Dr. Charley Nichols (Walter Matthau), a surgeon at Kensington General Hospital, has recently lost his wife, but returning to work after a three months vacation. Talking to his good friend Dr. Norman Solomon (Richard Benjamin), thanking him for taking over while he was away. Always being faithful to his late wife, he really now wants to live the sweet life.
Nichols lives up to his "promise" having lots of one night stands. But all is not well at Kensington, the leading doctor Amos Willough is getting quite old, and he's showing signs of senility. He still operates though, using methods used many years ago. That is bad luck for patient Ann Atkinson (Glenda Jackson), after Willoughby's old-fashioned treatment, she's wearing something looking like a boxing protection, making her unable to talk. Nichols sees this, and though Solomon advices against it, he operates Ann, who now can leave the hospital.
Willoughby gets real mad at Nichols, and accuse him of stealing his patients, threatening Nichols that he would fire him, if he doesn't recommends that he can continue his job for five more years.
By coincidence Nichols meets Ann again. Though it conflicts with his new sweet life he is willing to give a relationship with Ann a chance in a period of two weeks.
It all looks very promising, but something goes wrong at the hospital. A patient, Harry Grady (Lloyd Gough), a very rich patient, dies during operation, his wife Ellen threatens with a lawsuit. As she has a soft spot for Nichols, Willoughby wants him to persuade her not to do such a drastic thing, no matter how.
Will Nichols be able to convince Ellen, will this harm his chances with Ann, will he be fired or will he recommend Willoughby for one more period.
This is a really smart rom com from 1978 directed by Howard Zieff, and he has a completely wonderful cast. A film that shows that you can tell a story without changing camera positions every five seconds. Walter Matthau was a legend. And the music is by Henry Mancini.
Nichols lives up to his "promise" having lots of one night stands. But all is not well at Kensington, the leading doctor Amos Willough is getting quite old, and he's showing signs of senility. He still operates though, using methods used many years ago. That is bad luck for patient Ann Atkinson (Glenda Jackson), after Willoughby's old-fashioned treatment, she's wearing something looking like a boxing protection, making her unable to talk. Nichols sees this, and though Solomon advices against it, he operates Ann, who now can leave the hospital.
Willoughby gets real mad at Nichols, and accuse him of stealing his patients, threatening Nichols that he would fire him, if he doesn't recommends that he can continue his job for five more years.
By coincidence Nichols meets Ann again. Though it conflicts with his new sweet life he is willing to give a relationship with Ann a chance in a period of two weeks.
It all looks very promising, but something goes wrong at the hospital. A patient, Harry Grady (Lloyd Gough), a very rich patient, dies during operation, his wife Ellen threatens with a lawsuit. As she has a soft spot for Nichols, Willoughby wants him to persuade her not to do such a drastic thing, no matter how.
Will Nichols be able to convince Ellen, will this harm his chances with Ann, will he be fired or will he recommend Willoughby for one more period.
This is a really smart rom com from 1978 directed by Howard Zieff, and he has a completely wonderful cast. A film that shows that you can tell a story without changing camera positions every five seconds. Walter Matthau was a legend. And the music is by Henry Mancini.