A New Leaf 1971
I don't think I had ever heard of this movie, but I saw it while browsing and looked it up. It gets pretty solid reviews and was written and directed by Elaine May, who I liked from her work with Mike Nichols, which in turn I had learned about as one of the extras on Criterion's The Graduate blu-ray. So I got a digital copy. The movie is more about Walter Matthau's character, whose circumstances as an irresponsible trust fund adult force him to try to marry Elaine May's character, a wealthy, homely, clumsy, heiress who teaches botany and rides the bus. Matthau does a good job with his character, but it is pretty simplistic. And May does a nice job playing the bespectacled plant geek, much cuter than she should be, but again, it is a broad caricature. The movie has a very dry sense of humor, not really a rom-com, but has that kind of lightnesss. There are a few hammy supporting roles that are still enjoyable (George Rose is the standout as Matthau's butler) and everything turns out nicely. It could have used maybe more of an edge or more romance, but ends up lacking either one. It still has its charms and I could see where some people could really love it. It certainly looks great given its age and otherwise kind of low production values. This movie just misses a B+ for me.
Written: 18 Sep 2023
Owned on: Digital