I can't believe the reviews from these Roger Ebert wannabes that tear it down; it wasn't supposed to make a statement or have a sound plot --- it's a COMEDY, you idiots! The numerous one-liners in this movie are priceless, and if you can't appreciate how enjoyable it is, you've gotten way too serious about movies, folks. Its humor has withstood the test of time and it's a solid 7 of 10. This is one of Williams and Matthau's funniest and well worth your time. Would you believe that I never noticed that Robin flashed his genitals in the hospital scene until my wife saw it for the first time and pointed it out --- women have a heckuva radar for those things!
47 Reviews
Unjustly overlooked: a very funny movie
Kralik9 August 1999
The Survivors was unjustly overlooked. It's a very funny and original comedy featuring one of Robin Williams' most inventive performances. It's a chance to see Williams at his most volatile and daring, before he adapted his persona to bland "family" movies like Patch Adams. He has an excellent foil here in Walter Matthau. Check it out.
someone's gotta survive...I think
lee_eisenberg5 October 2006
"The Survivors" is characteristic of Robin Williams's movies before "Good Morning, Vietnam": innocuously silly. In this case, he and Walter Matthau join up after surviving a robbery, and Williams becomes a survivalist. The whole thing is pretty goofy - maybe even pointless - but some of the gags make up for that. I will say that it's not the funniest movie for either star by a long shot; both have done far better than this. But, it's the sort of movie that you sit around in your underwear and watch; it does a respectable job showing both stars' talents. Good for a few laughs.
Shooting a man's gun. Ha!
Shooting a man's gun. Ha!
Funniest dumb movie of all time.
jukes_pirate30 September 2003
This is classic Robin Williams! The plot is full of holes and overall it's fairly pointless, but this movie makes me laugh and grin no matter how many times I watch it. The best scenes take place in a snowy New England forest, and the movie does an awesome job of capturing the atmosphere.
Smoking trees, satire and early political correctness
SimonJack27 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
When this 1983 Columbia comedy was made, American society was in a place of flux with an uneasiness and uncertainty about life and the future. The Cold War was old and wearing. The "sexual revolution" of the 1960s had since passed into history, but its tentacles were everywhere in society. Secularism was just becoming vogue in society if not yet in conversation. And political correctness was about to emerge. There seemed to be a malaise over what comes next. I thought about that malaise when reading the comments about this movie. Few others saw the satire or could appreciate the farce. Some thought it was just a funny movie.
This film pokes fun at many of the social conditions of the time. It breaks ground on social commentary that was beginning to emerge as critique of some of the foibles of the American system and society. Some of those things in years ahead would become more agitating. We didn't know it then, but we do now, looking back. So, I'm somewhat surprised that so few people who have commented on "The Survivors" could see how it spoofed so much of what was going on and emerging.
Much of the movie is devoted to the survivalist training and escapism by Robin Williams as Donald Quinelle. Closely connected to that is the effort of Walter Matthau's Sonny Paluso to keep from getting killed by a criminal, Jack Locke, played by Jerry Reed. But, feeding both of these subplots within this film are many nuances of things that don't seem right about society. Williams, Matthau and Reed all play their parts well, as do a few people in the supporting cast. The film has a good share of antics, especially by Donald. And the screenplay is filled with witty, farcical and outrageous lines.
These and some of the early situations leading up to the survivalist confrontations are what build on the satire. But for some unnecessary profanity and occasional crassness, I would have this movie in my library of satire films. Before I give some sample lines of the humor, consider these few situations that spoof the culture of the time.
After Sonny loses his gas station and is out of work, he can't draw unemployment relief while he looks for work. He tells the social worker he has paid into the unemployment insurance for 15 years as an employer, and asks rhetorically, why he can't receive any assistance when he has lost his job? The woman says, "You cannot be unemployed. You were an employer."
The irony and political correctness spoof are so clear in this scene. The government employee is a Hindu woman who has a red jewel (bindi) on her forehead. She has an accent so she is a recent immigrant. Yet, she has a job and tells the native-born Sonny that there's no help for him. She tells him to go stand in another line, but Sonny protests. He stood in line six hours just to see her, and now she tells him to go stand in another line. He says, "You can't treat people like cattle. Oh, excuse me." She glares at him, and I laughed all the harder. Once more Sonny protests, and she sprays mace in his face. Of course, that wasn't funny.
When Sonny and Donald take Jack Locke into the police station to turn him over, they're told to wait in line. The police are all busy and there's a line. No one pays attention to them, looks up, or listens to what they have to say. It's just, "get in line."
The survivalist stuff is a poke at that type of social craze that reared its head a couple of times in the 20th century. And, Sonny's reticence to "get involved" or report a criminal is a jab at an attitude that was quite prominent in that time that further enabled small-time crooks and others to get by with thievery and other crimes. There were some other satirical jabs in places (i.e. Sonny's 16-year old daughter watching a porn video she got from a teacher).
Here are some of my favorite lines from this film.
Masked Jack Locke, robbing the café, "S--- man, you ain't got no money. What did they pay you in, food stamps? You oughta be robbing me."
Donald is lying on the floor after being shot in the arm. He's frantic. Sonny says, "You're not going to die." Donald, "They always say that to people who are going to die."
Donald's girlfriend, Doreen (played by Annie McEnroe), "Donald, I'm sure no one who matters watches the five o'clock news."
Jack Locke, "I was raised a Southern Baptist and I place a high value on human life. $20,000 minimum."
Donald, "This will be like skiing, except for the booby traps." Doreen, "I don't believe in surviving. I believe in living."
Donald, on the phone to Jack, "You drive fast, oyster brain. Because the sooner you get here, the sooner there'll be one less wart on the ass of society."
Jack tells his wife that he goes away at times because he's a professional killer. "So, I'm not out there committing adultery. I'm out there committing murder."
Donald, after shooting a pop-up target that has a boom box, "Wes says to shoot the radios because without music they lose half their will to fight."
Wes, "Welcome to the new Middle Ages."
Donald, "What kind of man gives cigarettes to trees?" One has to see this scene for the full humor.
This film pokes fun at many of the social conditions of the time. It breaks ground on social commentary that was beginning to emerge as critique of some of the foibles of the American system and society. Some of those things in years ahead would become more agitating. We didn't know it then, but we do now, looking back. So, I'm somewhat surprised that so few people who have commented on "The Survivors" could see how it spoofed so much of what was going on and emerging.
Much of the movie is devoted to the survivalist training and escapism by Robin Williams as Donald Quinelle. Closely connected to that is the effort of Walter Matthau's Sonny Paluso to keep from getting killed by a criminal, Jack Locke, played by Jerry Reed. But, feeding both of these subplots within this film are many nuances of things that don't seem right about society. Williams, Matthau and Reed all play their parts well, as do a few people in the supporting cast. The film has a good share of antics, especially by Donald. And the screenplay is filled with witty, farcical and outrageous lines.
These and some of the early situations leading up to the survivalist confrontations are what build on the satire. But for some unnecessary profanity and occasional crassness, I would have this movie in my library of satire films. Before I give some sample lines of the humor, consider these few situations that spoof the culture of the time.
After Sonny loses his gas station and is out of work, he can't draw unemployment relief while he looks for work. He tells the social worker he has paid into the unemployment insurance for 15 years as an employer, and asks rhetorically, why he can't receive any assistance when he has lost his job? The woman says, "You cannot be unemployed. You were an employer."
The irony and political correctness spoof are so clear in this scene. The government employee is a Hindu woman who has a red jewel (bindi) on her forehead. She has an accent so she is a recent immigrant. Yet, she has a job and tells the native-born Sonny that there's no help for him. She tells him to go stand in another line, but Sonny protests. He stood in line six hours just to see her, and now she tells him to go stand in another line. He says, "You can't treat people like cattle. Oh, excuse me." She glares at him, and I laughed all the harder. Once more Sonny protests, and she sprays mace in his face. Of course, that wasn't funny.
When Sonny and Donald take Jack Locke into the police station to turn him over, they're told to wait in line. The police are all busy and there's a line. No one pays attention to them, looks up, or listens to what they have to say. It's just, "get in line."
The survivalist stuff is a poke at that type of social craze that reared its head a couple of times in the 20th century. And, Sonny's reticence to "get involved" or report a criminal is a jab at an attitude that was quite prominent in that time that further enabled small-time crooks and others to get by with thievery and other crimes. There were some other satirical jabs in places (i.e. Sonny's 16-year old daughter watching a porn video she got from a teacher).
Here are some of my favorite lines from this film.
Masked Jack Locke, robbing the café, "S--- man, you ain't got no money. What did they pay you in, food stamps? You oughta be robbing me."
Donald is lying on the floor after being shot in the arm. He's frantic. Sonny says, "You're not going to die." Donald, "They always say that to people who are going to die."
Donald's girlfriend, Doreen (played by Annie McEnroe), "Donald, I'm sure no one who matters watches the five o'clock news."
Jack Locke, "I was raised a Southern Baptist and I place a high value on human life. $20,000 minimum."
Donald, "This will be like skiing, except for the booby traps." Doreen, "I don't believe in surviving. I believe in living."
Donald, on the phone to Jack, "You drive fast, oyster brain. Because the sooner you get here, the sooner there'll be one less wart on the ass of society."
Jack tells his wife that he goes away at times because he's a professional killer. "So, I'm not out there committing adultery. I'm out there committing murder."
Donald, after shooting a pop-up target that has a boom box, "Wes says to shoot the radios because without music they lose half their will to fight."
Wes, "Welcome to the new Middle Ages."
Donald, "What kind of man gives cigarettes to trees?" One has to see this scene for the full humor.
one of the finest comedies i've come across
ziginc4 August 2003
the "survivors" is absolutely one of the finest comedies i've come across. never is williams better than when playing the deluded idiot, and this is his finest hour in that persona. matthau's opposite, more reserved approach works perfectly to temper williams' madness. and jerry reed is fantastic as the hit man who may or may not have been responsible for teamster boss jimmy hoffa's disappearance. i must urge those (and there are many) who consider this classic to be a turkey to give it another chance.
One of those films
Jetset97115 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This is a prime example of one of those extremely fair/mediocre films that comes on late night TV sometimes that i just cant not watch at least a little of. Don't get me wrong its far from a perfect film, heck, its far from a good film but i just find elements of it fun to watch. Robin Williams and Walter Matthau are two, for very interesting reasons, recently out of people that get mixed up together when the diner that they are both at gets robbed by Jerry Reed. From that the movie proceeds to tell the tale of these "Survivors". As i stated before the plot is extremely week and the pay-off is sub-standard but there are definite funny lines and scenes. Here are some examples.
"I place a high value on human life...20,000 dollars minimum."
"Blasphmy! You will smoke a turd in hell for that!"
"I left my green card in my other pants."
In conclusion, give this movie a try. But don't expect greatness.
"I place a high value on human life...20,000 dollars minimum."
"Blasphmy! You will smoke a turd in hell for that!"
"I left my green card in my other pants."
In conclusion, give this movie a try. But don't expect greatness.
Hilarious but slightly misguided spoof of survivalists
brchthethird13 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
In THE SURVIVORS, Robin Williams and Walter Matthau team up to take on a professional hit-man, at least at first. This film actually makes fun of survivalists which, while relying heavily on stereotypes, is still quite funny. The story, though, is predicated on a series of coincidences which makes the whole thing seem set up to make a point. And while things never get preachy, there are a few moments that might have you rolling your eyes a bit, but then it returns to the laughs. Even though this is one of Robin Williams' lesser comedies, he and Walter Matthau make a fine comic team who play nicely off of the other. There isn't too much in the way of character building, but I didn't honestly expect too much of that in this type of movie. The pacing is pretty good, keeping things moving along at a nice clip, until the final act which was a bit bloated. It isn't until the final moments that a switch-a-roo of sorts is made in terms of who the villain is, and calculated to drive home the message of the film, that is, survivalists are all crazy, deluded gun nuts. While this might be true to an extent, this still doesn't excuse reframing the hit-man as just another victim of an "economy in the toilet" (to borrow a phrase from the film). This just seemed odd to me, and somewhat misguided. Still, the farcical nature of the film makes it hard to take seriously, but in the end I quite enjoyed it. Great? No, but it's a decent watch.
A waste of talent
JW-2720 July 1999
This was a major disappointment for me. I have always been a fan of Walter Matthau and Robin Williams and director Michael Ritchie, but not even the three of them together could breathe any life into this dry film. Williams' character, Donald, is a neurotic, bumbling idiot who is unforgivably paranoid, and his relentless struggle to make some sense out of his life simply isn't funny nor interesting. Sonny Paluso (Matthau) is a sour old fart who, of course, eventually warms up to Donald (aaaaaaawwwwwwhhhhhh). I went to see this with a friend, and , aside from two other people, we were the only ones in the entire cinema--not a bit surprising. The World According to Garp is a much better representation of Williams' early '80's efforts. As for Matthau and Ritchie, stick with The Bad News Bears.
The Survivors is a distinctive and well-executed addition to the comedy genre
kevin_robbins1 October 2023
Recently revisited the classic The Survivors (1983) on Tubi. The storyline revolves around two individuals who, by a stroke of fate, become friends after losing their jobs simultaneously and accidentally thwarting a hitman's plan. Following these events, the younger friend decides to retreat from society and join an extreme survivalist group in the mountains, while the older friend contemplates how to bounce back financially. However, when the vengeful hitman returns, the two friends must reunite and work together once more.
Directed by Michael Ritchie (The Golden Child), the film features an exceptional cast, including Walter Matthau (Grumpy Old Men), Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire), Jerry Reed (Smokey and the Bandit) and James Wainwright (Beyond Westworld).
Walter Matthau and Robin Williams absolutely nailed their respective roles. Their facial expressions, mannerisms, and delivery of dialogue were flawless from start to finish. Robin Williams brought a wild, unpredictable, and utterly engaging quality to his character, making it impossible not to embrace his random and awkward persona. Matthau's reactions to Williams were consistently hilarious, and their on-screen chemistry was spot-on. Jerry Reed played a memorable villain, and the film's circumstances were uniquely entertaining within the comedy genre.
In conclusion, The Survivors is a distinctive and well-executed addition to the comedy genre. I would rate this a 7-7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.
Directed by Michael Ritchie (The Golden Child), the film features an exceptional cast, including Walter Matthau (Grumpy Old Men), Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire), Jerry Reed (Smokey and the Bandit) and James Wainwright (Beyond Westworld).
Walter Matthau and Robin Williams absolutely nailed their respective roles. Their facial expressions, mannerisms, and delivery of dialogue were flawless from start to finish. Robin Williams brought a wild, unpredictable, and utterly engaging quality to his character, making it impossible not to embrace his random and awkward persona. Matthau's reactions to Williams were consistently hilarious, and their on-screen chemistry was spot-on. Jerry Reed played a memorable villain, and the film's circumstances were uniquely entertaining within the comedy genre.
In conclusion, The Survivors is a distinctive and well-executed addition to the comedy genre. I would rate this a 7-7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.
Purposeless comedy.
gridoon6 January 2000
This is another one of those rambling, pointless mid-1980's comedies that keep going on and on, without having anything to say, and without caring if the viewer is still amused or interested. The teaming of Matthau and Williams may appear promising, but it doesn't pay off, and the film is scarcely funny. Halfway through, the thin script has run completely out of steam, and there is nothing for the viewer to expect...apart from the redeeming "THE END", of course.
A superb comedy
david-bornor17 September 2006
When you come across one of those moments in life when you really need to catch hold of a spark of brilliance you should hold onto it and glow warmly in its presence. This film is one of those moments. It sparks and creates a wonderful mix of tragic characters interacting in a modern world, confused and not sure about their place, shattered by stupid events that happen around them to place them together. Robin Williams decent into understandable weakness provides cream for your coffee sacked by a parrot, driving the same car as all his fellow corporate colleagues he blunders into a world he only read about and slipped and scrawled crashing into a frightened world where the big cesspool awaits. Walter in a parallel world falls lower and lower creating empathic moments trying to get by in a simple world where his daughter strolls in his shadow in adolescence. This film contains some superb dialogue and creative comedy that charm the watcher. Robin is sublime and Walter makes sense where there is none. Jack is colossal as a nemesis and indefatigable in his pursuit until his humanity appears on the floor of a wood cabin when all the characters come together. Do not listen to those who believe this is poor, they have not watched and wondered at the connections. Brilliance and eclectic!
This film is hilarious
mm-3924 January 2002
I gave it a 8 , and my wife thought it was a 6. Then this film must be a 7. If you have ever been hit by hard luck, one can relate with these characters. Robin Williams, when he was at his funniest, performs this rambling nonsense. Especially when he tells the events of the robbery to his fiancee, does a tv counterpoint (ie there would be no criminals if there were no victims, unless the criminals robbed other criminals, but I am diluting here) and acts out a gun battle. Walter Matthau plays the crabby straight guy who tries to fix events. Small role for Jerry Reed, watch the gas station scene; it's funny. Comedy is so hard to do, it's an art, much easier to make a horror film or action movie, but to get comedy right you have too hit a groove. This film does it!
A muddled mess that can't be saved
jrs-828 December 2005
It seems that many people have enjoyed "The Survivors" and as a huge Walter Matthau fan I sure wanted to be one of them. "The Survivors" is a muddled mess with script problems and, most curiously, problems with the casting of its leading actors Matthau and Robin Williams. Just reading that would make you thing that the casting is inspired but it ends up working against the film. Matthau and Williams have two very distinctive styles of comedy that work against each other and that aspect is clear throughout the movie. These two appear to be starring in different movies even when they are on screen together. Director Michael Ritchie appears to have let Williams and his manic sense of humor go crazy with no attempt to reel him in to a calmer level more suitable for the film. Take a look at "The World According to Garp" where Williams worked with the great George Roy Hill to see a restrained and terrific performance. Sure some of Williams' manic comedy sneaks through there but it was at a minimum. Here Williams is all over the map which is surprising considering director Ritchie's track record of only good movies up to this point ("The Candidate", "Smile" and "The Bad News Bears" among others).
Another problem with the film is the tone of the script. It wants to be satirical, farcical, and dark all at the same time. Had it stuck with just one of those tones we might have had a better movie. Perhaps a satirical look at the difficulties of big business which is suggested in a funny opening scene when Williams is fired by his boss' parrot. Or perhaps a dark comedy about two down on their luck guys who happen across a hit man, trying to stay alive or even perhaps hoping to be killed, as they get their lives in some sort of order. This is hinted at but the story falls flat with the casting of Jerry Reed as the hit man who turns out to be a likable guy. Reed never convinced me he was anything more then the Snowman with a gun waiting for Burt Reynolds. He always seems to be winking at himself and never comes off as menacing. And the last act of the film at the survivalist outing is so mundane and silly it doesn't even belong in this film.
"The Survivors" could have been a really special film had director Ritchie reigned in and restrained Williams some and having the script go through major overhauls instead of looking like they shot a first draft. As it now stands there are a few laughs and it's not a total waste of time but will be a huge disappointment to fans of the lead actors.
Another problem with the film is the tone of the script. It wants to be satirical, farcical, and dark all at the same time. Had it stuck with just one of those tones we might have had a better movie. Perhaps a satirical look at the difficulties of big business which is suggested in a funny opening scene when Williams is fired by his boss' parrot. Or perhaps a dark comedy about two down on their luck guys who happen across a hit man, trying to stay alive or even perhaps hoping to be killed, as they get their lives in some sort of order. This is hinted at but the story falls flat with the casting of Jerry Reed as the hit man who turns out to be a likable guy. Reed never convinced me he was anything more then the Snowman with a gun waiting for Burt Reynolds. He always seems to be winking at himself and never comes off as menacing. And the last act of the film at the survivalist outing is so mundane and silly it doesn't even belong in this film.
"The Survivors" could have been a really special film had director Ritchie reigned in and restrained Williams some and having the script go through major overhauls instead of looking like they shot a first draft. As it now stands there are a few laughs and it's not a total waste of time but will be a huge disappointment to fans of the lead actors.
Well, silly me, I got the wrong bullets...
paul_haakonsen13 September 2014
Despite being from 1983, then I will say that "The Survivors" actually still holds its ground today, and can still be watched as a movie that was filmed recently.
The story is about Sonny (played by Walther Matthau) who lost his gas station in an accident after 12 years of running it, and also the story of Donald (played by Robin Williams) who was fired from his upscale corporate job by a parrot nonetheless. The paths intertwine when they are at the same diner when a would-be robber attempts to rob the establishment.
Storywise, then "The Survivors" is fairly straight forward and simple. The story doesn't really require much from the audience. But what makes the movie work is the on screen charisma of both Walther Matthau and Robin Williams, and when put together they are like fire and ice.
While this is a comedy, then it is not the type of comedy that will have you laying down with cramps from laughing. The comedy here is more subtle and indirect.
There are some great one liners throughout the movie. And while this is a comedy, then it should be said that the movie does present a rather colorful take on the American rights to bear arms.
If you haven't already seen "The Survivors", then take note that it is well worth spending an hour an a half on.
The story is about Sonny (played by Walther Matthau) who lost his gas station in an accident after 12 years of running it, and also the story of Donald (played by Robin Williams) who was fired from his upscale corporate job by a parrot nonetheless. The paths intertwine when they are at the same diner when a would-be robber attempts to rob the establishment.
Storywise, then "The Survivors" is fairly straight forward and simple. The story doesn't really require much from the audience. But what makes the movie work is the on screen charisma of both Walther Matthau and Robin Williams, and when put together they are like fire and ice.
While this is a comedy, then it is not the type of comedy that will have you laying down with cramps from laughing. The comedy here is more subtle and indirect.
There are some great one liners throughout the movie. And while this is a comedy, then it should be said that the movie does present a rather colorful take on the American rights to bear arms.
If you haven't already seen "The Survivors", then take note that it is well worth spending an hour an a half on.
Not a great film, but not bad either...
Tazjas4 February 1999
The Survivors is not the Best film of any of the casts' careers, but I found it pretty funny for the most part. Matthau's sticks to his grouchy old man routine and Williams to his manic everyman. The rest of the cast is OK. There is a little social commentary which is a little dated by now, but still. I liked it.
Starts Off Funny But Deteriorates As It Goes
JasonDanielBaker6 March 2014
Young upper management executive Donald (Williams) gets canned as part of a restructuring. With his mind occupied by that he quite accidentally leaves a sizable gasoline spill outside a petrol station/auto shop just before its crotchety old proprietor Sonny (Mathau) tosses a stale cancer stick. After that Sonny no longer owns a petrol station/auto shop. Neither man really sees the other or knows what really happened.
These suddenly desperate sad-sacks converge on the local unemployment office whilst Jack (Reed) - one other more desperate yet decidedly more volatile individual is also there. At a nearby diner, while Donald and Sonny are sulking after a miserable day at the mercy of the federal bureaucracy, Jack shows up with a loaded gun and tries to rob the place. Jack has been pushed too far which results in his pushing Donald and Sonny too far. They foil the robbery but Donald is shot. Jack easily orchestrates his getaway.
Becoming cause celebres for their daring good deed in the incident doesn't help Donald or Sonny. The media ridicules them. Worse, Jack gets their names from the news reports and goes hunting after them as Sonny struggles through odd jobs and Donald alienates his fiancé by going to live at a survivalist camp. Tracking Donald to the camp by threatening Sonny, Jack is determined to finally silence both of the odd couple friends. Donald - exhilarated by the whole experience craves a final confrontation.
The film starts quite well to hook the viewer but most of the truly funny material is to be found at the beginning. By the middle it lags and lingers as gaping plot holes remain. The final thirty minutes are mostly unwatchable in the run-up to a nonsensical conclusion. They appeared to be looking for absolutely anything with which they could fashion a satisfactory conclusion for the final cut.
These suddenly desperate sad-sacks converge on the local unemployment office whilst Jack (Reed) - one other more desperate yet decidedly more volatile individual is also there. At a nearby diner, while Donald and Sonny are sulking after a miserable day at the mercy of the federal bureaucracy, Jack shows up with a loaded gun and tries to rob the place. Jack has been pushed too far which results in his pushing Donald and Sonny too far. They foil the robbery but Donald is shot. Jack easily orchestrates his getaway.
Becoming cause celebres for their daring good deed in the incident doesn't help Donald or Sonny. The media ridicules them. Worse, Jack gets their names from the news reports and goes hunting after them as Sonny struggles through odd jobs and Donald alienates his fiancé by going to live at a survivalist camp. Tracking Donald to the camp by threatening Sonny, Jack is determined to finally silence both of the odd couple friends. Donald - exhilarated by the whole experience craves a final confrontation.
The film starts quite well to hook the viewer but most of the truly funny material is to be found at the beginning. By the middle it lags and lingers as gaping plot holes remain. The final thirty minutes are mostly unwatchable in the run-up to a nonsensical conclusion. They appeared to be looking for absolutely anything with which they could fashion a satisfactory conclusion for the final cut.
Unlikely buddies
bkoganbing3 April 2018
The Survivors is about a pair of unlikely buddies who come together after a shared experience chasing off a robber of a fast food place. One's a blue collar
guy who loses his business in a crazy accident that incidentally is caused by the
white collar guy. How it happens I won't reveal, it's a moment that could have
happened in one of Jerry Lewis's films.
Walter Matthau is the blue collar guy and he's the usual gruff Matthau type part. It fits him perfectly. Robin Williams is our business executive who loses his job in a business reorganization after a couple of decades at the same company. I sympathize with Williams, I worked at the same place for 23 years once I found the job I really liked. Not easy to lose familiar and comfortable surroundings.
Williams is in a part that had Woody Allen written all over it. This was early in his big screen career and I think Robin was trying on a lot projects seeing what would fit his particular brand of zany.
Matthau and Williams foil a robbery committed by a man wearing a hood. That is Jerry Reed, a professional hit man doing a little robbery of a fast food place because he's between assignments and has a cash flow problem. Even hit men have to pay the rent. What he does to try and elude folks as to his identity is also pretty funny. Still Matthau pulls his hood off and recognizes him.
Later on these two capture him, but Reed gets out on bail. He feels he has to eliminate these two now because of an indiscreet remark he makes.
But Williams is feeling all kinds of macho now. He joins a survivalist group and becomes obsessed with all kinds of weaponry. Perfect NRA material. His best scenes are in the survivalist camp and it's the part of the film that will make you think Woody Allen.
Not the best or worst from either of the stars. But The Survivors might really been a better film had Woody Allen starred and directed it.
Walter Matthau is the blue collar guy and he's the usual gruff Matthau type part. It fits him perfectly. Robin Williams is our business executive who loses his job in a business reorganization after a couple of decades at the same company. I sympathize with Williams, I worked at the same place for 23 years once I found the job I really liked. Not easy to lose familiar and comfortable surroundings.
Williams is in a part that had Woody Allen written all over it. This was early in his big screen career and I think Robin was trying on a lot projects seeing what would fit his particular brand of zany.
Matthau and Williams foil a robbery committed by a man wearing a hood. That is Jerry Reed, a professional hit man doing a little robbery of a fast food place because he's between assignments and has a cash flow problem. Even hit men have to pay the rent. What he does to try and elude folks as to his identity is also pretty funny. Still Matthau pulls his hood off and recognizes him.
Later on these two capture him, but Reed gets out on bail. He feels he has to eliminate these two now because of an indiscreet remark he makes.
But Williams is feeling all kinds of macho now. He joins a survivalist group and becomes obsessed with all kinds of weaponry. Perfect NRA material. His best scenes are in the survivalist camp and it's the part of the film that will make you think Woody Allen.
Not the best or worst from either of the stars. But The Survivors might really been a better film had Woody Allen starred and directed it.
A Tale of Two Halves
view_and_review27 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Come one come all and get your early look at doomsday preppers. See them as they shun civilization. See them as they rant about society. See them as they shoot their guns all day everyday.
"The Survivors" circuitously worked its way around to what it really wanted to cover: anti-society survivalists. The movie started with two regular guys who both became unemployed in different manners. When they were both the heroes of a failed robbery attempt it sent them on two divergent paths. Sonny Paluso (Walter Matthau) shrugged off the matter and went on with life as usual. Donald Quinelle (Robin Williams), clearly more affected by the robbery, left his fiancé and joined a group of preppers in Vermont.
The movie was really a tale of two halves. The first half was funny, strong, and had limitless potential. There was one funny situation after another in the beginning: Don being fired, the unemployment office, and even the robbery. The second half was slower, preachier, and somewhat aimless. Like the writer knew how to introduce us to this tucked away society of preppers but didn't know how to gracefully exit. So, we got a ham-fisted scenario with the professional hitman/robber going to Vermont to kill Sonny and Don, Don meeting him mano-e-mano, then the both of them fleeing the camp arm in arm. The movie clumsily pivoted from one point to the next.
In the end, the message was that the Sirens of the end of civilization are just looking to capitalize on people's fears and insecurities. It's a very viable message though the delivery could use some touching up. I think that most doomsday proselytizers truly believe what they preach, and I also believe-like with anything-there are those who just want to make a dollar on someone else's fears. This movie swam in the waters of the latter even if it swam with the grace of a mud guppy.
"The Survivors" circuitously worked its way around to what it really wanted to cover: anti-society survivalists. The movie started with two regular guys who both became unemployed in different manners. When they were both the heroes of a failed robbery attempt it sent them on two divergent paths. Sonny Paluso (Walter Matthau) shrugged off the matter and went on with life as usual. Donald Quinelle (Robin Williams), clearly more affected by the robbery, left his fiancé and joined a group of preppers in Vermont.
The movie was really a tale of two halves. The first half was funny, strong, and had limitless potential. There was one funny situation after another in the beginning: Don being fired, the unemployment office, and even the robbery. The second half was slower, preachier, and somewhat aimless. Like the writer knew how to introduce us to this tucked away society of preppers but didn't know how to gracefully exit. So, we got a ham-fisted scenario with the professional hitman/robber going to Vermont to kill Sonny and Don, Don meeting him mano-e-mano, then the both of them fleeing the camp arm in arm. The movie clumsily pivoted from one point to the next.
In the end, the message was that the Sirens of the end of civilization are just looking to capitalize on people's fears and insecurities. It's a very viable message though the delivery could use some touching up. I think that most doomsday proselytizers truly believe what they preach, and I also believe-like with anything-there are those who just want to make a dollar on someone else's fears. This movie swam in the waters of the latter even if it swam with the grace of a mud guppy.
What kind of man gives cigarettes to trees?
film-critic27 May 2006
As I watched The Survivors, I couldn't help but wonder what was going through the mind of director Michael Ritchie when he was presented with the script. Outside of the enormous gaps in plot and development, he had to see some humor in it somewhere to cast two direct opposites of the comedy spectrum to helm this project. There had to be a mission or a reason in Ritchie's mind when he decided that Robin Williams, a fast-talking comedian that can sometimes be uncontrollable, and Walter Matthau, a slow-methodical comedian that appeals to the "every man", would be his key players. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall during this opening meeting because this little fly would have spoken up and mentioned that this pairing would doom the script, and possibly put a black mark on both of these actor's careers. I wouldn't just stop there, I would tear this film to pieces trying to get others to explain to me the subsequent ending and missing tone. The only element that I would be content with would be the casting of Jerry Reed, who honestly brought some humor and intelligence to this scarred film. The Survivors was not a film, but instead an attempt to allow two comedians the opportunity to express themselves coupled with heavy firepower. Nothing more, nothing less.
Could somebody, anybody, please help me out with the story surrounding The Survivors? From the zigzag opening centered around the parrot and Robin Williams' job to the incident at Matthau's gas station (a plot point never mentioned or concluded), Ritchie spends no time developing anything. His choice of direction is simply to allow Williams to be as "zany" as possible and see how Matthau reacts to it. If it weren't for Jerry Reed this film would have been nearly an hour and a half of forced jokes, gunshots, and awkward moments. The story was pointless. In most instances I can find bits and pieces of a story which keeps my attention allowing me to be curious about how the ending will resolve itself. For there to be this resolution, there has to be a conflict. Ritchie attempts to create one with the entire "survival of the fittest" byline, but even that idea is never fully announced. I felt like a Ping-Pong ball in this film, constantly going back and forth between Williams and Matthau hoping that I would land on something that scored a point, but alas, this was the game that would never end. Ritchie even takes us into the wilderness in attempts to bring more laughs and eventually draw an ending, but again, nothing happens. Nothing is explained, nothing is developed, nothing is linear. Williams goes into the woods to be trained in survival, yet for the amount of time he was there it was as if he was unable to learn anything. Also, where did he get the funds to buy the house out in the woods? Then, without giving anything away, there was that pathetic ending. WHAT HAPPENED? I use big words there because there was not one iota of a conclusion. Enemies became friends, friends became enemies, and before words could be spoken the ending credits appeared.
I would like to announce this here, but I believe Michael Ritchie could not even handle the simplest of tasks with this film. The direction was horrible because Ritchie could not control his actors. It was obvious as you watched Williams and Matthau on screen that there were getting no advice or pointers from the man behind the camera. Ritchie didn't stop Williams during his rants (which at times were never relevant to the film) and did not help Matthau react to the insanity that Williams was bringing to the table. What should have been the best part of this film was easily the most painful to watch. Williams and Matthau, in this critic's eye, possibly could be ranked as the WORST comic pairing in cinema. Matthau's form of comedy is completely, if not 100%, different to Williams' shenanigans. While in some film cases this would work to a movie's advantage, for The Survivors, it did not. There were no characters for these two comedians to enter into. I sat during the entire hour and a half watching Robin Williams be Robin Williams and the same for Walter Matthau. I could not see any semblance of a character between the two of them. Both seemed to jump from one trait to the next. Neither seemed to have a complete hold or knowledge of who they were attempting to portray. This is half due to the flimsy story, but mainly I place the blame on Ritchie. With Williams and Matthau at the helm, this had the beginnings of a hilarious possible gut-busting, laugh-out-loud comedy that would be a staple in the film community, but Ritchie, in my eyes, could not handle it. He relied to heavily on his actor's comic "personas" instead of actually building characters for them.
Overall, this was a very sad excuse for a film. I have read some other reviews that speak highly of the comedy in this film while do speak similarly of the lacking story, but for me everything was broken. There were no characters, there was no direction, there was obviously no story, and our two central actors didn't work for their money, but just read through their lines and gave a measly 30% to the final product. The only plus I give this film is the accomplishment of Jerry Reed. He was worth watching. The scene between his wife and I was nearly close to perfection. I think it was the only time that I found myself chuckling through this entire film. Ritchie could not handle this film and in the end The Survivors is probably a film that neither Williams or Matthau wants to remember.
Grade: ** out of *****
Could somebody, anybody, please help me out with the story surrounding The Survivors? From the zigzag opening centered around the parrot and Robin Williams' job to the incident at Matthau's gas station (a plot point never mentioned or concluded), Ritchie spends no time developing anything. His choice of direction is simply to allow Williams to be as "zany" as possible and see how Matthau reacts to it. If it weren't for Jerry Reed this film would have been nearly an hour and a half of forced jokes, gunshots, and awkward moments. The story was pointless. In most instances I can find bits and pieces of a story which keeps my attention allowing me to be curious about how the ending will resolve itself. For there to be this resolution, there has to be a conflict. Ritchie attempts to create one with the entire "survival of the fittest" byline, but even that idea is never fully announced. I felt like a Ping-Pong ball in this film, constantly going back and forth between Williams and Matthau hoping that I would land on something that scored a point, but alas, this was the game that would never end. Ritchie even takes us into the wilderness in attempts to bring more laughs and eventually draw an ending, but again, nothing happens. Nothing is explained, nothing is developed, nothing is linear. Williams goes into the woods to be trained in survival, yet for the amount of time he was there it was as if he was unable to learn anything. Also, where did he get the funds to buy the house out in the woods? Then, without giving anything away, there was that pathetic ending. WHAT HAPPENED? I use big words there because there was not one iota of a conclusion. Enemies became friends, friends became enemies, and before words could be spoken the ending credits appeared.
I would like to announce this here, but I believe Michael Ritchie could not even handle the simplest of tasks with this film. The direction was horrible because Ritchie could not control his actors. It was obvious as you watched Williams and Matthau on screen that there were getting no advice or pointers from the man behind the camera. Ritchie didn't stop Williams during his rants (which at times were never relevant to the film) and did not help Matthau react to the insanity that Williams was bringing to the table. What should have been the best part of this film was easily the most painful to watch. Williams and Matthau, in this critic's eye, possibly could be ranked as the WORST comic pairing in cinema. Matthau's form of comedy is completely, if not 100%, different to Williams' shenanigans. While in some film cases this would work to a movie's advantage, for The Survivors, it did not. There were no characters for these two comedians to enter into. I sat during the entire hour and a half watching Robin Williams be Robin Williams and the same for Walter Matthau. I could not see any semblance of a character between the two of them. Both seemed to jump from one trait to the next. Neither seemed to have a complete hold or knowledge of who they were attempting to portray. This is half due to the flimsy story, but mainly I place the blame on Ritchie. With Williams and Matthau at the helm, this had the beginnings of a hilarious possible gut-busting, laugh-out-loud comedy that would be a staple in the film community, but Ritchie, in my eyes, could not handle it. He relied to heavily on his actor's comic "personas" instead of actually building characters for them.
Overall, this was a very sad excuse for a film. I have read some other reviews that speak highly of the comedy in this film while do speak similarly of the lacking story, but for me everything was broken. There were no characters, there was no direction, there was obviously no story, and our two central actors didn't work for their money, but just read through their lines and gave a measly 30% to the final product. The only plus I give this film is the accomplishment of Jerry Reed. He was worth watching. The scene between his wife and I was nearly close to perfection. I think it was the only time that I found myself chuckling through this entire film. Ritchie could not handle this film and in the end The Survivors is probably a film that neither Williams or Matthau wants to remember.
Grade: ** out of *****
Fun, pointless comedy. Well worth the watch
ninjamidget2526 September 2013
I love to read the reviews of this movie talking about how there are plot holes and the movie lacks direction and on, and on, and on. The Austin Powers movies have plot holes a plenty and virtually no direction or underlying 'ah-ha's...but they're still really funny.
The one liners in this movie are classic Robin Williams and him and Walter Matthau play off each other really well. Throw in Jerry Reed and you have a party. If you're looking for something with plot and direction and some underlying meaning, this is not your movie. If you just want some good laughs in a corny comedy filled with some really great one-liners, this is right up there with the Austin Powers movies. Just don't go into it expecting to see something like Schindlers List and you'll be fine. For all the haters out there...lighten up! Stress'll kill ya!
The one liners in this movie are classic Robin Williams and him and Walter Matthau play off each other really well. Throw in Jerry Reed and you have a party. If you're looking for something with plot and direction and some underlying meaning, this is not your movie. If you just want some good laughs in a corny comedy filled with some really great one-liners, this is right up there with the Austin Powers movies. Just don't go into it expecting to see something like Schindlers List and you'll be fine. For all the haters out there...lighten up! Stress'll kill ya!
Snore.
gierran28 July 2003
This movie was very boring. When I was a teenager, I saw it in a theatre. I got up halfway through the movie to get some Raisinets. My leg had fallen asleep and I fell down in the aisle. I remember that vividly but I remember virtually nothing about the movie. Didn't Walter Matthau and Robin Williams stand in some snow at one point?
williams and matthau team up
ksf-225 September 2019
WHO KNEW there was another Walter Matthau movie that I had never seen?? and teamed up with Robin Williams. righteous. Made in 1983. when they lose their jobs, Sonny and Donald witness a holdup, and are on the run, trying to hide from the bandit (Jerry Reed) who is now out to get them. Reed is probably best known as Cletus, the truck driver from Smokey and the Bandit. To make things worse, one of them becomes a "doomsday prepper", and dares the bandit to come get them! This one needed tightening up.... Sonny has a daughter, and their banter with her really slows things down. and the script just wasn't as funny as some of the writer or the directors' others. written by Michael Leeson, who had written mostly for television, and did the screenplay for War of the Roses, another conflict scenario. Robin Williams is as energetic and goofy as always, and made this right after Mork and Mindy, and Garp. Matthau did this a couple years after my personal favorite, Hopscotch. Survivors wasn't their best work, but it's fun to see anything by Matthau and/or Willliams. Directed by Michael Ritchie, who had also done Fletch. and, of course, the Bad News Bears. part of the fun is mocking the doomsday student trainees, who got more than they expected when they signed up for the course. this gets preachy and serious right near the end, bringing things to a halt yet again. and the ending is pretty lame. This one started so quirky, with the administrative assistant cussing and acting silly, that we kind of lost that sense of fun along the way. it's ok.
Comedy ?..... Not Much
michaelarmer19 January 2020
This is supposed to be a Comedy about 2 losers who get involved with a hit-man, it does not work. its not funny and not well made.
Its an off one for Walter Matthau, he's not great and the the chemistry between him and Robin Williams is not there, Jerry Reed makes an unlikely hit-man, Robin Williams is not funny and just daft in this.
Some reviewers state that the negative reviewers don't understand that it's a comedy, maybe, but like I said it's not funny anyway.
Its an off one for Walter Matthau, he's not great and the the chemistry between him and Robin Williams is not there, Jerry Reed makes an unlikely hit-man, Robin Williams is not funny and just daft in this.
Some reviewers state that the negative reviewers don't understand that it's a comedy, maybe, but like I said it's not funny anyway.
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