Plaza Suite

In 1971, the mastery of acting titan Walter Matthau, paired up with accomplished actresses Maureen Stapleton and Barbara Harris, gave birth to a light-hearted comedy movie named Plaza Suite. The film stitch together three distinct yet cohesive stories, each set in Suite 719 at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City. This Neil Simon comic gem, adapted from his own Broadway play, provides an entertaining examination of modern relationships, allowing viewers to get lost in laughter and towards a deeper contemplation of human relations.

Walter Matthau, who is famously known for his comedic timing and versatility, immerses himself in three different roles in the film. Each of Matthau's characters, showcasing the actor's vast talent and commitment to his craft, gives viewers a unique perspective on the complexities of human relationships. Matthau effortlessly transcends from Sam Nash, a middle-aged man dealing with his failing marriage, to Jesse Kiplinger, a successful Hollywood producer who attempts to reignite a long-lost love and finally to Roy Hubley, a father with a lot to learn about his daughter on her wedding day.

In each segment, Plaza Suite offers glimpses into the varying aspects of matrimonial ups and downs. Maureen Stapleton and Barbara Harris, shining in their roles, complement Matthau's performances beautifully. Stapleton plays Karen Nash, Sam's wife who is trying desperately to save her marriage. She carries on in an excellent portrayal of a woman who is both comedically naive yet heartbreaking in her efforts to revive what appears to be a disintegrating relationship.

Barbara Harris appears in the latter two stories, once as Matthau’s old flame Muriel and later as his daughter, Mimsey. Her undeniable talent allows her to create two wildly differing characters that both captivate the audience in their own ways. As Muriel, she encounters Jesse Kiplinger, who tries to revive their old romance during a short rendezvous in New York. In the final segment, she portrays the reluctant bride, putting forth a performance brimming with comedic brilliance and a touch of poignant tenderness.

As evident from previous Neil Simon works, humor serves as a device to bring out the truth in relationships, often embedded in complexities, mysteries, and absurdities. And Plaza Suite is no exception to this rule. Underneath the humor and the laughs, there is an exploration of themes including marital disharmony, fear of commitment, and the struggle to keep love alive.

Directed by Arthur Hiller, Plaza Suite tastefully makes good use of one single setting, the Suite 719 of the Plaza Hotel. Hiller constructs this movie as a concatenation of three individual plays, each with their unique storyline and set of actors. The singular location of the suite acts as a thread that binds these narratives together, giving the movie its unique format and appeal.

Adding to the film's value are its expert technical attributes. The art direction recreates the opulence of the Plaza Hotel with meticulous detail, enveloping the characters into a setting that is both grand and fitting to the narrative. On the other hand, the cinematography works masterfully, capturing the raw emotions and expressions of the characters within the luxurious confines of the suite.

Plaza Suite is a comedy classic that offers a generous dose of humor and wit, but it also presents a fascinating study of relationships and the universal truths that exist within them, regardless of time and place. Walter Matthau's adept performances in his three roles are delightful to watch and the strong portrayals of Stapleton and Harris supplement Matthau's acting skills impeccably. With Plaza Suite, viewers experience a richly rewarding blend of laughter, misunderstanding, reconciliation, and the innate human struggle to maintain connections, all housed in one singular suite of the Plaza Hotel. Whether you're a fan of star-studded cast performances or a lover of fine dramatic comedies, Plaza Suite from 1971 is a movie offering well worth a watch.