Barefoot in the Park: A Quirky Confection of Comedy

The story is simple. The script is sharp. And the cast is spectacular.

Barefoot in the Park is a feel-good film in the evergreen category of comedy. After starting on Broadway in 1963, Neil Simon's smash hit eventually made its way to the screen in 1967—and it’s never failed to entertain since.

A marital romp full of frivolous fun, it epitomizes the mantra that opposites attract. Simon’s writing brings mismatches together from all angles with an interesting and spirited flair. A sitcom-style film about newlyweds, it’s a reflection of looking at your own life with laughter.

In the film, Robert Redford reprises his stage role as Paul Bratter, the stiff-shirt lawyer whose buttoned-up personality leaves little room for playful spontaneity. Jane Fonda stars as Corie Bratter, his free-spirited bride who has a zany zest for life, her husband and a good time.

When the honeymoon is over, the enamored couple is quickly faced with the realities of married life. Living in a rundown NYC apartment building filled with eccentrics left and right, their bond is put to the test with great comedic effect. And they begin to question if they are truly right for each other.

Redford’s dry humor and Fonda’s perky personality work wonderfully together through all their ups and downs. But the real standout performances in the film are from Charles Boyer, the kooky upstairs neighbor and Mildred Natick, Corie’s frenzied mother. Another mismatch made in heaven, they steal the best scenes.

In all of the light-spirited fun, this film shows that relationships take work. But if you really love someone, the work is an insignificant piece of the puzzle. Opposites attract because each person has what the other lacks, whether they realize it or not. If you hold the same morals and values, having contrasting personalities is usually a recipe for success.

So take off your shoes, kick back and relax with Barefoot in the Park. It’s a tremendously fun film that turns relationship hardships into a hilarious adventure, holding heartfelt truths about love.

#barefootinthepark #neilsimon #robertredford #janefonda #classiccomedy #classicmoviemaven