I really like a lot about this movie, mainly Burt Reynolds playing against type. Instead of his Alpha male ladies man, we get a lonely, hurt, confused writer/teacher who's just been dumped by his wife Jessica (Candace Bergen). Escaping from New York City glitter, Peter (Burt) moves to Boston and after a failed attempt to enter the dating cycle again, connects with Marilyn (Jill Clayburgh) a neurotic preschool teacher.
***SPOILER ALERT****
The relationship is rushed and on shaky ground from the onset and we wonder how these two can overcome their own set of insecurities and become a couple. Phil's main roadblock to opening up to Marilyn is that he still loves his ex wife.
Candace (Jessica) causes several rifts between Phil and Marilyn. The first being an out of the blue Thanksgiving phone call, the second by showing up on the day Marilyn is moving in with Phil.
What follows in short order is a breakup...a failed make up of Phil and Jessica...then a reconciliation with Marilyn.
And that's my first of a few issues with the film. Rom Coms seem to suspend belief. Marilyn tells Peter she doesn't want to hear from him again (because she doesn't want to be the Rebound Lady). Phil breaks the rule...and she relents.
More importantly...cinematographer Sven Nykvist did a horrible job, this is where the murky comes in. We know it's Winter in the Northeast but all of the interiors are dark...even the bedroom display at Bloomingdales is dark. Hard to get involved in characters who we can't see. It's supposed to be a comedy, so lighten up; literally. As a result, the whole film takes on a more serious tone.
Plus, at times screenwriter James L. Brooks seems to tease us with a few quirky moments..like Marilyn's involvement with basketball player John (Sturgis Warner) because he's 'big'.
Also...continuity is an issue. I wasn't sure if this took place over one winter or two. Plus, last time I checked...there isn't six weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
One highlight...the divorced men's encounter group meetings. They precede the women's group and we get to peek in on a bunch of lonely, displaced males. The staircase scene as the aggressive women march down the basement steps to start their meeting and the departing males plaster themselves to the staircase walls are great moments.
On the whole, there are fun moments and nice ones too. Not meant to be a laugh riot, just a commentary on two people with 'issues'...trying to move on and cope.
***SPOILER ALERT****
The relationship is rushed and on shaky ground from the onset and we wonder how these two can overcome their own set of insecurities and become a couple. Phil's main roadblock to opening up to Marilyn is that he still loves his ex wife.
Candace (Jessica) causes several rifts between Phil and Marilyn. The first being an out of the blue Thanksgiving phone call, the second by showing up on the day Marilyn is moving in with Phil.
What follows in short order is a breakup...a failed make up of Phil and Jessica...then a reconciliation with Marilyn.
And that's my first of a few issues with the film. Rom Coms seem to suspend belief. Marilyn tells Peter she doesn't want to hear from him again (because she doesn't want to be the Rebound Lady). Phil breaks the rule...and she relents.
More importantly...cinematographer Sven Nykvist did a horrible job, this is where the murky comes in. We know it's Winter in the Northeast but all of the interiors are dark...even the bedroom display at Bloomingdales is dark. Hard to get involved in characters who we can't see. It's supposed to be a comedy, so lighten up; literally. As a result, the whole film takes on a more serious tone.
Plus, at times screenwriter James L. Brooks seems to tease us with a few quirky moments..like Marilyn's involvement with basketball player John (Sturgis Warner) because he's 'big'.
Also...continuity is an issue. I wasn't sure if this took place over one winter or two. Plus, last time I checked...there isn't six weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
One highlight...the divorced men's encounter group meetings. They precede the women's group and we get to peek in on a bunch of lonely, displaced males. The staircase scene as the aggressive women march down the basement steps to start their meeting and the departing males plaster themselves to the staircase walls are great moments.
On the whole, there are fun moments and nice ones too. Not meant to be a laugh riot, just a commentary on two people with 'issues'...trying to move on and cope.