A New Leaf
After running out of funds, Henry Graham, a carefree playboy, plots to marry and murder wealthy botanist Henrietta Lowell.
Working with a limited budget of $4.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $5.0M in global revenue (+25% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A New Leaf (1971) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Elaine May's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 42 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Henry Graham
Henrietta Lowell
Uncle Harry
Andrew McPherson
Harold
Mrs. Traggert
Main Cast & Characters
Henry Graham
Played by Walter Matthau
A wealthy playboy who faces bankruptcy and schemes to marry a rich woman to maintain his lifestyle
Henrietta Lowell
Played by Elaine May
A clumsy, naive botanist heiress who becomes Henry's target and eventual wife
Uncle Harry
Played by James Coco
Henry's wealthy uncle who refuses to lend him more money
Andrew McPherson
Played by Jack Weston
Henry's loyal but concerned lawyer who helps him navigate his financial crisis
Harold
Played by George Rose
Henry's devoted butler who must be let go when Henry loses his fortune
Mrs. Traggert
Played by Doris Roberts
Henrietta's scheming housekeeper who tries to embezzle from her employer
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Henry Graham lives the life of a wealthy Manhattan playboy, indulging in expensive cars, tailored suits, and complete self-absorption without any awareness of his finances.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Henry's accountant reveals he is completely bankrupt, having spent his entire fortune. Henry must liquidate everything and faces the loss of his cherished lifestyle.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Henry makes the conscious decision to pursue and marry a wealthy woman purely for her money, with the plan to kill her after the wedding and inherit her fortune. He chooses Henrietta Lowell as his target., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Henry and Henrietta marry. False victory: Henry has achieved his goal of marrying wealth, but now must execute the murder plot. The stakes raise as he becomes her husband and begins managing her chaotic household., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, During a botanical expedition, Henry has the perfect opportunity to murder Henrietta by allowing her to fall from a cliff or letting her drown. He faces the moment of decision where he must choose between his original plan and his emerging feelings., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Henry makes the active choice to save Henrietta and protect her. He realizes he has changed and that she has given his life meaning beyond material wealth. He abandons his murder plan., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A New Leaf's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping A New Leaf against these established plot points, we can identify how Elaine May utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A New Leaf within the comedy genre.
Elaine May's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Elaine May films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. A New Leaf represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Elaine May filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Elaine May analyses, see Ishtar, The Heartbreak Kid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Henry Graham lives the life of a wealthy Manhattan playboy, indulging in expensive cars, tailored suits, and complete self-absorption without any awareness of his finances.
Theme
Henry's lawyer/accountant tells him, "You could always get a job" and discusses the possibility of change and redemption, establishing the film's theme about whether a selfish person can truly transform.
Worldbuilding
We see Henry's pampered existence, his relationship with his loyal servant Harold, and the world of privilege he inhabits. His complete incompetence at practical matters and total self-centeredness are established.
Disruption
Henry's accountant reveals he is completely bankrupt, having spent his entire fortune. Henry must liquidate everything and faces the loss of his cherished lifestyle.
Resistance
Henry debates his options, rejects the idea of working, and his uncle suggests marrying a wealthy woman. Henry borrows money and begins researching potential heiresses to marry for their money.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Henry makes the conscious decision to pursue and marry a wealthy woman purely for her money, with the plan to kill her after the wedding and inherit her fortune. He chooses Henrietta Lowell as his target.
Mirror World
Henry meets Henrietta Lowell, a clumsy, awkward, but genuinely kind botanist who represents everything Henry is not: sincere, passionate about something beyond herself, and innocent.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Henry courting the oblivious Henrietta. He tolerates her clumsiness and botanical obsessions while maneuvering toward marriage. Comic scenes of their awkward courtship and his growing frustration with her incompetence.
Midpoint
Henry and Henrietta marry. False victory: Henry has achieved his goal of marrying wealth, but now must execute the murder plot. The stakes raise as he becomes her husband and begins managing her chaotic household.
Opposition
Henry discovers Henrietta's servants are stealing from her. As he takes control of the household and accompanies Henrietta on her botanical fieldwork, he finds himself inadvertently caring about her welfare and becoming protective. His murder plans keep getting delayed.
Collapse
During a botanical expedition, Henry has the perfect opportunity to murder Henrietta by allowing her to fall from a cliff or letting her drown. He faces the moment of decision where he must choose between his original plan and his emerging feelings.
Crisis
Henry processes his internal conflict. He has developed genuine affection for Henrietta but is confronted with his own cynical, selfish nature. Can he actually change, or is he irredeemable?
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Henry makes the active choice to save Henrietta and protect her. He realizes he has changed and that she has given his life meaning beyond material wealth. He abandons his murder plan.
Synthesis
Henry fully commits to his new life with Henrietta. He continues managing her affairs, protecting her from those who would take advantage, and supports her botanical work. He has found purpose in caring for someone else.
Transformation
Final image: Henry and Henrietta together on a botanical expedition. Henry, once incapable of caring for anyone but himself, now dedicates his life to caring for Henrietta. The selfish playboy has become a devoted husband. A "new leaf" has indeed been turned.