A New Leaf

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A New Leaf

G,

1971,

1h 42m,

Comedy

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94%

70 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

70 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

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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Molly Haskell

Village Voice

Apr 20, 2022

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

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Susan Stark

Detroit Free Press

Feb 10, 2022

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.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

Feb 10, 2022

4/4

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

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Mar 29, 2025

It’s goofy and bleak and perfect.

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Dave Giannini

InSession Film

Feb 23, 2024

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.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Sep 12, 2022

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

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Harry G

Oct 29, 2018

The ending is a bit hard to buy (which is a flaw that should be attributed to the producer who re-cut the film against Elaine May's wishes), but still this is a refreshing and extremely funny comedy that benefits from an excellent script and Matthau's hilarious performance.

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Poe P

May 28, 2017

"If you can't be immortal, why bother?"

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Elaine May

Director

Walter Matthau

Henry Graham

Elaine May

Henrietta Lowell

Jack Weston

Andy McPherson

George Rose

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William Redfield

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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
Producer: Joseph Manduke, Hillard Elkins, Howard W. Koch
Screenwriter: Elaine May
Production Co: Paramount, Aries Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 42m

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