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Billy Crystal Leading 'Winter's Discontent' for Director Frank Oz Now

by Ethan Anderton
May 13, 2013

For about five years now there's been a script waiting to be produced called Winter's Discontent. The adult comedy has been described as follows: When Herb Winter's wife of fifty years dies, the faithful but sexually frustrated widower moves into a retirement community to start living the swinging single life. Last we heard back in 2009, Borat and The Dictator director Larry Charles was on board the project written by first-timer Paul Fruchbom and featured on last year's Black List. But now Deadline has word that In & Out and Death at a Funeral director Frank Oz is at the helm with Billy Crystal attached to lead the comedy.

This is exactly the kind of project Crystal needs to reinvigorate his big screen career. The star of such favorites as When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers and The Princess Bride has only had Monsters Inc. to keep him relevant. Last year's abysmal family comedy Parental Guidance might be his lowest point yet (though My Giant could give it a run for its money), but a loved script like this with The Dark Knight producer Charles Roven and Get Smart producer Alex Gartner behind the film through their Atlas Entertainment banner is just what the doctor ordered.

Crystal has great comedic chops, and as long as they don't dull down the mature nature of the hilarious script, this should be a big hit. As for Oz, when he gets behind the camera, there's usually satisfying results. If you haven't seen In & Out, it's a slightly dated comedy, but the content is more relevant than ever with a stellar comedic performance from Kevin Kline and an awesome supporting cast including Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon, Tom Selleck and Bob Newhart. Plus, Oz also has the original Death at a Funeral, Bill Murray's classic What About Bob?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and the underrated Bowfinger in his past. This definitely sounds like the perfect pairing for this script worthy of production.

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