Barefoot in the Park is one funny movie from director Neil Simon and highlights the comedic talents of two people on the verge of stardom, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford as Corie and Paul Bratter. They are ably supported by Charles Boyer as Victor Velasko, the neighbor, and Mildred Natwick, as Corie's mother Ethel. Herb Edelman is a repairman, whose forays to the apartment bring some hilarious lines delivered with his fine brand of Jewish humor.
The story is dated but the acting more than makes up for it and the repartee between the two major characters is exceptional. Taking place in New York City, a newly-married couple take up residence in a leaky, drafty, walk-up apartment (five storeys up). There is a running gag every time visitors climb the stairway, since they collapse from exhaustion on arrival.
Much in love, Corie and Paul must deal with the fact that they are two totally different personalities. She is a bubbly extrovert and talking machine and he is a rather staid, young lawyer, who must suffer the butt of her jokes. Charles Boyer, a free spirit like Corie, gives Ethel a new lease on life. Following a side-splitting double date with Victor and Ethel,Corie and Paul face a shakeup in their relationship that reaches a finale when Paul becomes drunk and goes barefoot in the park. In this scene, Robert Redford shows his talent, trading roles with Jane Fonda, as he staggers and hops around Washington Square.
It is great to see Fonda and Redford in action just before they made the leap to stardom, not to mention the superb supporting cast. Great fun...recommend.
The story is dated but the acting more than makes up for it and the repartee between the two major characters is exceptional. Taking place in New York City, a newly-married couple take up residence in a leaky, drafty, walk-up apartment (five storeys up). There is a running gag every time visitors climb the stairway, since they collapse from exhaustion on arrival.
Much in love, Corie and Paul must deal with the fact that they are two totally different personalities. She is a bubbly extrovert and talking machine and he is a rather staid, young lawyer, who must suffer the butt of her jokes. Charles Boyer, a free spirit like Corie, gives Ethel a new lease on life. Following a side-splitting double date with Victor and Ethel,Corie and Paul face a shakeup in their relationship that reaches a finale when Paul becomes drunk and goes barefoot in the park. In this scene, Robert Redford shows his talent, trading roles with Jane Fonda, as he staggers and hops around Washington Square.
It is great to see Fonda and Redford in action just before they made the leap to stardom, not to mention the superb supporting cast. Great fun...recommend.