After thinking about why this movie did not get me, I decided that although the concept and much of the dialogue was right on, the two actors lacked poignancy. The flashbacks to their young encounter were touching and vivid. But their second encounter was repartee. The two could not persuade me of any vital concern between them.
At bottom are issues between the two that promise interest. The woman has a second marriage she values, but remembers the passion of her first marriage which she would like in her life today. Unfortunately, her first husband has not achieved self understanding in the elapsed years, making their new encounter a disappointment.
On the other hand, her first husband who thought initially this second encounter would be an interesting one nighter, does come to realize that he lost something of great value when his philandering split them. He is left at the end with the quandary that while he should reform, he is very unsure that he can do it. "Being happy is so difficult" he summarizes.
It is just too bad that these two excellent actors lacked a director that could lead them to a vibrant portrayal. So the viewer is left with a sparkling analysis of a conundrum, but a disappointing portrayal.
At bottom are issues between the two that promise interest. The woman has a second marriage she values, but remembers the passion of her first marriage which she would like in her life today. Unfortunately, her first husband has not achieved self understanding in the elapsed years, making their new encounter a disappointment.
On the other hand, her first husband who thought initially this second encounter would be an interesting one nighter, does come to realize that he lost something of great value when his philandering split them. He is left at the end with the quandary that while he should reform, he is very unsure that he can do it. "Being happy is so difficult" he summarizes.
It is just too bad that these two excellent actors lacked a director that could lead them to a vibrant portrayal. So the viewer is left with a sparkling analysis of a conundrum, but a disappointing portrayal.