"Barefoot in the Park Robert Redford's breakthrough movie role was one he knew well. He had starred in Neil Simon's hit romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park on Broadway, appearing as newlywed lawyer Paul Bratter for a year. The play was a love letter to Simon's first wife, Joan, and Jane Fonda played the ebullient, free-spirited Corie, the far showier role."
"Admittedly, it helped that he had movie star looks and charisma, but what made it work was the way he delivered Paul's understated dialogue with brilliant comic timing. Even when Corie told Paul he was unreachably stuffy and Paul was frustrated with Corie's impulsivity, we could see the way they balanced each other. Plus, he got to do a drunk scene! It was fun to see the proper lawyer tipsy and give Corie a chance to be the responsible one."
Robert Redford died this week. He was an actor, director, activist, and mentor who held major influence in Hollywood and beyond. He directed acclaimed films including Ordinary People and Quiz Show. His on-screen presence remained magnetic across a wide, often underrated range. Eleven standout performances exemplify that range. In Barefoot in the Park Redford reprised his Broadway role as newlywed lawyer Paul Bratter opposite Jane Fonda's ebullient Corie. He balanced understated, sardonic seriousness with comic timing to make Paul both believable and lovable. He navigated scenes of frustration and intimacy and executed physical comedic moments convincingly.
Read at Roger Ebert
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