US (1973): Drama
Star Jack Lemmon was so eager to see this film make it to the big screen that he waived his salary rather than have the film exceed its tiny budget. Lemmon plays "The Great American Tragedy:" Harry Stoner, an upwardly mobile garment manufacturer whose underhanded business tactics are beginning to catch up with him, and whose keeping-up-appearances lifestyle has forced him into bankruptcy. The script, by producer Steve Shagan, does nothing to endear us to Lemmon: he flagrantly cheats on his wife, arranges business deals by servicing his clients with prostitutes, and finally agrees to torch his warehouse to collect the insurance money, all the while paying empty lip service to his lost ideals. Nonetheless, one "feels" for Lemmon throughout, especially when he breaks down while giving a speech to his assembled buyers, imagining that the audience is populated by his dead army buddies, who gave up their lives to make the world safe for good-for-nothings like himself. Save the Tiger tends to wallow in its own self-righteousness, but Jack Lemmon rises above the script's pretensions, delivering a bravura performance. Equally effective in supporting roles are Jack Gilford as Lemmon's conscience-stricken partner and Thayer David as a smarmy arsonist. John G. Avildsen directs for Paramount. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
3 nominations, 1 Award
· Actor 1973: Jack Lemmon
· Supporting 1973 1973: Jack Gilford
· Writing (Story and Screenplay based on factual material or material not previously published or produced) 1973: Steve Shagan