In documentary-style, Allen shows us what most middle aged couples fear to face: the dissolution of their marriages, due to habit, boredom and frustration, that kind of situation that arises simply by living with someone for many years, without any major dramatic event triggering a divorce.
Allen and Farrow plays Gabe and Judy. Since the movie was the last before their acrimonious split, most of their dialogue sounds uncomfortably realistic. Pollack and Davis are their friends Jack and Sally, who set the story in motion with their "trial" separation.
Soon all four friends are entangled in new relationships or fantasise about one. Sally and then Judy are attracted to romantic Michael (Neeson), while Gabe is infatuated with Rain (Juliette Lewis) a student, who reciprocates.
However, Rain is "just" a groupie for older-men with a most annoying nasal voice and this indiscretion ends nowhere. On a side note, I never liked Lewis, who once again plays a feeble, coquettish nymphet.
I am not a big fan of Farrow, either and with her oversize sweaters, long skirts and short hair she is here at her most unattractive. Her character is whiny and pushy, making her my least favorite of the quartet.
Sally is also an annoying character, so neurotic as to make you wonder why Jack would consider going back to her, while Jack is the usual middle-aged man lured into a relationship by sex with a younger model.
The movie ends with a twist that I found hard to believe, and a lot of ambiguity about the future of the characters that I found a lot more believable. Not for the romantics, but definitely worthy.
Allen and Farrow plays Gabe and Judy. Since the movie was the last before their acrimonious split, most of their dialogue sounds uncomfortably realistic. Pollack and Davis are their friends Jack and Sally, who set the story in motion with their "trial" separation.
Soon all four friends are entangled in new relationships or fantasise about one. Sally and then Judy are attracted to romantic Michael (Neeson), while Gabe is infatuated with Rain (Juliette Lewis) a student, who reciprocates.
However, Rain is "just" a groupie for older-men with a most annoying nasal voice and this indiscretion ends nowhere. On a side note, I never liked Lewis, who once again plays a feeble, coquettish nymphet.
I am not a big fan of Farrow, either and with her oversize sweaters, long skirts and short hair she is here at her most unattractive. Her character is whiny and pushy, making her my least favorite of the quartet.
Sally is also an annoying character, so neurotic as to make you wonder why Jack would consider going back to her, while Jack is the usual middle-aged man lured into a relationship by sex with a younger model.
The movie ends with a twist that I found hard to believe, and a lot of ambiguity about the future of the characters that I found a lot more believable. Not for the romantics, but definitely worthy.