Barefoot in the Park (1967)

Strong and Moving!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Barefoot In The Park is an amazingly scripted and well-performed movie about a newlywed couple. Madly in love, opposites attract and find themselves spending all day and night inside their room for a whole week on their honeymoon. After the clouds fade, they begin to settle into their new apartment. There are a couple complications. The room is too small for anything other than a single bed, there is a crack in the ceiling, and the apartment is on the 5th floor. There is no elevator and every person is exhausted by the time they reach the top. Buckle in and get ready for a sweet and entertaining comedy.

All the glowing reviews astonish me. The ridiculous behaviors and reactions of the female characters bewilder me. How anyone could call this film "delightful" or "sparkling" is beyond me. Out of one hour, forty-six minutes and fifty-one seconds, I managed to hang on for approximately an hour and a half. But then I decided, no, there's no possible finale that could make up for the stupidity of what I have heretofore witnessed. So I quit and am writing this review. Save your money. Save your time. Save your hope for an enjoyable comedy for another day!

This is certainly one of Robert Redford's most animated acting roles which helped propel him to the A-list of 'movie stars.' Based on the Neil Simon hit Broadway play which Redford starred during its initial 1963-1964 theatre season and why he received star billing in the movie version over Jane Fonda who was a bigger box office draw at the time.BAREFOOT IN THE PARK represents one of the last sparkling celluloid moments of the sophisticated yet frothy screwball comedies which began in the 1930's through visionary directors like Howard Hawks and Leo McCarey. Director Gene Saks, together with Neil Simon's timeless screen treatment, quite seamlessly place their skills in motion here to reproduce the spirit of fun and mirth to the time worn plot of two newlyweds venturing forth on the rocky road of matrimony.The on screen antics between Redford, portraying a young, stuffy lawyer on his way up (that's five flights of stairs up, not counting the outside stoop to that sparse, tiny apartment) and Miss Fonda as a carefree spirit can best be described by her flustered comment to her new hubby; "Here I am trying to get you all hot and bothered and you're summing up for the jury."The wit and parry between Redford and Fonda parlayed through Neil Simon's sparkling dialogue makes for competitive verbal sparring which moves this contemporary classic along at a sprightly place. In fact, Redford's role here as a fastidious, button down attorney (right down to the functional topcoat and scarf) in this movie was so effective, he was almost turned down for the role of "Sundance'' in that certain other 'western' flick.Bolstered by a stellar supporting cast, perpetual screen romantic Charles Boyer adds neighborly spice to the proceedings. Mildred Natwick, fresh from the Broadway run, is delightful as the endearing mother-in-law and Herb Edelman, also recreating his stage role as a telephone line installer, has the best exit line. Neil Hefti's score provides a light, breezy musical quilt to snuggle up to.With New York City's Washington Square Park and the stately Plaza Hotel served as a relaxing backdrop, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK is just a Hansom Cab away.

Since the first time I saw a Jane Fonda film which (believe it or not) wasn't until Monster-in-Law (which I loved and she was amazing in...I don't care what anyone says) I've been a fan. Now with the amazing Netflix series Grace and Frankie, I'm hooked! I've also been a huge fan of Robert Redford's since I was a boy so the two of them together appealed to me! They both have incredible charisma on screen so how could this go wrong? Well it doesn't. The two of them are great and the film is cute and funny sometimes but I feel like this particular Neil Simon play doesn't translate quite as well from stage to screen as some of his other works. The running gags (living so high up, all the stairs, the guy in the attic, the tiny cramped quarters) just don't seem to be as funny as they think it is. The characters do grow on you by the end but in the beginning Jane Fonda's character is scary obsessive and irritating. I don't know if that's the point and its another running gag but she was a little scary. Then she starts to build a slightly more normal personality and Redford and her click a little better but even still the story stumbled around and just seems like it belongs on stage.Jane Fonda is and was full of energy and this is a good role for her. She's happy and hyper and full of pep and once the scary obsessive role is quashed, she is better. Robert Redford is good as her straight laced new husband but I feel like this role is simply too bland for him. If it was anyone but Redford, they would get lost in such a bland role but his charisma wins out. He doesn't get enough truly slapstick moments outside of his drunken scene near the end. Mildred Natwick is good as Fonda's mother who lets loose when she meets the man in the attic. Natwick actually gets some of the best scenes and is probably the most fun in the entire cast. Charles Boyer and Harry Pepper are both decent in small supporting roles and definitely add a hint of fun to the cast.I can absolutely see this being a good play but just in general I don't feel like this is Neil Simon's best work by far. The characters just don't have a lot of depth and the story feels almost rushed. Gene Saks started a small directorial career with this film and followed it with the classic Odd Couple (which I'm not sure I've ever seen believe it or not) but I'm just not sure he had what was necessary to make this memorable. The set is so simple (often the case when translating a play to screen) that it requires a strong, fast paced, funny plot but this one is just okay. It literally holds its own thanks to Fonda and Redford being the stars that they are. Otherwise it is a forgettable experience. 6/10