Last of the Red Hot Lovers

by Neil Simon

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Summary

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At its heart, Last of the Red Hot Lovers is a comedic exploration of one man's misadventures against the backdrop of the 1960s sexual revolution. Barney Cashman, a seafood restaurant owner in his late forties, is comically distressed by the thought that the era's liberated spirit is passing him by. In his quest to experience this newfound freedom, he invites three different women to his mother's Manhattan apartment, only to discover that perhaps his expectations of romance are misplaced.

Elaine Navazio: The Jaded Veteran

The first woman Barney encounters is Elaine Navazio, a savvy, quick-witted woman who embodies the era's casual approach to relationships. Elaine, in her late thirties and married, views her countless affairs as a source of personal satisfaction rather than a moral dilemma. Her demeanor is marked by irreverence, and she finds Barney's awkward attempts at meaning and connection somewhat laughable. Despite her assertion that the affair should be purely physical, she becomes comically fixated on obtaining a cigarette, a detail that underscores her blasé attitude towards the encounter. Their meeting ends in frustration and unfulfilled desires, prompting Barney to briefly reconsider his pursuit of extramarital adventures.

Bobbi Michele: The Eccentric Dreamer

Barney's resolve weakens eight months later when he meets Bobbi Michele, an ebullient and unrestrained twenty-seven-year-old. Bobbi is a whirlwind of chaotic energy, introducing Barney to marijuana and sharing outlandish tales about her aspiring career in show business, her encounters with men, and the colorful, if improbable, characters in her life, including her "lesbian Nazi vocal coach." Her frenetic chatter and carefree demeanor bewilder Barney, creating a comedic scenario where he finds himself out of his depth. The laughter continues as the absurdity of Bobbi's world makes Barney's own antics appear almost sober by comparison.

Jeanette Fisher: The Unwilling Confidant

In the final act, Barney's trysts take a more introspective turn with Jeanette Fisher, a friend’s wife in her late thirties. Unlike her predecessors, Jeanette is drawn to Barney's apartment not out of desire but due to suspicions of her husband's infidelity. Her presence brings a somber, reflective tone as she challenges Barney to demonstrate moral integrity in a world seemingly devoid of it. In this act, the comedic twist comes from the reversal of roles; Barney, now emboldened by his previous attempts, assumes a more assertive persona, while Jeanette remains cautious and skeptical. The clash between Barney's newfound confidence and Jeanette's hesitance provides a rich source of humor and ultimately leads Barney to a revelation about the true nature of satisfaction and fidelity.

Conservative Critique in a Comedic Veil

Beyond its humorous surface, Last of the Red Hot Lovers offers a critique of the 1960s permissiveness from a traditionally conservative perspective. Neil Simon subtly underscores that, despite the decade's quest for liberation, the foundational values of marriage and family remain vital. The play, though a product of its time, suggests that these enduring principles hold as much weight as ever. Ironically, this conservative stance, often dismissed as outdated, becomes a poignant commentary, particularly as societal trends leaned back towards traditionalism in the decades following. Simon’s work hints at the impending shift in cultural values, serving as both a comedic relic and a sagacious reflection on societal mores.

Critics may have debated the depth of Simon's insights, but the enduring appeal of Last of the Red Hot Lovers lies in its ability to weave humor with a subtle moral inquiry. It cleverly balances the comedic elements with an underlying seriousness, providing both laughter and food for thought. As audiences look back on Simon's work, it remains an eloquent reminder of the complexities and contradictions of human desires against a changing cultural backdrop.

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