A New Leaf

One of America’s greatest comic legends, Elaine May, made her debut as writer and director in the wonderful A New Leaf. Unanimously acclaimed from the start, but unavailable for many years, it now stands as a classic alongside Harold and Maude, Bananas and M*A*SH as a key film in the new direction of American screen comedy in the 1970s. The great Walter Matthau stars as Henry, a once-rich playboy who has obliviously spent his entire inheritance. Desperate to marry into further financial support, he meets Henrietta (Elaine May), a shy, awkward, though independently wealthy botany professor. What follows is a giddy tale of dubious legal advice, ruthless skullduggery and ferns. A most unorthodox romantic comedy, stuffed with deadpan hilarity and brilliant comic invention.