Sonntag in New York

If you're one of those shallow enough to complain, as another reviewer does, when a film "betrays it's Broadway roots," you're probably not sophisticated enough to appreciate the very real pleasures of a film like Sunday IN NEW YORK where the lines in the screenplay actually contribute enormously to the enjoyment of the film. While not quite as well crafted as the classics of the genre, Neil Simon's BAREFOOT IN THE PARK or Jean Kerr's MARY, MARY, Sunday IN NEW YORK benefits enormously from Norman Krasna crafting the screenplay from his own successful Broadway play.

Krasna is, in fact, prescient in several of his lines where he acknowledges that "in the future" people will take these things more in their stride - at least to the extent of premarital sex at the age of these characters - but while the age of experience may have shifted, the frustrations and anxieties of initiation probably never will and following "innocent" Jane Fonda, her protective but experienced brother, Cliff Robertson and the object of her temptation, Rod Taylor, through these beautifully filmed 105 minutes will provide not only enormous fun for those grownup enough to enjoy the ride without explosions and chase scenes (actually, there are a couple of those!) but a wonderful window on how we viewed our sex lives only a few years ago.

Sunday IN NEW YORK may be on a craft level of Neil Simon's first Broadway (and film) hit, COME BLOW YOUR HORN, but Krasna had been providing satisfying works for both Hollywood (WIFE VS. SECRETARY, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, WHITE Christmas) and Broadway (DEAR RUTH, KIND SIR) for decades before Simon started, and this represents some of his best comedy writing. It's a second tier joy. Consider making it a "flying double feature" (Robertson plays an airline pilot with TWA which is complicating HIS sex life) with the British BOEING BOEING, and you've got a great Sunday's escape in any city you please. Solid literate fun.

Yes, it's dated. In the early 60's New York apparently was inhabited entirely by good-looking middle-class white people, smoking was sexy (yuck), and the double standard between men and women was still in full unchallenged swing. But there's something strangely engaging and sweet about this movie, partly because New York is shown in such an innocent light, partly because the chemistry between the actors, particularly the young Jane Fonda and not-so-young Rod Taylor, is playful and endearing. At times it bumps along as it switches from the Fonda/Taylor plot line to Cliff Robertson's lovelife difficulties, but the music and the setting alone are almost enough to keep you interested. (Loved that multi-level apartment!) And the farce that ensues as Eileen's (Fonda's) brother, potential fiance and potential paramour tangle with each other is sometimes genuinely funny. I was surprised - though it has its flaws, I found the film to be a pleasant sigh from a more innocent time.

The plot of "Sunday in New York" is very adult. At the same time, it's a mainstream release in 1963, meaning that although adult the studio would have to pull its punches in the film. In other words, while the story clearly is about sex, they don't mention sex nor is the film especially risque by today's standards.

When the story begins, Eileen (Jane Fonda) arrives unexpectedly in New York City to spend some time with her brother. As for him, Adam (Cliff Robertson) is a womanizing pilot...and he has his latest conquest coming to the apartment. Not surprisingly, Eileen's arrival throws a monkey wrench into his plans. So, Adam spends most of the rest of the film trying to get some alone time with one of his girlfriends....and Eileen vacillates between wanting to stay pure or getting laid.

The acting is very nice, with four excellent leads. The story is also interesting, as it challenges some of the traditional views of women held at the time...and has a clever script. Not a must-see but an enjoyable time-passer.

One of the best romantic comedies I've ever seen. Jane Fonda has just been dumped because she wouldn't have sex before marriage and decides to spend a week in New York to forget her problems. She meets a guy on a bus and before long they're having coffee together. One thing leads to another and they're in her brother's apartment in bathrobes and her ex walks in! He assumes the guy is Jane Fonda's brother, and that's when the movie starts getting incredibly funny. It's like a screwball comedy with Cary Grant, and played very well by all the actors. Her real brother ends up playing someone else. Rod Taylor is really charming and cute and the brother is hilarious with a whole other subplot concerning his girlfriend and how all of their dates fall through. I'd never heard of this movie until it was on TCM and I'm surprised it's not more well-known. A real hidden gem, highly recommended!

I saw this when it appeared in 1963 and loved it. Bought the LP as soon as I could find it because of the wonderful Peter Nero score. Bought the VHS as soon as it appeared. Watched it with my grown children last night (in their thirties) and they enjoyed it, and laughed at all the right places. With excellent dialog and a classic story and one of the best movie soundtracks ever, to us this holds up very well. Am trying to start a campaign to have the movie issued as a DVD and the soundtrack on CD. Whoever owns the rights is missing out. This is absolutely comparable to 'You've Got Mail', 'Sleepless in Seattle', and 'When Harry Met Sally'.