HUSBANDS AND WIVES RATING: 8.5 / 10 --> Excellent movie
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PLOT: Interlocking stories of two married couples as they go through some tough times during their long-term marriages. This film combines a faux-documentary to its narrative seamlessly, offering us a further glimpse into the thoughts and feelings of the parties involved.
CRITIQUE: Thinking of getting married? Think again, and watch this movie with your loved one. It's sure to get you talking for days. This film isn't only for those getting married either, the feelings, situations and conclusions brought up in this film, can be appreciated by anyone who's ever been in a relationship. They are the questions and thoughts that cross all of our minds. And despite Woody Allen's blatant cynicism towards the subject (See Little Known Facts below for all the dirty details), this film does offer many varying opinions on the subjects of love, fidelity, trust, companionship, lust, and ultimately, marriage.
The performances in this film are top-notch with Judy Davis and Sydney Pollack tearing up the screen with reality, and Woody and Mia eerily wandering through, what probably was, real conversations which they were having in their own relationship together at that time. Liam Neeson was another knockout performer, and the writing by Allen was simply inspired. I could watch this film over and over again, and always laugh or notice something new that I missed the times before. I also loved the documentary style of this movie (Some people were really annoyed by the handheld camera, but not me), but certainly could've done without Juliette Lewis' presence (Her scenes seemed to go on a little too long, if you ask me, but hey, Woody's a genius, so what the hell do I know? :)).
All in all, this film is geared towards anyone who's had a loving relationship and thought about whether or not that person is the right person with whom they would like to spend the rest of their lives. It's fun to watch, interesting to hear, and revelatory to discuss.
Little Known Facts about this film and its stars: Actress Mia Farrow and Woody Allen lived together for a lot of years, and had three children, two of whom were adopted. In 1992, Mia found nude pictures of her adopted daughter Soon-Yi, a College student at the time, in Woody's things. It was revealed later that Woody and Soon-Yi had been having an affair together. Mia broke up with the perv, and filed sexual abuse charges against him and their other kids. The charges were never proven to be true, and Woody eventually married his "stepdaughter", Soon-Yi Previn, in 1997. NOW watch the movie again, and see if you can pick out the umpteen references that you could make in regards to "art imitating life, or life imitating art". Scary, eh? Emily Lloyd was originally cast as Rain, and had actually filmed some scenes when she was replaced with Juliette Lewis. Director/writer Nora Ephron shows up as a "dinner party guest" in this film. She was also a "wedding guest" in Allen's 1989 pic, CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS. This film garnered two Oscar nominations in 1993. One for Supporting Actress, in the way of Judy Davis, and another for Best Original Screenplay presented to Woody Allen. Neither of them won. Woody Allen's full name is Allan Stewart Konigsberg. Mia Farrow's full name is Maria de Lourdes Villiers Farrow. By 1994, she had 13 children, 9 of whom were adopted. Six came from her previous marriage to Andre Previn, 3 of whom were adopted, and 3 from her time with Woody Allen, 2 of whom were adopted. She was also married to ol' blue eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, for about two years back in the late 1960's.
Review Date: September 5, 1999 Director: Woody Allen Writer: Woody Allen Producer: Robert Greenhut Actors: Judy Davis as Sally Sydney Pollack as Jack Woody Allen as Gabe Roth Mia Farrow as Judy Roth Juliette Lewis as Rain Genre: Drama Year of Release: 1992 --------------------------------------- JoBlo's Movie Emporium http://www.joblo.com --------------------------------------- (c) 1999 Berge Garabedian
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