A funny thing happened on the way to the Covid19 rental…so I had the Zelig failure, and determined to save Woody’s creative reputation, I found a recent (2016) free limited series starring Woody and Elaine May called Crisis in Six Scenes and I realized how prolific and funny Elaine May is (and she is 88 in a week, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!). Of course she’s a two time Oscar nominated screenwriter for Primary Colors and Heaven Can Wait.
So down I went into the Elaine May filmography and for a mere 3.99 (see how bias changes when the movie is great?), I had at least 15 laughs watching A New Leaf from 1971 starring Elaine and Walter Matthau.
Elaine was nominated for a Golden Globe Best Actress in this gem and plays a nerd I efinitely resemble. She takes a bus, likes obscure sweet alcohol drinks, and is darn right clutzy. Oh, and she actually likes reading books and going to bed early.
I’ve literally lusted over Matthau’s sarcastic bravado and joining him with comedic glory is Jack Weston and oh my Lord, the tragic things you find out when you research….George Rose who does an outstanding job as Matthau’s butler was murdered by his adopted son in the D.R. in the latt 80’s. Goodness….
So watch it in tribute to him if anything else.
Critics rated it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and I concur.
