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A New Leaf

Play trailer Poster for A New Leaf G 1971 1h 42m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 70 Reviews 82% 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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A New Leaf

A New Leaf

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) Mar 29, 2025
It’s goofy and bleak and perfect. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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David G @DavidGonzo May 2, 2026 I saw this when it first came out in 1971 and I'm so glad I saw it again. See more Giancarlo Z @Giantcarlot Dec 21, 2025 This is my favorite movie. See more Will G @Kingofthepixies Dec 12, 2025 The absolute pinnacle of movie making. See more Mike V @Mike26 Jun 10, 2025 Henry & Henrietta… the love couple of the seventies... and the laugh riot of the year. A New Leaf is a 1971 American black comedy film written and directed by Elaine May in her directorial debut 🍃 It’s good 🙂 Worth a watch. I’d recommend it if you like this genre 👍🏼 After running out of funds, Henry Graham, a carefree playboy, plots to marry and murder wealthy botanist Henrietta Lowell. See more Blu B @RT43513976 Dec 31, 2024 A RomCom Classic. The script is very charming, witty, cynical, and sweet. Balancing the tone perfectly with excellent editing pacing. The acting and cinematography is really good too with really good direction. May is excellent as the clumsy, awkward, but sweet and charming Henrietta. Everyone else is really good but she steals the show for me. The settings are very memorable too. The only real complaints is the music isn't bad but it's not used enough and I wish it were a bit more catchy. Finally, this is very witty, clever, and keeps you guessing. For me it can be a bit lacking in the humor department which this clearly is going for. When it hits it really hits good but it goes long stretches where it can be just a bit dry. I wish it was a bit more consistent with the humor and fitting the laughs better into the witty first rate script. Anyone though who is a fan of romance, comedies, the director, or any actors in this should still check this out. It's really good. See more Dallas H @RT53171010 Nov 12, 2024 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels intertwined with The Odd Couple; I liked it. See more Read all reviews
A New Leaf

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Cast & Crew

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Elaine May

Director

Walter Matthau

Henry Graham

Elaine May

Henrietta Lowell

Jack Weston

Andy McPherson

George Rose

Harold

William Redfield

Beckett

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A New Leaf

A New Leaf (1971) A New Leaf (1971) View more photos

Movie Info

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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