A New Leaf 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

A New Leaf 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 17, 2025

Elaine May achieved great success and industry respect in the world of comedy, becoming a star alongside her partner, Mike Nichols, with their unique brand of humor and interplay. After their breakup, Nichols made his way to Hollywood, forging a career as a director, while May was a little less committed to the change, eventually making her helming debut with 1971’s “A New Leaf,” also scripting the feature. Remaining true to her comedy skills, May turns the picture into something unexpected and odd, joining star Walter Matthau on a journey into love and death, following the interests of a man without morals trying to make a fortune by killing his new wife. “A New Leaf” has laughs and excellent performances, and it also establishes May’s directorial approach that would carry on throughout her short oeuvre, remaining fond of cast interactions and strange experiences, allowing the actors room to work their magic as the writing finds its way to eccentricity and behavioral quirks that make the viewing experience interesting when pacing starts to fatigue.

Henry (Walter Matthau) is a man of money, or at least once was. Living a life of comfort, Henry is soon informed that his trust fund has been depleted, leaving him with zero cash to live on. This news comes as a shock to the man, who relies on his valet, Harold (George Rose), for emotional support, refusing to believe this is the end of his opulent lifestyle. Asking his Uncle Harry (James Coco) for a $50,000 loan, Henry is faced with a complete dismantling of his life and removal of his precious art collection if he doesn’t pay his family member back in six weeks. Henry hatches a plan to find and marry a wealthy woman, planning to murder his new wife to make sure he collects all her money. The hunt is on for a quick spouse, pushing Henry out of his comfort zone as he has to deal with people and nature, but he finds the perfect target in Henrietta (Elaine May), a clumsy botanist who responds to his attention, opening her life to him, which is filled with others also taking advantage of her, almost competing with Henry to be the first to claim possession of her fortune.

Henrietta doesn’t really enter “A New Leaf” until the second act, allowing the material to become intimate with Henry and his selfish ways. He’s been rich his entire life, accepting only the best the world has to offer, but the end is near, and he seems to know it. His prized Ferrari requires constant attention, and he spends his days trying to avoid communication from his lawyer, as reality threatens to interrupt his lavish routine. It’s an unusual part for Matthau, but he sells the elitism and internal panic facing Henry perfectly, and May doesn’t take it easy on the character, soon sending him into the dating scene to capture the attention of a woman, though he has no interest in other people. Challenges are found in his hatred of nature and charity, ultimately forcing a connection to Henrietta, which brings May into the film, and she’s ready to play with an awkward, surprisingly messy woman (a great character detail) who’s caught up in a sham romance that’s explored throughout the rest of the feature.

For additional information and analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2012 Blu-ray review and Svet Atanasov's 2017 Blu-ray review.

A New Leaf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray

"A New Leaf" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2012 and 2017, and now returns with a UHD release, listed as a "new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative, presented in Dolby Vision HDR." This Cinematographe release gives the feature a richly film-like appearance with nicely resolved grain. Detail is excellent, getting into the textures of skin particulars on the cast, exploring age and perspiration. Costuming is fibrous, examining thicker suits and dresses. Interiors are open for inspection, exploring living spaces and offices, which carry plenty of decorative additions. Exteriors are deep, visiting New York City and trips into nature. Color is sharp, with crisp primaries throughout the viewing experience, including the redness of Henry's car and Uncle Harry's appearance. Hues remain vivid with house tours and clothing choices, and greenery is distinct. Blacks are deep, and highlights are tasteful. Source is in good condition, with very mild scratches.

A New Leaf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA secures the straightforward listening event for "A New Leaf." Dialogue is sharp and emotive, preserving performance choices and dramatic emphasis. Musical offerings provide capable support, with clear instrumentation. Atmospherics are appreciable.

A New Leaf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film writers K.J. Relth-Miller and Maya Montanez Smukler.

• "The Cutting Room Floor" (12:59, HD) is an interview with Angelo Corrao, who began his career at a production house, finding his way into the editing department, where he discovered his calling. Corrao was soon hired on "A New Leaf," finding himself in the middle of an arduous post-production process as director Elaine May and Paramount Pictures disagreed on the cutting of the feature, eventually overseeing a three-hour-long version of the movie. The interviewee recalls the labor of the work, handling May's filmmaking impulses and vision before the studio stepped in and removed the helmer from the process. As "A New Leaf" was Corrao's first time in the big leagues, the experience was educational, exposing him to May's insecurities and the studio intervention, and he reflects on his relationship with the director, responding to her focus on the work and personal peculiarities.

• "Director Jail" (22:30, HD) is an appreciation piece from writer Carrie Courogen.

• "Looking for Elaine May" (14:53, HD) is a video essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

• "Elaine May and Mike Nicholas: In Conversation" (69:03) is 2006 appearance from the legendary comedy team, recorded at the Walter Reade Theater in New York City.

• "AFI Silver Streams Podcast: 'A New Leaf' 50th Anniversary" (48:22) is an episode of the audio program.

• "Women in Hollywood" (7:02, HD) is an interview with director Amy Heckerling, who highlights inspiration provided by Elaine May, looking to the filmmaker for hope in an industry that doesn't provide many opportunities for women. The interviewee recalls her experience on "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," fighting executives who didn't want her to make the movie, wary of the tone she was creating. Talk of "A New Leaf" is provided, celebrating May's work on the feature, and Heckerling mourns the loss of mid-budget features about dramatic ideas.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:52, HD) is included, and could very well be the most 1971 trailer of 1971.

A New Leaf 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"A New Leaf" was reportedly cut down from a much longer version that May submitted to the studio, and one can sense some editorial indecision in the picture, especially in the second half, which feels a little too disjointed at times, lacking focus as the story adds more characters and complications for Henry and Henrietta. The charm of the movie remains in the details, as May offers low-fi style that concentrates on performance and a visual sense of pressure on Henry. "A New Leaf" works with an outstanding cast to bring May's strangeness and dryness to life, and the helmer remains curious about these people and their corrupt ways, trying to find her way to an ending while soaking up all the bits of humor and humiliation along the way.