SUNDAY IN NEW YORK
(not rated)
MOVIE: **** (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Although it doesn’t star Rock Hudson or Doris Day, “Sunday in New York” is a perfect example of the early 60s sex comedies (in which “sex” is often tip-toed around in typical pre-revolution style). Jane Fonda stars in one of her earliest roles as a twentysomething virgin who runs away from her would-be fiancé to stay with her womanizing brother in New York. While in the city, she runs into a dashing writer and falls in love, but is still struggling with the question of whether to put sex before marriage.
WHAT I LIKED
While the movies of the 1960s are far from my favorite era in American cinema, the decade managed to produce some of the best quirky romantic comedies. We don’t see these any more, as they have been replaced with either wannabe raunchy rom coms (like “No Strings Attached” and “The Ugly Truth”) or the generic modern rom com (like… well, almost anything with Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock or Reese Witherspoon in it).
There’s a bubbly punch to films like “Sunday in New York.” They don’t take themselves too seriously, and this makes them more digestible. Who are we to question the quintessential cute-meet of Jane Fonda and Rod Taylor when her brooch accidentally pins her to his lapel? These sort of things happened all the time in the fluffy past.
Unlike the bigger classics of the era (like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”), this doesn’t set out to change the world. It’s a cute little story of mistaken identity, budding relationships and potential sexual awakening. It’s cute, and it’s not meant to be anything more.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Looking at a movie like “Sunday in New York” from almost 40 years in the future, it’s almost confusing at times to work through the double-speak of sex talk. While this was a necessary evil of the time, it does add a certain amount of charm to it. But if you’re at all bothered by pre-sexual revolution stereotypes and double-standards, this movie will definitely get under your skin.
DVD FEATURES
Like the majority of films in the Warner Archives library, this disc only has the film and the original theatrical trailer.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Fans of the early 60s sex comedy romps.