A New Leaf (1971)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Elaine May

Writers:

Elaine May (writer)
Jack Ritchie (story)

Release Date:

19 July 1971 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Romeo and Juliet, Bob and Bing, Ulysses and Grant, George and Martha, Martha and John, Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice, Bob and Alice, Ted and Carol, Bob and Ted, Carol and Alice, Pat and Dick, Julie and David, Byron and His Sister, Bill and Coo, Liz and Eddie, Liz and Mike, Liz and Dick, Dick and Sybil, Eddie and Debbie, Muck and Meyer, Hollywood and Vine, Anthony and Cleopatra, and now Henry & Henrietta... the love couple of the seventies... and the laugh riot of the year.

Plot:

Examines the vapid life of a born to wealth New Yorker. After he spends all of what was left to him...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Botanist | Cynical | Marriage Proposal | Love

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Walter Matthau	...	Henry Graham
Elaine May	...	Henrietta Lowell
Jack Weston	...	Andy McPherson
George Rose	...	Harold
James Coco	...	Uncle Harry
Doris Roberts	...	Mrs. Traggert
Renée Taylor	...	Sally Hart
William Redfield	...	Beckett
Graham Jarvis	...	Bo
Jess Osuna	...	Frank
David Doyle	...	Mel
Fred Stewart	...	Mr. von Rensaeller
Gordon Mark	...	John
Rose Arrick	...	Gloria Cunliffe
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ellen Stretton

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:U | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Maine, USA

Company:

Aries Productions

Trivia:

The film as delivered by Elaine May was drastically re-cut and shortened ("butchered", according to some) by Paramount before its release. Sadly, neither the director's cut of the film nor the original shooting script has ever been made publicly available.

Quotes:

Andy McPherson: Who do I know who's pregnant and a good sport?

WHY is this film NOT on DVD!!!???

Il not recount the story, as others have. The lack of response and proper public recognition for this film my be due to Elaine May's very dry wit and wry sense of humor, which, I think, simply sailed over the heads of many viewers. And it's truly most unfortunate, as this is a VERY funny film (for those who are perceptive and appreciate the subtler and darker shades of humor and life)! To the dude who rated it a "1": "A New Leaf" was nominated for 2 Golden Globes (Comedy -- Best Picture and Best Actress) and for the WGA's (the industry's official Writer's Guild -- i.e., her peers, other screenwriters) writing award for best comedy (from another medium) that year! No offense, but I value my own (and their) sensibilities a bit more than yours!! And it's impeccably acted, as others have mentioned, filled with flawless comedic timing and wry, wry wit. Simply wonderful.