This was the first Woody Allen film that I ever saw in the theater, at the age of 19, in early 1982, and I was surprised that at the end of the year, it was not recognized with any nominations, either at the Golden Globes or at the Oscars. I realized later on that films released early in the year unless they are universally acclaimed are forgotten within months, and as beautiful as this is to look at, it is far from a perfect film. It is about a group of acquaintances who meet at Woody Allen and Mary Steenburgen's country estate and find themselves transfixed by sexual tensions as they begin to see that they are with the wrong partners. The older intellectual Jose Ferrer arrives with young fiance Mia Farrow while Dr. Tony Roberts is with the dingy Julie Hagerty. Allen, who had a past with Farrow, is frustrated with the sexual boredom of his marriage, and for our desires intimacy with Haggerty. Steenburgen tries to become intimate with her husband but finds that her frigidity is less about her despising human passion and more about just not being aroused by Allen.
Both Roberts and Allen pursue Farrow while a jealous Ferrer goes off in a rage with a bow and arrow, injures one of the men, and finds his passion struck by another one of the women which has amusing results. These woods really are enchanted, Ferrer says in the closing scene, and certainly, they are beautiful as we get the sense of in the opening montage of the wildlife and streams which rush through the property. It certainly is a beautiful film to look at and nicely edited, but it is Ferrer, Steenburgen and Haggerty that come off the best. it should be noted that in her first film with Woody Allen, Mia Farrow voice is not as high as it would later be, and she is not as neurotic as the other characters she would later play. But Roberts and Farrow lack the passionate charms of the other three, and Woody Allen once again is just playing Woody Allen. His script and direction are fine though, and it is easy watching. but nearly 30 years later, compared to many of the other classics he has made previous and sense, it stands out just as a picture postcard with horny adults acting as if they've just discovered puberty, and the men come off as three egotistical boys who haven't aged mentally. The closing scene with Ferrer however is one of the best conclusions from any Woody Allen film and is truly touching.
Both Roberts and Allen pursue Farrow while a jealous Ferrer goes off in a rage with a bow and arrow, injures one of the men, and finds his passion struck by another one of the women which has amusing results. These woods really are enchanted, Ferrer says in the closing scene, and certainly, they are beautiful as we get the sense of in the opening montage of the wildlife and streams which rush through the property. It certainly is a beautiful film to look at and nicely edited, but it is Ferrer, Steenburgen and Haggerty that come off the best. it should be noted that in her first film with Woody Allen, Mia Farrow voice is not as high as it would later be, and she is not as neurotic as the other characters she would later play. But Roberts and Farrow lack the passionate charms of the other three, and Woody Allen once again is just playing Woody Allen. His script and direction are fine though, and it is easy watching. but nearly 30 years later, compared to many of the other classics he has made previous and sense, it stands out just as a picture postcard with horny adults acting as if they've just discovered puberty, and the men come off as three egotistical boys who haven't aged mentally. The closing scene with Ferrer however is one of the best conclusions from any Woody Allen film and is truly touching.