I saw A New Leaf on Pluto, and now I'm deep diving into Elaine May. I loved it.

Fantastic video. May deserved a Supporting Actress Oscar nom for _Small Time Crooks_ - an insanely brilliant comedic performance.

Elaine May is a treasure . . . and an amazing actress in her own right. I watched Nichols and May doing their takeoff on the British classic film, the love story "Brief Encounter" - the dentist sketch. And she plays it without breaking. Such a pro.

Elaine May is such a gifted artist. Wish I could see more of her. Huge respect.

it’s criminal she doesn’t get the praise she deserves

Interesting video. I.came back to writing about film after previously being a film critic years ago. I'm more an admirer of A New Leaf, a film I'm in love with, than most of May's work.i I do like The Heartbreak Kid and Micky and Nicky. After seeing this, I may consider doing an essay on one of her films. Good video. Nice titles. Quality footage.

Dude I'm loving these deep dives! Thank you!!

What a great analysis!

Watch Mikey and Nicky and THEN watch all the other ones. Her brilliant comedic insights are actually through her own personal “feminist” gaze: she understands and questions the behavior of MEN. And it’s hilarious. Brilliant writer, brilliant dramatist.

Fantastic video!

Wonderful analysis & presentation! Thanks for this.

Wow never heard of her but I have watch Heaven Can Wait and love it so will check out her other films.

I love this! Elaine is a Goddess! Would love to see you do a video on Hal Ashby, that is, if you like his films. :)

this is an interesting subject. i've seen a bit of the nichols and may skits, but never really got into them. i saw new leaf once (i love walter matthau) but i didn't really enjoy it. the heartbreak kid is one of my favorite movies and she directed that. mikey and nicky i saw recently and i thought it was pretty flat. tootsie of course was a big hit. ishtar was unfairly lambasted; i saw it more than once and dug it's funny, ridiculous vibe. the birdcage is fantastic and hilarious, and although it's an adaptation, as the writer she's responsible for the humor/translation. primary colors was also quite insightful and high quality for its time.

Love Elaine May and like/love the films she directed; she's not the greatest comedy director", not of all time. Her greatest movie wasn't even a comedy. People get so over-hyperbolic, everybody talks like a 1980s movie (or music) critic. She was a great artist who directed some movies, her writing and performing skills were ultimately her most impressive talents. Calling her "the greatest comedy writer" would be way closer. It would have been great if she had gotten to direct more, but that's the story with lots of directors who balloon budgets, ala Erich Von Stroheim. Eventually no one will give them money. I love "Mikey And Nicky", one of the great 70s dramas and as an improvisational artist, she knew what to do with these two great actors. "A New Leaf" is a lovable movie but it doesn't hold a candle to her ex-partner's movie from the same year, Mike Nichols' "Carnal Knowledge", or even fellow contemporary comedian-turned-director Woody Allen's "Bananas", which came out a month later, one of his earliest and silliest. She's an intriguing and enigmatic eccentric, super cool, and a one-of-a-kind talent. THAT'S how you describe Elaine May. If she wants to write, perform or direct, I'm interested! But the arts ain't a football game. She's part of the great mosaic of outstanding 20th century artists.

I know Lanthimos but who’s Austin I need to peep?

maybe if she would've gotten that carbon of the valves checked out her career wouldn't have stalled

Ishtar. Three-two-three-two, four-two-three AND--