Sadly, rumors persist that Elaine May wasn’t a good director. Sure, she wasn’t particularly skilled at finishing her films on time, or within their assigned budgets—but she delivered sheer genius every time she stepped behind the camera. Of course, it’s difficult to appreciate that now, since she’s been so unfairly served by video: only Mikey and Nicky (1976) is available on DVD. (It’s outrageous that The Heartbreak Kid, 1972, has never been released—especially after that god-awful remake—although one can sometimes find it streaming at Netflix.)
Hence, we must rely on YouTube. After the jump awaits May’s first feature, A New Leaf (1971), an wonderful, ultra-dark comedy starring both her and Walter Matthau. (Briefly: Matthau plays a spoiled brat who, having exhausted his inheritance, resolves to marry the wealthy May, then murder her.)
Enjoy!
[...] A New Leaf (1971) [...]
[...] Heartbreak Kid was May’s second film, her followup to 1971′s A New Leaf (already featured on FF). I don’t know much about how well it did at the time. Shepherd had of course just scored a [...]
[...] A New Leaf (1971) [...]
[...] linked to online copies of two Elaine May films on Feature Friday—The Heartbreak Kid (1972) and A New Leaf (1971), both still up at YouTube. Now I’m happy to link to a third; I like Elaine May that [...]
[...] the first time this film is being released on video? I’ve featured it on Feature Friday, here. Wiki article’s here. It stars Walter Matthau, of course, as well as the great Ms. [...]
Hi. Thanks for the Elaine may post. I’m elated that “A New Leaf” is finally coming out on DVD. One correction: May’s “The Heartbreak Kid” has been released twice on DVD. I had both editions, but they went by the wayside in my great purge of 2007. I do love that film.
Thank you for the correction! Adam
[...] A New Leaf (1971) | related: “A New Leaf” is finally getting a DVD release [...]