What’s New Pussycat?

What’s New Pussycat?

Year: 1965

Runtime: 108 mins

Language: English

Director: Clive Donner

ComedyRomance

A carefree playboy, unwilling to abandon his hedonistic ways and commit to the woman he truly loves, turns to a wildly eccentric psychoanalyst for counseling. The therapist, entangled in his own messy romance, complicates matters, sparking a cascade of humorous misunderstandings and chaotic attempts at love.

What’s New Pussycat? (1965) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the glitter‑laden world of post‑war Paris, a charismatic playboy named Michael James finds himself at a crossroads. Known for his effortless charm and endless string of admirers, he suddenly feels a tug toward permanence when his long‑time fiancée, Carole Werner, asks him to put his wandering ways behind him. Their relationship teeters between genuine affection and the ever‑present temptation of the countless women who seem magnetically drawn to Michael’s carefree swagger.

Enter the eccentric Dr. Fritz Fassbender, a self‑styled psychoanalyst whose own love life is as chaotic as his patients’. Fassbender runs a group‑therapy circle populated by neurotic performers, obsessives, and other colorful personalities, turning what should be a quiet office into a stage for wildly unorthodox sessions—think indoor games and bizarre confessions that blur the line between therapy and farce. His attempts to guide Michael are constantly sidetracked by his own pursuit of a patient who, in turn, harbors secret feelings for the playboy.

Around them swirl a cast of unforgettable figures: Liz Bien, a nervous exotic dancer whose neuroses clash with Michael’s flirtations; Rita, a daring parachutist who lands in his life quite literally; and Victor Shakapopulis, an awkward friend whose own attempts at jealousy add another layer of comic misunderstanding. Even Anna—the doctor’s formidable wife—lurks in the periphery, hinting at deeper entanglements that threaten to upend everyone’s carefully maintained facades.

The film revels in a tone that mixes breezy romantic comedy with slapstick absurdity, letting each character’s quirks amplify the chaos of love in a city where every encounter feels like a scene from a grand, improvised play. As relationships tangle and egos clash, the audience is invited to wonder whether any of the characters can truly escape the cycle of desire and commitment that defines their world.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:41

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Zany Romantic Farces like What’s New Pussycat?

Stories where eccentric characters collide in a whirlwind of romantic misunderstandings.If you enjoyed the chaotic romantic misunderstandings of What’s New Pussycat?, you'll love these movies. This section groups similar comedies featuring eccentric characters, fast-paced farcical plots, and a lighthearted, playful tone where love leads to delightful chaos.

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Narratives in this thread typically revolve around a central character, often commitment-phobic or entangled in multiple relationships, whose lies or deceptions spiral out of control. This sparks a chain reaction of comedic events, involving a colorful supporting cast, leading to a climactic, chaotic convergence (like a party or chase) before a happy resolution.

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The narrative journey here is less about profound character growth and more about the comic adventures of a charismatic, if flawed, protagonist navigating the consequences of their pleasure-seeking actions. The conflict arises from the clash between their freewheeling lifestyle and the expectations of society or partners, resolved in a way that often validates their fun-loving spirit.

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These movies are united by a shared vibe of lighthearted hedonism. They possess a specific mood mix: playful, chaotic, romantic, and neurotic, all filtered through a lens that is more celebratory than critical. The pacing is fast and the emotional weight is intentionally kept light to maintain the fun, romping feel.

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