What is it, in summary?: A New Leaf is a heartwarming black rom-com about planning to marry rich so you may murder your wife. Henry Graham, an aging playboy, suddenly learns that he has absolutely exceeded his income, and he has no way to support himself in the manner to which he is accustomed. He concocts the plan to marry rich then murder. In the pursuit of this, he meets Henrietta Lowell, a clumsy botanist who is absolutely filthy stinking rich. He woos her quickly, and plans to strike. Except. In the process of caring for Henrietta, cutting tags off her clothes, sorting out her finances, supporting her work, will he begin to love her? Has he in fact become a better man because of his marriage? Find out in Elaine May's first directorial debut!
What do you love about it?: It's the most touching love story that ever began with planned murder. It's so--tender? It's terribly funny and the dialogue is marvelous.
What really heightens this film for me is the relationship between Henry and Henrietta. There's something so lovely in how Henry starts out as a playboy bum, no motivations other than wealth and driving his fast car with carbon on the valves. And yet, as he cares for Henrietta, he becomes a much better person. He finds new things in life to care about, loath as he is to admit it. And Henrietta is lovely--not a manic pixie dream girl at all, but a real person who is exceedingly clumsy and in love with her special interests. She's naive, yes, but she's not stupid. I think it's interesting how she doesn't push for Henry to change, but he changes because of her very impact. The ending of this film makes me smile every time.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?:
I really want something focused around Henry and Henrietta's marriage post-canon. I want to see them working at the university together! Or just domestic life! Anything with them honestly. I adore them, and I want more! I'd also love Henrietta POV of when she realizes that Henry planned to kill her, and why she does what she does. Basically anything involving them I'd be super happy with.
I'm also super obsessed with how Henry continually caretakes her appearance, cutting off tags, brushing off lint, sorting out which way a garment is gone. I think it's both sweet and also makes me go!!! I'd love to see that explored in a smut context, especially with lingerie. I may be the first person to ever want smut for this movie, but I'm valid. XD
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: No, the whole movie must be watched.
Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): The subject of murder is continually brought up throughout the film, but there is no violence shown. There is a short shot in a sequence where Henry contemplates Henrietta getting killed in the woods in various ways that involves Henrietta being beset by Native Americans stereotypes.
A New Leaf (1971)
Media: Film
Approx length: 102 minutes.
Where to find it: https://pluto.tv/us/on-demand/movies/601aefd62678b7001a85e3d2?utm_source=plutotv&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=1000201&utm_content=1000735&utm_content_description=pluto_share&referrer=copy-link
What is it, in summary?: A New Leaf is a heartwarming black rom-com about planning to marry rich so you may murder your wife. Henry Graham, an aging playboy, suddenly learns that he has absolutely exceeded his income, and he has no way to support himself in the manner to which he is accustomed. He concocts the plan to marry rich then murder. In the pursuit of this, he meets Henrietta Lowell, a clumsy botanist who is absolutely filthy stinking rich. He woos her quickly, and plans to strike. Except. In the process of caring for Henrietta, cutting tags off her clothes, sorting out her finances, supporting her work, will he begin to love her? Has he in fact become a better man because of his marriage? Find out in Elaine May's first directorial debut!
What do you love about it?: It's the most touching love story that ever began with planned murder. It's so--tender? It's terribly funny and the dialogue is marvelous.
What really heightens this film for me is the relationship between Henry and Henrietta. There's something so lovely in how Henry starts out as a playboy bum, no motivations other than wealth and driving his fast car with carbon on the valves. And yet, as he cares for Henrietta, he becomes a much better person. He finds new things in life to care about, loath as he is to admit it. And Henrietta is lovely--not a manic pixie dream girl at all, but a real person who is exceedingly clumsy and in love with her special interests. She's naive, yes, but she's not stupid. I think it's interesting how she doesn't push for Henry to change, but he changes because of her very impact. The ending of this film makes me smile every time.
What sort of things are you likely to request for it?:
I really want something focused around Henry and Henrietta's marriage post-canon. I want to see them working at the university together! Or just domestic life! Anything with them honestly. I adore them, and I want more! I'd also love Henrietta POV of when she realizes that Henry planned to kill her, and why she does what she does. Basically anything involving them I'd be super happy with.
I'm also super obsessed with how Henry continually caretakes her appearance, cutting off tags, brushing off lint, sorting out which way a garment is gone. I think it's both sweet and also makes me go!!! I'd love to see that explored in a smut context, especially with lingerie. I may be the first person to ever want smut for this movie, but I'm valid. XD
Are there sections of canon (rather than the whole canon) that can be consumed by themselves to fulfil your requests, or that showcase particular characters and relationships?: No, the whole movie must be watched.
Content warnings (ie, rape, incest, racism, gore/violence): The subject of murder is continually brought up throughout the film, but there is no violence shown. There is a short shot in a sequence where Henry contemplates Henrietta getting killed in the woods in various ways that involves Henrietta being beset by Native Americans stereotypes.