Last of the Red Hot Lovers *** (1972, Alan Arkin, Sally Kellerman, Paula Prentiss, Renée Taylor) – Classic Movie Review 4662

Director Gene Sacks’s 1972 comedy of adultery stars some of the Seventies funniest movie people, who help raise a lot of laughter in this jolly, often very amusing film of Neil Simon’s play.

Alan Arkin stars as ageing, married restaurant boss Barney Cashman, who is having a mid-life crisis. He dreams of one last love affair, and, successively, tries to hit on Elaine (Sally Kellerman), Bobbi Michele (Paula Prentiss) and then Jeanette (Renée Taylor) in his mom’s flat.

Kellerman, Prentiss and Taylor are delightful and Arkin (only 38 but 45 in the film) gives a superlative performance. However, though there are lots of funny one-liners, some of the comedy is a bit dated and desperate and can give a sad-seeming impression now.

As so often, Neil Simon writes his own screenplay. Neal Hefti (The Odd Couple) provides the score.

Also in the cast are Bella Bruck, Sandy Balson, Frank Loverde, Burt [Bert] Conroy, Ben Freedman and Charles Woolfe.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4662

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com