The screenplay for this 1967 movie was written by Neil Simon, who adapted it from his own play of the same name. The story revolves around Paul and Corrie Bratter (Robert Redford and Jane Fonda), a newlywed couple, whose different attitudes to life lead to conflict. While Corrie is very free-spirited and spontaneous, Paul is more conservative and reserved. After a blissful honeymoon, they move into their new New York apartment – which is on the sixth floor of a shared house (with no elevator), tiny, with no heating, and a hole in the ceiling – and reality starts setting in. Further complications ensue when Corrie decides to set her mother up with their eccentric neighbour, Mr Velasco.
I thought this was an absolute gem of a movie. The two stars both look fantastic (Fonda in particular is stunning here), and both play their parts extremely well, and viewers are able to see both points of view in their various arguments. However, the love that they feel for each other shines through as well, and you can’t help rooting for them to work their problems out. (And I loved Robert Redford;s portrayal of a drunk Paul!)
There are some great one-liners as well, and the film is witty throughout. Much of the humour is provided by Mildred Natwick, as Corrie’s mother, who is brilliant in all of her scenes, as well as being a very likeable character.
This is one of those movies that just keeps you smiling throughout – some great comedy, and two very likeable leads make this one definitely worth watching.
Year of release: 1967
Director: Gene Saks
Writer: Neil Simon
Main cast: Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Mildred Natwick, Charles Boyer
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