Barefoot in the Park is an enjoyable look back at the type of screwball comedies that aren't really made anymore. Based off of the play by Neil Simon, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford are a young, newlywed couple who have just moved into their own apartment in New York. Fresh off of their honeymoon, Corie (Fonda) begins to set up their apartment, located on the top floor and requires all the characters to climb multiple flights of stairs to reach it. Paul (Redford) heads off to work at his up-and-coming law firm, which is already beginning to take up most of his time. Rather quickly, Corie and Paul begin fighting as Corie becomes friends with a wacky man who lives upstairs and drags them around the city to parties, and Paul realizes he does not enjoy being as freesprited as Corie.
Since the film is based off of a play, it primarily takes place in one location (the apartment) with very few set changes, and only consists of five characters the entire film. Movies like this don't around often anymore, so the structure of the film takes some getting used to at first, but once you fall into the rhythm of the film, it simply becomes a fun way to pass two hours.
Much of the film's humor and plot comes from an obviously bygone era (the play opened on Broadway in 1963), as some of the jokes fall flat, but overall, Barefoot in the Park is a wholesome, fun film that I think anyone can enjoy, especially fans of classic Hollywood.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Recommended for fans of: classics, The Odd Couple (1968), comedy, Funny Girl (1968), What's Up, Doc? (1972)
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