Barefoot in the Park 1967

In this charming tale of opposites attracting, Corie (Fonda) - a free-spirited whirlwind with an insatiable zest for life - and Paul Bratter (Redford) - a by-the-book, fastidious gent with a penchant for order - are newlyweds navigating the ups and downs of marriage. They settle into their cozy fifth-floor apartment in Greenwich Village, where every step counts - literally, as they lug themselves up five flights of stairs to reach their humble abode. Corie sets out to transform the modest space into a warm and inviting haven, much to Paul’s chagrin.

Their eclectic neighborhood is filled with characters, including the eccentric Victor Velasco (Boyer), who resides in the building’s attic and becomes fast friends with Corie. His unconventional approach to life rubs off on her, and together they tackle the apartment’s various quirks, from leaky faucets to temperamental heating systems. As their bond grows, Victor begins to flirt with Corie, much to Paul’s discomfort.

In an effort to play matchmaker and bring some joy into her mother Ethel Banks’ (Natwick) life, Corie orchestrates a dinner date for the three of them, along with Victor. The group heads to a quaint Albanian restaurant on Staten Island, where they indulge in good food, lively music, and even a spirited dance routine with a belly dancer. As the night wears on, Corie and Victor’s playful dynamic leaves Paul and Ethel looking on in amusement and bewilderment.

As the evening draws to a close, Victor escorts Ethel home, while Corie and Paul return to their apartment, their differences in personality and approach to life becoming increasingly apparent. The couple’s banter reveals deeper tensions, as Corie longs for adventure and spontaneity, while Paul prioritizes stability and security. As the snow falls gently outside on that snowy February night, they retreat to their respective corners of the small bedroom and living room - Corie in the tiny bedroom, Paul sprawled out on the couch under a hole in the skylight, his cautionary instincts still firmly in place.

As the day wears on, Paul’s health takes a turn for the worse, leaving him wracked with fever. Despite his weakened state, Corie remains resolute in her desire to end their marriage, insisting that she wants a divorce. The tension between them is palpable as they awkwardly coexist in their apartment, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Eventually, Corie’s frustration boils over and she asks Paul to leave, sending him packing.

Meanwhile, a sense of unease settles over Corie when her aunt calls to inform her that Ethel never made it home the previous night. Panic sets in as Corie learns that her mother was at Victor’s apartment, where she had spent the night after taking a tumble on icy stairs. The strange twist is that Ethel was clad only in her undergarments and Victor’s Japanese kimono, having misplaced her dress during the dry-cleaning process.

As Paul struggles to come to terms with his wife’s decision, he finds solace in a drink or two, leading him to abandon his duties and seek refuge in Washington Square Park. Corie, determined to get through to her husband, sets out to find him, eventually tracking him down to the park where she finds him in a state of inebriated abandon.

With her mother’s words still echoing in her mind, Corie takes it upon herself to guide Paul back to reality, chasing after him as he careens around the park. The once cautious and practical Paul has given way to a newfound sense of fun-loving recklessness, much to Corie’s concern. Eventually, Paul declares that this is his territory and makes his way back to their apartment.

As they arrive at the apartment, Paul’s inebriation reaches new heights, prompting him to climb onto the rooftop as if seeking to escape the turmoil below. Corie, fearing for her husband’s safety, begs him to come down, her words echoing through the skylight as he perches precariously on the edge of the building.

Paul’s demands that she admit his drunkenness are met with resistance from Corie, who had previously scolded him for being overly cautious while under the influence. As the standoff continues, Paul becomes increasingly agitated, his fear of falling sending him scrambling to find a way back down.

In a desperate bid to calm her husband’s nerves, Corie implores him to sing an Albanian folk song they had previously heard at Victor’s restaurant, hoping to soothe his frayed emotions. As Paul’s voice rises and falls in song, Corie seizes the opportunity to climb up to the rooftop, determined to bring her husband back down to solid ground.

As she reaches out to him, a crowd begins to gather below, drawn by the spectacle of the couple on the roof. Ethel and Victor, oblivious to the drama unfolding above them, join the throng, their presence adding an air of surrealism to the proceedings.

In the end, Corie’s determination and Paul’s desperation converge as they share a kiss, then make their way back down to the relative safety of the ground below, where the gathered onlookers cheer their reunion.