The writing was amazing, but the premise was disturbing in the least. Just once in a movie like this, I'd love to see a thread of reality come into play. An example would be when Alan Alda's character reveals that his betrayed wife, Helen, found out about his adultery years earlier. To simply dismiss this monumental occurrence by simplistically explaining that she never mentioned, nor confronted him about it, was a little too convenient. This is the standard H'Wood formula. Heartbreaking details like betrayal, confrontation, guilt, remorse, character, etc. are NEVER addressed, since they might intrude with the story. When Helen Burynstien's (sp) character talks about the loyalty, and respect that she felt for her husband, I was moved to ask, how does having an affair for 20+ years behind your husband's back, signal respect? What a hypocrite! Better yet, no signal or acknowledgment, that what she and Alda's character are doing is WRONG. This storyline might have added to the tension, and realism of this movie. Typically, the characters are presented to be sympathetic, and we as the audience, are left to cheer for people & values that are detestable. Just once I would love to see a movie that addresses consequences, and doesn't look to glorify this kind of behavior. Unfortunately, since neither the characters, nor the story ever deals with the obvious "elephant in the room", this movie left me feeling empty!
Review of Same Time, Next Year
