Here’s my theory: Elaine May took Neil Simon’s script (based on a Bruce Jay Friedman story) read it once with the cast and then left it somewhere in an office when she went to make this movie. The performances are so fucking absolutely perfect they had to be improvised. This film is Charles Grodin’s masterpiece. Everything he says is hysterical. Now: this movie was made in 1972, so I think it is fair to say that Bill Murray and Steve Martin both were very influenced by it. (Jim Carrey and Richard Kind, too.) Eddie Albert, Cybil Shepherd and Jennine Berlin (May’s daughter) are specatcular, too. Critics would say the movie is dated (although the outfits are fabulous!) but if you can just get your head into the times a little bit and recognize the taboos you’ll really be blown away by this film. Elaine May’s career is so strange. Obviously a tremendous output of brilliant work as a comic with Mike Nichols in the sixties — then four films as a director. This and “A New Leaf” are near-perfect comedies. “Mikey and Nicky” is a tremendous character piece. “Ishtar,” yeah, a flop, sure. . .and then nothing. Two decent scripts for Mike Nichols and a supporting role for Woody Allen. What does this woman do all day? She can’t put together a few grand for a picture shot on video or something? Seems a shame such talent is going to waste.
