The Fortune Cookie (1966)

In the heart of Cleveland's roaring football stadium, a CBS cameraman, unwittingly becomes the star of a life-altering game. During a heated match, he is inadvertently knocked unconscious by a wayward player. This unfortunate incident catapults him into a whirlwind of deception and greed, orchestrated by none other than his crafty brother-in-law, William "Whiplash Willie" Gingrich, an infamous ambulance-chasing lawyer. In the sterile confines of a hospital, the brother-in-law hatches a cunning plan. He persuades the reluctant cameraman to feign paralysis, a ruse designed to extract a massive settlement from the insurance company. As the cameraman grapples with the weight of this deception, he finds an unexpected motivation. His charming ex-wife, drawn by the news of his 'misfortune', arrives at his bedside, igniting a spark of hope that love might be rekindled. However, the plot thickens as the insurance sleuths harbor suspicions, their hawk-like eyes scrutinizing every move for signs of deceit. A high stakes charade ensues, the tension mounting with each passing moment. All the while, the guilt-ridden football player, the unwitting pawn in this game, buckles under the strain of his accidental role in the cameraman's supposed predicament. "The Fortune Cookie" is a riveting comedic drama, marking the first successful team-up of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. The plot weaves humor and suspense into a rich tapestry of human emotion, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate a well-crafted narrative with a side of laughter.

The Fortune Cookie is a comedy movie featuring Jack Lemmon and directed by Billy Wilder.

The Fortune Cookie is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Pluto TV and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video.

It is also possible to rent The Fortune Cookie on Spectrum On Demand.