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The Prisoner of Second Avenue

Play trailer Poster for The Prisoner of Second Avenue PG Released Mar 14, 1975 1h 45m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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48% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 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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The Prisoner of Second Avenue

The Prisoner of Second Avenue

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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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Critics Reviews

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David Robinson The Times (UK) Jack Lemmon is a pastmaster of the Simon style; and Anne Bancroft bats the dialogue back with lovely expertise. May 2, 2025 Full Review Phil Strassberg Arizona Republic It's too grim for most filmgoers to attempt to extract the juicier laugh lines. Apr 24, 2025 Full Review Paul D. Zimmerman Newsweek The action is essentially mechanical, since none of the events proceeds from character. Mar 7, 2025 Full Review R.H. Gardner Baltimore Sun There are not as many laughs as in the original, but it is considerably more bearable. Mar 12, 2025 Full Review Carolyn Clay Boston Phoenix The Prisoner of Second Avenue is deftly put together. Mar 8, 2025 Full Review David McGillivray Monthly Film Bulletin Simon delivers his customary quote of searingly funny lines. Mar 7, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member For roles like this Lemmon deserves Oscar!!! Bravo! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
The Prisoner of Second Avenue

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Cast & Crew

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Melvin Frank

Director

Jack Lemmon

Mel Edison

Anne Bancroft

Edna Edison

Gene Saks

Harry Edison

Elizabeth Wilson

Pauline

Florence Stanley

Pearl

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The Prisoner of Second Avenue

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Movie Info

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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