****Possible Spoilers****This is one of my all time favorite romantic comedies. The story of two married people who meet at a seaside hotel and begin an affair in which they meet back at the same place for one weekend a year for 20+ years.
Though the subject matter of adultery might put some people off, Alan Alda with his deft comedic skills brings a hilarious perspective to the situation that leaves viewers feeling that these are just two basically decent people who would never stray from their significant others if it weren't for this very unique situation of having found their soulmates a little too late. In fact, lesser people would have probably divorced their spouses for a love so great. The premise is made even more unique by the way we see only the two of them interact at the seaside cottage for that one weekend every five years. I was glad to see that other reviewers were as taken with the song, "It all started with hello", that was played as events are shown that occurred during the five year increments between scenes.
The dialogue between Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn are so perfect together, there isn't a need for any other characters to make it interesting. Practically impossible to cut up in any way. Except for maybe one: I'd have preferred to have seen them end up together in the end.
Though the subject matter of adultery might put some people off, Alan Alda with his deft comedic skills brings a hilarious perspective to the situation that leaves viewers feeling that these are just two basically decent people who would never stray from their significant others if it weren't for this very unique situation of having found their soulmates a little too late. In fact, lesser people would have probably divorced their spouses for a love so great. The premise is made even more unique by the way we see only the two of them interact at the seaside cottage for that one weekend every five years. I was glad to see that other reviewers were as taken with the song, "It all started with hello", that was played as events are shown that occurred during the five year increments between scenes.
The dialogue between Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn are so perfect together, there isn't a need for any other characters to make it interesting. Practically impossible to cut up in any way. Except for maybe one: I'd have preferred to have seen them end up together in the end.