Today’s quick review: Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Barney Cashman (Alan Arkin) is staring down middle age. Despite having a loving wife and a successful business, his fears about growing older are getting the better of him. Not wanting to let life pass him by, Barney invites Elaine (Sally Kellerman), a married woman with a cold attitude, up to his mother’s apartment for a fling, only to find that the experience is very different than he expected.
Last of the Red Hot Lovers is a dramatic comedy based on the play by Neil Simon. The movie steps into the shoes of Barney Cashman, a middle-aged man riddled with anxiety, as he desperately tries to cheat on his wife. Last of the Red Hot Lovers is a biting look at love, insecurity, and the nature of marriage. Honest, witty dialogue and the talents of Alan Arkin are enough to carry the movie, but its highly introspective style won’t be for everyone.
Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ roots as a stage play show clearly. The film only makes use of a handful of sets, the story has three distinct sections, and each of the major scenes consists of a single, lengthy conversation between Barney and his intended conquest. To its credit, Last of the Red Hot Lovers accomplishes a lot within this framework. The dialogue is sharp, and the film employs a wide emotional spectrum as Barney wrestles with his love life.
One of the movie’s distinctive features is Barney’s internal monologue, a frank and believable record of all the thoughts that pass through his head. Between his anxious inner thoughts and the peculiar social situations he finds himself in, the movie paints a comprehensive picture of an understandably desperate man. Seeing the world through Barney’s eyes isn’t always pleasant, though, and it leads the movie to be very introspective and self-critical.
As such, Last of the Red Hot Lovers caters to a very specific set of tastes. Those who are interested in dialogue-heavy comedy and cutting observations about real life will get the most out of the movie. Those who prefer more raucous humor, a less anxious tone, or a more expansive story will find that Last of the Red Hot Lovers doesn’t have much to offer. Viewers in the right niche should give it a shot; others may want to steer clear.
For a more upbeat take on a similar premise, try A Guide for the Married Man. For a sillier comedy by the same writer, try Murder by Death or The Cheap Detective. For a darker comedy about a man with similar anxieties, try A Serious Man.
5.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for well-written dialogue and a strong lead performance held back by an anxious tone and a limited plot.