I adore this film! Every time I see it, it just gets better and better. Mind you, the first time I saw it, I thought "Hmmm... ain't so sure 'bout this one". I don't recall the reason behind watching it again after my initial luke warm reaction; I'm only glad I did.
"A New Leaf" concerns the exploits of spoilt New York "gentleman", Henry Graham (the truly wonderful Walter Matthau) and his attempts to find a rich wife who can replenish the fortune that he's frittered away. The charmingly naive and unsuspecting Henrietta (the multi-talented Elaine May) is his chosen victim and his intent is to marry her, murder her and spend her considerable fortune at his leisure. However, he doesn't reckon with her con-merchant lawyer and his entorage of assorted leeches and soon finds himself taking charge of the badly organised household that's happily ripping off poor, trusting Henrietta left, right and centre.
It's largely the performance of Walter Matthau that makes this film such a joy to watch. Although his character never really seems to lose his arrogance or selfishness, you can't help warming to him and delighting in the way Henrietta manages to change his intentions without ever seeming to know it. It's also worth watching for the wonderfully understated performance of George Rose as Harold, Henry's "gentleman's gentleman"; always aware of what his employer is up to but discreet enough to do no more than pass the most innocuous of comments in his lilting Scottish accent.
Don't pay too much heed to what the detractors have said about this movie. Take a look for yourself and you might find that its innate charm completely wins you over.
"A New Leaf" concerns the exploits of spoilt New York "gentleman", Henry Graham (the truly wonderful Walter Matthau) and his attempts to find a rich wife who can replenish the fortune that he's frittered away. The charmingly naive and unsuspecting Henrietta (the multi-talented Elaine May) is his chosen victim and his intent is to marry her, murder her and spend her considerable fortune at his leisure. However, he doesn't reckon with her con-merchant lawyer and his entorage of assorted leeches and soon finds himself taking charge of the badly organised household that's happily ripping off poor, trusting Henrietta left, right and centre.
It's largely the performance of Walter Matthau that makes this film such a joy to watch. Although his character never really seems to lose his arrogance or selfishness, you can't help warming to him and delighting in the way Henrietta manages to change his intentions without ever seeming to know it. It's also worth watching for the wonderfully understated performance of George Rose as Harold, Henry's "gentleman's gentleman"; always aware of what his employer is up to but discreet enough to do no more than pass the most innocuous of comments in his lilting Scottish accent.
Don't pay too much heed to what the detractors have said about this movie. Take a look for yourself and you might find that its innate charm completely wins you over.