A New Leaf

Carbon on the Valves.
This comedy performance by Walter Matthou ranks with his best work, such as in The Odd Couple, Sunshine Boys etc. Unfortunately, not as many people have seen it, as this movie is a little-known gem.

I saw it as a second feature and almost missed it as I had never heard or read anything about it. We stayed, and laughed so hard I looked for it for years and told people about this odd film no one knows about.

Thank God cable aired it and it became available on VHS so I could recommend it to friends. The movie is simply hilarious.

Matthau is an arrogant, cultured, vain, selfish and rich snob suddenly finding himself penniless. His only salvation is to marry a rich woman and he finds the perfect target in the introverted and socially inept heiress/botanist played by Elaine May.

Matthau, dreading this intrusion into his perfectly ordered bachelor existence, decides murder of this ditz-of-all-time is the answer to all his problems. But, that...

WHY is this film NOT on DVD!!!???
I'm very pleased to see a flurry of 'new'/er reviews of this film. I only hope the DVD gods take notice!!

10 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-

WHY is this film NOT on DVD!!!???, 16 May 2005

9/10

Author: jim6263 from So.California, USA

I'll 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" (on IMDb): "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...

A triumph for Elaine May
This wonderful, laugh-out-loud comedy stars Walter Matthau as Henry, a witheringly sarcastic playboy who suddenly finds he has spent his entire fortune. In order to maintain his current lifestyle, he decides to marry someone-anyone-who is wealthy, which is a problem, as he basically hates women. Henrietta (Elaine May), his chosen target, is a very rich, but socially awkward-in-the-extreme botanist, whose life's dream is to discover a new form of fern. Henry woos and wins her, then decides to dispatch her on their honeymoon.

This largely overlooked comedy is a coup for writer/director/star Elaine May. The script is fast-paced, witty, and (most important for a comedy) truly funny and the characters, while outrageous, still ring true. Matthau's acid-tongued Henry is so pompous and snooty, you can't wait to hear what he's going to say next. May's performance as the innocent heiress is touching as well as hysterical. The twist at the end will leave you very satisfied with...

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