A New Leaf

G

1971

1 hr. 42 min.

Comedy

List

94%

69 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A spoiled and self-absorbed man who has squandered his inheritance, Henry Graham (Walter Matthau) is desperate to find a way to maintain his lavish lifestyle. Henry sees an opportunity when he meets Henrietta Lowell (Elaine May), an awkward and bookish heiress. Though Henry courts Henrietta, he has no intention of remaining with her, and he develops a surprisingly sinister scheme. As Henry attempts to execute his plan, he finds that seeing it through may not be as easy as he had thought.

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Critics Consensus

Elaine May is a comedic dynamo both behind and in front of the camera in this viciously funny screwball farce, with able support provided by Walter Matthau.

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Linda H

One of our favorite movies! Silly and full.. full of off beat characters.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/24

Full Review

Alec B

Its a shame we never have and probably never will see May's original three hour cut because as wonderfully weird and funny as the current version is, the film's energy does fizzle out towards the end. Perhaps with the darker subplots restored this could change, but since that is unlikely I'll take the sweet, oddball romantic comedy we got instead.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/23

Full Review

Tic Toc M

It's not the movie she wanted to make, but it definitely has its charms. Ultimately, I find the treatment of her character a bit infuriating, but the performance is adorable. And although Matthau's character is the source of that infuriation, he's great as always. I find it very dated in the same way that "Where's Poppa" (the Carl Reiner film from the previous year) feels dated to me. But both films have great scenes, moments, performances, early 70s photography, etc. i would LOVE to see how she originally envisioned the film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/04/23

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Sandy K

I loved it. They fit the roles so well. Nobody else could play their parts so well ! Comedy worth watching.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/22

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Mary C

I love this comedy. Elaine May is terrific.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/21

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matthew d

Satisfyingly subversive in all of Elaine May's witty brilliance! Writer and director Elaine May's romantic black comedy A New Leaf (1971) is a display of May's genius as a refined director of real vision as well as a thoughtful writer with her hilarious script. A New Leaf is both a romantic comedy about two unlikely people finding out they rely on one another as much as it is a black comedy about a newly broke rich man trying to con his way into wealth once more. Elaine May's words come from the heart as she pulls out what people in a relationship genuinely connect to one another for as they learn what they value. She does this by having a horribly selfish man fall for a hopeless klutz as they develop this sincere bond out of a ridiculously fun situation. A New Leaf is so sweet and playful. I highly recommend it for May's funny screenplay alone. Elaine May was a talented director as well with a fearless approach to dark subject matter she effortlessly delivers to us on a silver platter with a grim sense of humor. She goes from slapstick to peerless satire of the lazy rich leeching off of others in society with less money and status. May is wonderful as the adorable and endearing lead actress in A New Leaf. She is playful, innocent, hysterical, gullible, and lovable as the klutz Henrietta Lowell. Her physical comedy skills like not being able to don a Greek nightgown properly or endlessly spilling tea is hilarious. Similarly, her eyes full of earnest love and longing are so cute as she warms up to Henry. Walter Matthau has never been funnier with his ultra deadpan delivery as a pompous, whiney, rich man Henry Graham, who feels entitled to wealth and a life of no work. Matthau convinces you that this horrible man could find real feelings for a woman he has come to respect for her decency, kindness, and intelligence. He really puts forth the effort as he learns about her area of expertise and attempts to like the things she does. Matthau is realistic as the foolish man of means with his devious and cruel plot to kill a wealthy girl after marrying her for her money. He is just a riot to watch deliver joke after joke with a smug smirk or a roll of his eyes. Jack Weston's absurdist lawyer Andy McPherson is funny with his outrageous pleas to Elaine May not to marry Matthau's two faced con man. George Rose is amazing as Matthau's steadfast butler Harry with his constant gags and dry wit. James Coco looked like he had a blast filming A New Leaf as Matthau's jolly and greedy Uncle Harry. Gayne Rescher's cinematography has so many creative perspectives and wide shots for capturing all the visual gags as well as May's verbal jests. Fredric Steinkamp, Don Guidice, and Edward Beyer's editing cuts quickly from the cringe and camp moments to the witty black humor for a briskly paced 102 minutes of fun and romance. Neil Hefti's score is playful and eerie at times as he manages to match May's dark tone for the black comedy as well as a silly lightheartedness for the romantic portions. Anthea Sylbert's dresses and suits for Elaine May are so cute on her. She has this fashionable blend of leftover 60's mod style with a more modern elegance for May's more ladylike outfits. All of Matthau's suits are very trimmed and tidy on him too. In short, A New Leaf is a delightful romantic comedy and a deliriously clever black comedy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Elaine May

Director

Walter Matthau

Henry Graham

Elaine May

Henrietta Lowell

Jack Weston

Andy McPherson

George Rose

Harold

William Redfield

Beckett

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Molly Haskell

Village Voice

The picture as it now stands is very funny indeed, but more charming than uproarious, and quite surprisingly romantic.

Apr 20, 2022

Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit Free Press

Maybe you can't even remember the last time you saw a purely lovable movie. A New Leaf, Elaine May's airy romantic comedy about a penniless bon vivant's pursuit of a gentle but very wealthy frump, will refresh your memory.

Feb 10, 2022

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

A New Leaf is one of the funniest and most tender films I have ever seen.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 10, 2022

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

In a movie full of darkness, Elaine May is a pure light giving just enough to change Henry from pitch dark to just a slight amount of gray. Enough to care for her and enough to make us believe it.

Feb 23, 2024

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

A New Leaf comingles 1930s screwball, 1940s Preston Sturges, and 1950s Ealing comedies to uneven but sometimes sublime results.

Sep 12, 2022

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Anne Louise

Contra Costa Times

Elaine May underplays Henrietta and steals every scene; hers is a fresh new screen talent. She directed and scripted the picture as well.

Feb 10, 2022

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Synopsis

A spoiled and self-absorbed man who has squandered his inheritance, Henry Graham (Walter Matthau) is desperate to find a way to maintain his lavish lifestyle. Henry sees an opportunity when he meets Henrietta Lowell (Elaine May), an awkward and bookish heiress. Though Henry courts Henrietta, he has no intention of remaining with her, and he develops a surprisingly sinister scheme. As Henry attempts to execute his plan, he finds that seeing it through may not be as easy as he had thought.

Director: Elaine May
Screenwriter: Elaine May
Production Co: Paramount
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012

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