which are almost unobservable so good is his technique.

Mar 7, 2025

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R.H. Gardner

Baltimore Sun

There are not as many laughs as in the original, but it is considerably more bearable.

Mar 12, 2025

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Carolyn Clay

Boston Phoenix

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is deftly put together.

Mar 8, 2025

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David McGillivray

Monthly Film Bulletin

Simon delivers his customary quote of searingly funny lines.

Mar 7, 2025

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Sal D

A series of uncomfortable arguments between Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft, then between his family members, then everybody, then he and his brother, then he and Anne Bancroft again. Often excruciating, always boring.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

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George L

Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft are fun to watch. This is a very enjoyable movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

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Audience Member

For roles like this Lemmon deserves Oscar!!! Bravo!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

Wow, just wow. The story of This film is transcendent of generations. Mel and Edna can easily be me and my wife. The hardships of the 70'2 are still the same hardships of today. It is 2018 and this film's plot and characters are still just as relevant as when this movie premiered. As a matter of fact, even the news update snippets sound like snippets of today's society. Neil Simon was and will always be known as a great playwright and his stories (just like Shakespeare's) can be used by any generation. The acting was amazing (loved the chemistry of Jack and Anne), great supporting actors portraying great supporting characters. Melvin Frank's vision for the film was a key to the success of this flm. Recomend this to anyone in their forties no matter what year we are living in.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

'a lessor neil simon' I don't think so and this has the best balance of humour & pathos no ez feat

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Trite and boring. Another waste of time from Doc Neil Simon. I will never understand his appeal. Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft could be more irritating. Avoid It.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Melvin Frank

Director

Jack Lemmon

Mel Edison

Anne Bancroft

Edna Edison

Gene Saks

Harry Edison

Elizabeth Wilson

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Synopsis

Neurotic middle-aged New Yorker Mel Edison (Jack Lemmon) is fired from his advertising job, forcing his loving wife, Edna (Anne Bancroft), to become the couple's sole breadwinner. Feeling emasculated, he begins to fall into a depression. A summer heat wave, unthoughtful neighbors and a robbery only worsen matters. When Mel finally suffers a nervous breakdown, he relies on those closest to him, including Edna and his brother Harry (Gene Saks), to restore his sanity.

Director: Melvin Frank
Producer: Melvin Frank
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 14, 1975, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 45m

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