Amazon.com

Elaine May wrote, directed, and starred in this acidic comedy about a wealthy playboy (Walter Matthau) who discovers that he has nearly spent all of his fortune. Casting about for a solution to his money problems that won't actually involve work, he finds a desperate solution: He'll marry an heiress (May) for her fortune. The hitch: She's a social maladept ("The woman is feral," Matthau growls). Indeed, Matthau finds marriage so intolerable that he decides there's only one course of action, which is to actively pursue making himself a widower by bumping her off. An offbeat, funny, and dry film, with a wonderfully misanthropic performance by Matthau and a sharply drawn one by May. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Timeless classic
A New Leaf is a suprisingly unknown gem. If you were to watch this movie in another 20 years, it would still be as funny as the first time you saw it. Absolute classic comedy that appeals to all ages. Wonderful performance by May & Matthau. Can't say enough about May's performance. Priceless. They don't make movies like this any more. If you want to see how comedy should be done, you'd need to see this one, because it is the best. All others should be compared with it. I've rented it numerous times, but never found a copy of the original. I was a teenager when I first saw this from a real, and could never forget it. It is, without a doubt, my favorite of all time. This movie has been, sadly, edited of the most choice scenes from the original. I meet people all the time who have seen the original, and remember all the clipped scenes. The original is worth it's weight in gold - a must own. I give it 5+ stars.

Funniest film of Matthau's oevre. May is also brilliant.
This has been a favorite movie of my sister's and mine for ten years; this year I'm going to give her a copy for Christmas. Matthau's roles often exhibit some variation on his take on "The Odd Couple's" Oscar Madison. Here he plays half against type, convincingly presenting a mannered, cultivated snob, while maintaining and even expanding on his usual grouchy, wise-cracking attitude.

It's got laugh-out-loud moments, and is packed with enough wry scenes and subtle performances that it demands multiple viewings to catch them all. Many touching insights, too, but never a long rest between chuckles. Things do slow a bit at the end, but no more than most great comedies.

Now I read Maltin's capsule review and am amazed that May distanced herself from the final edit. Good gravy, could it have been significantly better? While not a masterpiece of cinematography or special effects, this certainly ranks as a comedy which, particularly if Maltin is correct, demands a Director's Cut.

Very dated, thin plot, not funny
I know that everyone's funny bone varies but this movie is
just NOT very funny. Any family that makes the viewing of this
movie an annual tradition for all ages needs to get real. If
you want to see Walter at his best, stick with Hello Dolly.

It's all true.
This movie is so clever and funny, that it is easy to miss the love story at its heart. It is one of my all-time favorite films and I've been evangelizing it for years.

I'm only adding this review to encourage lobbying to bring this film out on DVD and restore it to May's original cut.

So if each person who reads this will get the movie and show it to 10 friends, and so on, and we get a huge deman for the full three our releas on DVD, we might create movie history.

It is a crime that this movie has been so badly neglected since if was first released.

Barkeep, Gimme Mogen David Malaga Cooler!
Saw this movie in the theatre many years ago, and never ever forgot it. It has become the source of numerous family jokes (poor Henrietta and her lapful of crumbs) - we've even gone so far as to order a Mogen David Malaga cooler at a fancy restaurant -- much to the alarm of the server. This is really how comedy should be done - not vulgar or gross-out, just a great set of characters. Oh, and how about that scene with the toga/nighty? That still makes me scream! Give yourself a treat and get this movie - you'll watch it over and over. ... Read more

Amazon.com

At the time of its release in 1987, this Elaine May production was bandied about as one of the worst films of the decade. It was nominated for three Razzie Awards that year--Worst Picture, Screenplay, Direction--but it still was not the nadir detractors claimed it to be. (Remember, that was the year Norman Mailer's self-indulgence spilled all over the screen in Tough Guys Don't Dance.) If this comedy had been made by unknowns, it would have simply faded into the obscurity it deserves. The fuss came about because May squandered much talent and a ridiculously large budget, rumored to exceed $40 million, returning less than half of that in ticket sales. Two artistically challenged lounge musicians (Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman) are jettisoned out of the States by their agent, who finds them a gig in Morocco. En route, they become pawns in an international power play between the CIA, the mythical emir of Ishtar, and upstarts hoping to overthrow the emir's regime. There are some humorous bits, such as when Hoffman and Beatty so badly perform their horrible ditties that audiences are left appalled. Most of the time however, we are the ones lulled into a near daze by a hokey script and boorish jokes about blind camels. If Abbott and Costello had made this flick, it might have worked. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (68)

The Parody That Tops Them All
Sadly, "Ishtar" is a completely misunderstood movie by way of the critics. If one takes it for what it is, one will see that it is purely a parody (and a very funny one at that). Hoffman and Beatty are brilliant in their ability to act so terribly dense and untalented and play it all with a straight face. They play songwriters who aspire to be famous, and they truly believe that their songs such as "Wardrobe of Love" and "Dangerous Buisness" could be sung by Simon and Garfunkel themselves. Charles Grodin gives a brilliant performance as the butt-kissing CIA agent, and Elaine May wrote the clever script that is filled with witty remarks and totally hysterical action. "Ishtar" is up there with all the other great screwball comedies such as "The Producers" and "Some Like it Hot". I've never laughed so hard while viewing a movie before. Absolutely give this movie a chance.

Don't tell anyone, but I LOVE Ishtar
Ok, so MOST of my friends either refuse to watch the video with me or fall asleep ten minutes into it. A very few of my friends agree that this movie is so far beyond bad that it's terrific. I've seen Ishtar more times than I can remember, and every time I laugh. If you're a little quirky, and if you're willing to take the movie as a song and character showcase (forget the plot!), then you may have found a new favorite movie to torture your loved ones with.

I'm not kidding.

Imagine if you will Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty singing (badly) these super lines:

"I said come look there's a wardrobe of love in my eyes/ Come on in, take a look and see if there's something your size."

"Telling the truth is a dangerous business/ Honest and popular don't go hand in hand./ If you admit that you can play the accordion/ No one will hire you in a rock-n-roll band."

You live your life and I'll live mine, and mine will always include a copy of Ishtar.

Ishtar Was Overlooked
Elaine May's Ishtar is one of the all time grossly overlooked comedies. Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty are hilarious in this intelligent comedy. The solid and understandable plot never tires and this portrait of two losers is very funny. Small funny contribution by Charles Grodin.

a brilliant comedy...waiting to be re-discovered
perhaps the high concept was never accepted by the critics......a hope and crosby road movie ...with beatie and hoffman.....naive americans mixed up in foriegn intreige....a pretty girl sought after by both.....good guys bad guys......the gun selling scene which must rate as one of the funniest scenes ever filmed.....hoffman mistaken for a gun auctioneer tries to fake his way in pidgin arabic saying things like ...abdul jabar,chad gadya, an other such stuff.

buy it ,see it, youll laugh

I would buy the DVD~!
You have to bring this out on DVD

It is a milestone movie! It has to be done!!
Yes it takes great acting to come up with this totally funny Movie...
Everything that killed it when it was released only adds to the legend!!
I am having the whole neighborhood over when it comes out on DVD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

After her brilliant career in a comedy duo with Mike Nichols, Elaine May made tentative progress as a director, making only four films between 1971 and 1987 (her last being the disastrous but underrated Ishtar).Released in 1972, The Heartbreak Kid (from a screenplay by Neil Simon) is widely considered her best work from behind the camera, and it's still one of the most accomplished--but least recognized--comedies of the 1970s. Charles Grodin landed one of his best roles as Lenny, a newlywed husband who meets a gorgeous blonde (Cybill Shepherd) while on his honeymoon, and finds his new bride, Lila (played by May's daughter, Jeannie Berlin), unappealing by comparison. When Lila is forced to rest with a severe case of sunburn, Lenny's free to pursue his new interest, oblivious to the manipulative games that he'll soon be subjected to. May and screenwriter Simon draw plenty of pain, awkwardness, and embarrassment from hilarious situations, giving this comedy a perceptive awareness of human foibles and unchecked desires. It's a newlywed's worst nightmare come true, made enjoyable because we're watching it happen to someone else. Grodin's a prime choice of casting for expressing the movie's lusty anxiety--he's a schmuck, but you can still sympathize with the anguish he's brought on himself. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (10)

"There is no deceit in the cauliflower."
Charles Grodin is hilarious (as are his sideburns) and pathetic as a man who, while on his honeymoon, falls in love with another woman. He decides to prove himself to Cybil Shepard (the woman he's fallen in love with) and her father (rich, conservative, loathes Grodin) by leaving his wife in mid-honeymoon and following Cybil and her family back to Minnesota and trying to win her hand in marriage.

Classic lines include: "Don't... don't do that, honey. Don't ever put a Milky Way in someone's mouth when they don't want it." and "There is no deceit in the cauliflower."

One thing I found surprising about this movie is that Charles Grodin's character isn't really all that likable. For that matter, pretty much everyone in this film is somewhat morally bankrupt. Not that that's a bad thing... it just surprised me because the screenplay is by Neil Simon, whose stuff tends to be a bit lighter.

All in all, this is definitely worth seeking out... it'll take you back to the days when movie-makers actually knew how to make a comedy that was FUNNY...

CULT MOVIES 43
43. THE HEARTBREAK KID (comedy, 1972) Lenny (Charles Grodin) a young Jewish man, marries seemingly perfect-match Linda. On their way to their honeymoon in Miami Lenny realizes that Linda's various idiosyncrancies are driving him crazy. In Miami he meets Kelly (Cybill Sheperd) a young-WASP beauty whose lustful innuendoes he falls under. After 2 days of courting her he decides to leave Lina and go away with Kelly. He follows her to Minnesota where he plans to marry her. However, Kelly's rich parents object to her seeing the undaunted Lenny. But he shamelessly fights for Kelly's hand in marriage.

Critique: Extremely funny, satirical film adapted by Neil Simon and directed by Elaine May. It is Charles Grodin's best outing, proving that once he could act and have a comic touch (his persona has become strangely wooden, as if entranced or something). Lenny is the ultimate, unthinkable 'schmuck' who cons his way into any situation. The comedy of the film relies on his unnerving pursuit of Kelly, and how his ridiculous lies and deceit work to his favor. Trying to pass himself as an honest, likable fella, we are astonished that Kelly even notices him. Thinking that 'honesty is the best policy', he repeatedly infuriates those around him with his pathetic stories. Inspite of all this, we can relate to this guy. Maybe because at one time or another we have sunk as low when pursuing our lusts. At the end, you really have to admire the guy for trying. After all, the never say attitude sometimes works.

QUOTE: Lenny: "You were very attracted to me. You were? . . That's cute, that's a really cute thing. So I was. . .something to do?"

A Great American Comedy
Thankfully, Anchor Bay(Genuises!!!) has re-issued this classic comedy with a nice widescreen transfer. It's a fantastic film and deserves a nice dvd. Though the dvd has little in the way of extras, I was still pleased as it one of my favorite films. I rank it right up there with great American comedies like ANNIE HALL. It's certainly the darkest stuff that Neil Simon's ever had a hand in. Grodin, Berlin, Albert and Shepherd-they're all excellent here. A great film from a great female directorial voice(Elaine May-who also directed A NEW LEAF with Walter Matthau-why is there no dvd for that film yet!). At a low list price, this film is impossible to pass up on dvd!

The Great Gatsby With a Twist
Lenny is a repulsive, vapid nonentity who, with nothing but ambition, represents the most ugly kind of American imaginable, the ruthless upwardly mobile narcissist who will trample on anyone--including his wife--to get what he wants, namely, Cybil Shepherd, who plays a young woman from a family of old money. To use a cliche, watching this movie is like watching a car wreck. You cringe, you laugh, you shake your head in disbelief (yet you believe all the same!) as Lenny, played by Charles Grodin, manipulates his bovine wife and sets the stage to marry the Cybil Shepherd character. I've seen this movie a half a dozen times over the last twenty-five years and feel compelled to hail it a masterpiece, a variation of The Great Gatsby theme.

A Qualified Winner
On the surface, The Heartbreak Kid is a small movie with a simple plot. Lenny (Charles Grodin) dumps his wife (Lila played by Jeannie Berlin) of five days to pursue a beautiful coed (Kelly played by Cybill Shepherd). Standing between Lenny and Kelly is Kelly's possessive father (Mr. Corcoran). Character portrayal is almost perfect. Charles Grodin is convincing as the self-centered and reckless Lenny. Finding an actress more capable of playing the naive and boy-teasing Kelly (Cybill Shepherd) would have been very difficult. Eddie Albert (Mr. Corcoran) stands like a brick wall between Lenny and his conquest (Kelly).

More interesting than the character portrayal and story line are the underlying motives of the characters, and the consequences of their actions. Lenny abandons his wife (Lila), and leaves her brokenhearted. He is headstrong and determined, but also callous and foolish. Kelly's affection for Lenny is quite immature: she see's him as a strong father figure although he is actually egotistical and, quit frankly, short-sighted. The most mature and rational character in the film is Mr. Corcoran. The Heartbreak Kid works as a lighthearted love story; that is, cute boy wins cute girl despite their social, economic and religious differences. Thankfully, The Heartbreak Kid doesn't attempt to promote any moral themes. If it did, the film would fail. The viewer could not be satisfied with the nice cute boy wins nice cute girl conclusion because the boy (Lenny) cares for no one except himself. In summary, The Heartbreak Kid is a qualified winner with just one caveat: don't think too much. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's not written or directed by John Cassavetes, but Elaine May'seclectic portrait of two petty, middle-aged goodfellas on the streets of Philadelphia is electrified by the same nervous energy and volatile personalities of Cassavetes's best work. Nicky (Cassavetes), a trembling wreck convinced there's a contract out on his life, calls his boyhood buddy, Mikey (Peter Falk), who comes to his aid in the middle of the night. Over thecourse of one long night stretching to dawn, they scramble through city streets, smoky bars, dark alleys, and a graveyard of ancient memories of camaraderie and duplicity. While they engage in mind games and accusations, a betrayal brews in the background. The tragedy of the drama is that they are likely the best friends either ever had, and the closest thing to family either of them has left. May takes her low-budget picture to the streets and lets friends and former collaborators Cassavetes and Falk hit their shaggy rhythm while she peels back their sneering bravado to find sad, scared, vulnerable men underneath. It was a down-and-dirty shoot for May, whose rush can be seen in momentary glimpses of her crew in a few shots and overhead lights sometimes dipping into the frame, but that same on-the-fly drive gives the film its edgy, restless energy. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (4)

How Did This Film Go Unoticed??
I Personally belive this film shows the gritty side of 1970's
crime world in great detail. Nickey, a nervous wreck thinks
someone has put a contract out on his life, calls upon his buddy
Mikey to help him as the two pair go on long night of tearing up
the streets and smokey bars and realizes their deep betrayal with every turn. Throughtout this film it sometimes resembles
1973's Mean Streets but not quite as good but holds it's own
with it's restless, edgy style.

HOLY SMOKE - where did THIS come from?
Mikey and Nicky is possibly my favorite film. I've introduced many people to it (by force) and i don't think a single one has afterward not put the film on their top 5 list. Elaine May wrote and directed this but Cassavetes' influence is everywhere. That isn't to take anything away from May who has demonstrated her genius in so many genres. this film, however, almost cost her a career. the studio was outraged at the stark realism and 'artistic nature' of the movie and blacklisted May for years afterwards and tried to bury the film. Peter Falk and John Cassavetes are astonishing, strange and beautiful in this work of art.

WARNING:THIS FILM IS NOT LETTERBOXED!
A word to the wise: those purchasing this video hoping to have a letterboxed version of "Mikey and Nicky" will be sorely disappointed. It was not SHOT widescreen. It was shot in the standard 1.33:1 ratio

The one-star rating refers to the false advertisement, not the film itself, which is a five star classic. A full fledged review will appear another time.

Still, it is a pretty good transfer.

When you are done being cool, care enough to watch this film
Forget hacks like Tarantino and Neil Labute! It's all too easy to whip up a few cynical and jaded characters that are too cool to express care and concern for the world or each other. Elaine May shows us the true horrors of friendship. She doesn't dress her characters up in black and white. They are as good as they are bad. She gets us to feel sympath for one of the characters only to suddenly have that character louse something up and our feelings for them turn to disgust. Where most films use flashy effects and plot twists to jar the viewer about, Elaine May has designed a roler coaster of emotions which takes many unexpected twists and turns. You are uncertain of just who you are suppossed to be rooting for. Suddenly you realize that there is no hero to champion. We must put ourselves in both of the characters' shoes. She forces us to see that there are two sides to every coin. She gets us to care for both of the characters and that makes it all the more shocking and painful when you realize that sometimes friends DO stab each other in the back. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

How Did This Film Go Unoticed??
I Personally belive this film shows the gritty side of 1970's
crime world in great detail. Nickey, a nervous wreck thinks
someone has put a contract out on his life, calls upon his buddy
Mikey to help him as the two pair go on long night of tearing up
the streets and smokey bars and realizes their deep betrayal with every turn. Throughtout this film it sometimes resembles
1973's Mean Streets but not quite as good but holds it's own
with it's restless, edgy style.

HOLY SMOKE - where did THIS come from?
Mikey and Nicky is possibly my favorite film. I've introduced many people to it (by force) and i don't think a single one has afterward not put the film on their top 5 list. Elaine May wrote and directed this but Cassavetes' influence is everywhere. That isn't to take anything away from May who has demonstrated her genius in so many genres. this film, however, almost cost her a career. the studio was outraged at the stark realism and 'artistic nature' of the movie and blacklisted May for years afterwards and tried to bury the film. Peter Falk and John Cassavetes are astonishing, strange and beautiful in this work of art.

WARNING:THIS FILM IS NOT LETTERBOXED!
A word to the wise: those purchasing this video hoping to have a letterboxed version of "Mikey and Nicky" will be sorely disappointed. It was not SHOT widescreen. It was shot in the standard 1.33:1 ratio

The one-star rating refers to the false advertisement, not the film itself, which is a five star classic. A full fledged review will appear another time.

Still, it is a pretty good transfer.

When you are done being cool, care enough to watch this film
Forget hacks like Tarantino and Neil Labute! It's all too easy to whip up a few cynical and jaded characters that are too cool to express care and concern for the world or each other. Elaine May shows us the true horrors of friendship. She doesn't dress her characters up in black and white. They are as good as they are bad. She gets us to feel sympath for one of the characters only to suddenly have that character louse something up and our feelings for them turn to disgust. Where most films use flashy effects and plot twists to jar the viewer about, Elaine May has designed a roler coaster of emotions which takes many unexpected twists and turns. You are uncertain of just who you are suppossed to be rooting for. Suddenly you realize that there is no hero to champion. We must put ourselves in both of the characters' shoes. She forces us to see that there are two sides to every coin. She gets us to care for both of the characters and that makes it all the more shocking and painful when you realize that sometimes friends DO stab each other in the back. ... Read more