Here is the story of two seemingly happily married people who share intimate and extremely emotional times together over the course of twenty-five years. Through their budding and developing relationship through the years, we see how the world changes from 1951 to 1978 (through still images and music between the years). I found myself completely involved in these characters even though they are doing an awful thing--cheating on their respective spouses for such a long period of time. I have to credit this to the character development and to the actors. This is Alan Alda's finest acting hour. He has always been able to balance comedy and serious drama, going back to M*A*S*H on TV. However, occasionally his dramatic acting style is a little self-important. In this movie, he finds the right note, and there is a scene where he breaks down that is the best acting he's ever done. Ellen Burstyn can deliver a wonderful performance in any movie--whether it's drama, comedy, or horror. The changes their characters go through in the course of two hours seem a bit extreme (she goes from flower child to tough-as-nails business woman, for example), but the changes are meant to symbolize the way the world is changing. A little trite, and not that groundbreaking, but I found this film moving all the same. And that silly song heard throughout has stayed with me.
Review of Same Time, Next Year
