A New Leaf

A New Leaf is a 1971 black comedy film directed by Elaine May, who also stars in it alongside Walter Matthau and Jack Weston. The film offers an engaging blend of comedy, romance, and suspense, with undercurrents of satire and irony that adds depth, making it so much more than just a simple comedy.

Walter Matthau plays the role of Henry Graham, a careless and self-absorbed playboy with an extravagant lifestyle, not caring about anything but his own pleasures. He is without a job or a sense of responsibility, and his only skills are spending money extravagantly and living in extreme luxury, relying utterly on the generosity and wealth of his affluent parents. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he suddenly finds himself penniless due to his excessive, uncontrolled spending. His attorney, Beckett, who is portrayed by William Redfield, breaks the news to him that his fortune has abruptly run dry.

With no aptitude or desire to work and abhorring the thought of living a middle-class life, Graham comes up with a desperate and peculiar plan to restore his wealth. He decides to find and marry an affluent woman and then murder her, thus inheriting her wealth and returning to his lavish lifestyle. Following this scheme, Graham embarks on a search for an unsuspecting millionaire woman to execute his devious plan.

Elaine May showcases her acting prowess by portraying the character of Henrietta Lowell, a rich but naive botany professor with a tendency to be extremely clumsy. She is an heiress, awkward, poorly socially skilled, and completely consumed in her world of botany. Being highly ignorant of the world around her, Henrietta becomes the perfect target for Henry's fortune-hunting escapade.

The shrewd but now helpless Graham starts courting Henrietta, although it seems more of a challenge than he had imagined due to her eccentric nature and constant clumsiness. Matthau does an exemplary job in personifying a gold digger's desperation, discomfort, and impatience while trying to win the seemingly oblivious and accident-prone Henrietta.

Parallel to the primary narrative runs the subplot of Jack Weston as Uncle Harry, Henrietta's rather suspicious trustee, who adds another layer of intrigue to the storyline. Uncle Harry, unconvinced of Henry's motivations, creates a series of obstacles, making Henry's journey even more complicated than he initially assumed it to be.

A New Leaf, while primarily being a comedy, certainly does not shy away from exploring some darker themes. It mirrors societal attitudes, such as the allure and pitfalls of wealth, the disdain for a less privileged life, and the shallow tendencies of the superficial socialites.

The film's cinematography is excellent, with quality visual narratives and storytelling, resulting in the audience having some great laughs while being engrossed in the captivating plot twists. The costumes, particularly of Matthau, are designed and presented in a way that perfectly aligns with his character's obsession with luxury and disdain for anything less.

May's directorial debut leads to comic situations juxtaposed by darker tones, with some slapstick elements cleverly woven into this hilarious narrative. The dialogues are sharp and witty, and the pacing of the film is excellent, holding attention from start to finish. It is a timeless classic, as it doesn't lose its charm and continues to entertain despite decades passing since its release.

A New Leaf's prime strength lies in the splendid performances of Matthau and May, their impeccable comedic timing, and their ability to bring their characters to life with authenticity. Matthau displays a fantastic array of expressions that reveal his character's cunning nature, desperation, and growing discomfort, while May wins the audience over with her innocent demeanor and obliviousness.

In conclusion, A New Leaf combines comedy and subtle human tragedy to paint a bold picture of two contrasting personalities. The director and co-actor, Elaine May's genius lies in her ability to blend humor, romance, and suspense with social satire so seamlessly, making A New Leaf a uniquely entertaining comedically dark and worth watching film.