A wonderful film – gay, warm, witty, amusing, lively, delightfully original – right up to the halfway mark. Then the scenario starts to fall apart. Writer, Neil Simon, runs out of ideas, so he stages an unconvincing quarrel. As a result, Jane Fonda – and the audience – lose interest in the proceedings and the whole movie simply goes to pot. There are over a hundred good jokes in the first seventy-five minutes, but there hardy any at all in the last forty-five! Director Gene Saks is of no help. He is obviously one of those directors who believe that direction should be inconspicuous – which it sure is! Fortunately, Joseph La Shelle's Technicolor photography is always pleasing. Much of the film – including the scene at the Plaza Hotel – was obviously shot on location, and that at least is a plus!
Review of Barefoot in the Park
