BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

(May 1967, U.S.)

However dramamtic and serious Robert Redford and Jane Fonda may have gotten on and off screen later in their careers, it's easy to see how funny they could be, especially when working together, in a film like Neil Simon's BAREFOOT IN THE PARK.

When Paul and Corie Bratter are first married, they can't get enough of each other. They become infamous for a short time at New York City's Plaza Hotel for never leaving their room. But when the hot and heavy honeymoon is over, the marriage and all of its startup living tasks (getting the phone hooked up, furniture delivery, etc.) has to begin...and that's when you find out that maybe you and your spouse were further opposites than you originally thought. Paul is a young, respectable, hard-working "stuffed shirt" attorney just starting his practice, while Corie is a free-spirited, spontaneous "screwball" determinded to create a romantice environment out of their one room apartment with no elevator, no working heat and a big hole in the skylight. She's also determined to love and appreciate their oddball neighbor upstairs, played by Charles Boyer, who's idea of a great evening is taking the Staten Island ferry in 32 degree weather to an Albanian restaurant that may or may not have a legal license and serves black salads.

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK is a comedy that stays concentrated on funny dialogue rather than stupid gags. This is the kind of comedy I appreciate the most. Not that a few gags don't work in this film once in a while. The scene where Paul is stuck on the glass skylight and starts to slide down while shouting his wife's name is actually pretty hysterical. The film also has some interesting on-location filming of New York City in the late '60's that makes for some interesting viewing.

Favorite line or dialogue:

Ethel Banks: "I had to park the car three blocks away. Then it started to rain so I ran the last two blocks. Then my heel got caught in a subway grating. When I pulled my foot out, I stepped in a puddle. Then a cab went by and splashed my stockings. If the hardware store downstairs was open, I was going to buy a knife and kill myself."