Movie Review: A New Leaf (1971)

A New Leaf (1971) written and directed by Elaine May

Spoiled, selfish rich man Henry Graham (Walter Matthau) has run into a big problem--his inheritance has run out. With no money and no real friends, he begs for $50,000 from his unsympathetic uncle (James Coco) to put up a front while he spends six weeks in search of money the old fashioned way...by finding a rich woman to marry. At least, that's the idea of Henry's butler (George Rose). Henry's not so keen on marriage (that's the selfish part in him) but he needs to repay the loan or he will lose everything else (the Ferrari, the clothes, the butler, etc.). After encountering some undesirable prospects, Henry settles on Henrietta Lowell (Elaine May), a painfully shy and awkward heiress. To Henry, she is also undesirable but he wants the money and the rich lifestyle to which he is accustomed. He plans to marry her and then bump her off, so he can have the money and the privacy he wants. But he needs to get her affairs in order, including a houseful of conniving servants and her lawyer who does his best to keep Henrietta as his source of income. Henrietta is helpless at confronting those exploiting her and the home situation is out of control. As Henry takes care of more stuff for Henrietta, he starts faltering on his selfishness. Maybe they both will live happily ever after?

Matthau does a good job as the unlikable cad who really cares more for himself than for anything or anyone else. The transformation of his character is very subtle and he plays it very well. At the start, he claims he has no skills or ambitions. Once his money is gone, he finds motivation (though maybe not the best motivation) that makes him more active. His heart may not be in the right place, but at least it is in motion. As it moves, he becomes a better person. By the end of the film, he crosses the threshold into being a good person.

Recommended. It's a fun comedy and a good character sketch.

This is featured on A Good Story is Hard to Find Podcast #251, the inspiration for me watching the movie.