Wall Street broker Howard Brubaker (Jack Lemmon) is in a stifling marriage to Phyllis (Sally Kellerman). After getting promoted, he gets invited to a fancy party at his boss Ted Gunther (Peter Lawford)'s high class apartment. He is terribly awkward and then he meets Ted's wife Catherine (Catherine Deneuve). The two unhappily married people find comfort with each other and decide to run away to Paris.Jack Lemmon is a straight laced businessman. Catherine Deneuve is a tired rich wife in a loveless marriage. The movie showcases them facing a series of silly '60s situations as an earnest naive man trying to impress lovely Catherine Deneuve who can't help but fall for him. The husband Peter Lawford desperately clinging to Deneuve has some funny moments. Sally Kellerman is more annoying than anything. She never listens to Jack Lemmon and in turn, the audience. It seems there's never any point in Jack Lemmon trying to explain anything to her. All in all, the two leads are what sells this movie. There's nothing great about the writing but maybe a couple of good laughs.

As I recall from seeing "The April Fools" back in the late '60s-early '70s, this film is worth seeing just for a brilliant performance by Sally Kellerman in the role of Howard Brubaker's long-suffering, and forever home-decorating wife, who springs to life fully-formed three decades before the first house renovation and make-over TV series ever aired. It's true that there's a lot of stylish fun in this film, but there's also a sense of regret and a longing for something that never quite worked out the way it should have for the Jack Lemmon character that gives "The April Fools" some real poignancy. But then, I've never found melancholy to be a particularly bad thing. The script is first rate, as are the cinematography, set-decoration and musical score by Burt Bacharach. If you can locate a copy of this gem, I highly recommend it.

My all-time favourite movie. Great Story, well filmed, superb cast, and captured the artificial attitudes of the 1960's perfectly.Jack Lemmon played the part of Howard Brubaker and, as always expected of Jack, he was great.Catherine Deneuve proved that her natural beauty is not just skin deep and who would have thought that She and Jack Lemmon would be such a resounding success together.Peter Lawford played Peter Lawford, as usual, very well and, was perfectly cast for the role of Gunther.Supporting cast were great and, since this early appearance of Kenneth Mars, why have we not seen more of him?

You have to watch this one a few times to get its rhythm. If you don't, you'll miss some gems. Jack Lemmon plays a man who finds himself disconnected from the world. No one wants to listen to him – his wife, son, boss, lawyer friend, even the family dog.The movie lacks punch. And one reason is the real absence of romantic chemistry between Lemmon and Deneuve. Jack Lemmon, as an actor, needs a lively romantic love interest to better match his manic style. Deneuve comes off as beautiful, wooden and lethargic. But Lemmon's acting power is undeniable. So again we're treated to the brilliant, sad clown.Harvey Korman and Jack Weston serve up a hilarious train ride and domestic scene. Charles Boyer's energy and wonderful voice entertain. Sally Kellerman does well epitomizing the Lemmon character's plight.It's a late Sixties period piece and manages to capture some of that.