A New Leaf

Elaine May's directorial debut is a gem of a romantic comedy -- sweet without being sentimental, very, very funny and perceptive about the darker side of human nature. Walter Matthau stars as Henry Graham, a snobbish, high-living playboy who squanders all his money. He sees his ticket to wealth in the guise of Henrietta Lowell, a socially awkward botanist (Elaine May) who happens to be an heiress to a fortune. Intending to marry and then kill her, Henry finds a kindred eccentric in this trusting soul, who drinks Mogen David Extra Heavy Malaga wine ("every year is good").