tvmamadiva I have always wanted to see this movie but hadn't had the opportunity until now. It was well worth the wait! I absolutely loved it! Being a long time fan of both Burstyn and Alda, their performances did not disappoint. The subtle comedic jabs of Alda's guilt ridden George added strength to the already deep soul searching hearty dialogue. While Burstyn's ever evolving Doris balanced out the emotional ups and downs of their 25 plus years affair. The in-between pics of the events that shaped the times was a seamless way to move the years along. With such a sensitive subject as this movie examines; it is done in such a way that it leaves the viewer non judgmental but instead routing for their relationship to go the distance. And of course who could go wrong with a soundtrack by Johnny Mathis. SUPERB!

mark.waltz Back in the day when you could go to the movies and not have your ears blown out with over-the-top sound and special effects created by some computer (although this was just the year after "Star Wars"), movies with themes usually found today on Lifetime were theatrically released and were classy, not sappy. Broadway plays were transfered to the screen, maybe not entirely faithfully, and the results were usually above average. In the case of this hit mid 1970's two character play (which originated with Ellen Burstyn and Charles Grodin in the leading roles), Burstyn gets to repeat her role, and Alan Alda, then one of the biggest stars on TV and in an occasional movie, took over the male role. They play two married people who meet by chance on the California coast, fall into an affair which neither of them planned, and end up seeing each other once a year because they just can't live without each other, yet they can't get rid of their unseen spouses, either.The film starts in 1951 after the audience is swept away by the beautiful "The Last Time I Felt Like This", sung by Johnny Mathis and Jane Olivor. The song is heard over the film, reflecting the passages in time, the political and social ramifications often taking over the character's lives when they meet up without even having spoken to each other since the last time they bid adieu. At first, Burstyn is a rather insecure young married woman, admittedly a high school dropout and with no more ambitions than continuing to be a housewife and mother. Alda is an accountant, and both are fairly young and innocent as they deal totally differently with the guilt they face of cheating on their partners. But as they think they'll never see each other again, they totally let go of their inner insecurities, and before parting, it is obvious that this will be a regular anniversary get-together for them.Five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty-one years, and finally twenty seven years pass by, and we see not only the passage of time but how each of their lives have changed. The two get to know each other's spouses and children without ever even meeting them, and as the world changes, you begin to see deep changes within them. At one point, Burstyn is a Berkeley hippie (abliet the oldest one on campus) and Alda is a stuffy accountant seemingly embarrassed by her wardrobe and actions. But there's always more to these characters than what they perceive themselves to be on the surface, and like each visit before (including one where Alda helps a very pregnant Burstyn have her baby!), they find their way back to each other.There are moments of heartbreak and many humorous incidents. Both actors play extremely well off each other, and you can't judge them for their infidelities. In fact, the more you listen to their reasoning, the more you understand that it is their love for each other which has actually been responsible for saving their perspective marriages. There are moments where you will find yourself reaching for a handkerchief and laughing at the same time, and the ending, while potentially bittersweet, is downright hysterical if predictable. But that's O.K. By the time the story is done, you'll feel that you've known these characters for 27 years as well (even if your only 25!) just like each of them felt they knew the others spouse.

Bob Pr. (The movie is based on the successful eponymous Broadway play (1400+ performances, 1975-78) by Bernard Slade who also wrote the screen play.) In 1951, Doris (Ellen Burstyn), a housewife about to go to a religious retreat the next day, and George (Alan Alda), a married CPA doing a client's taxes, happen to meet one evening at dinner while lodging in the same California seaside motel that's near both their venues.They have instant rapport and both are surprised when they wake up in bed with each other the next morning. Each is happily married with children and neither has a desire to change that. But they're both so gratified by their harmonious, empathic relationship (and physical activity) that they decide to meet again at the same time, same place, next year.Almost all the action takes place in the same motel suite (easily visualized as being the set transferred from the stage play). We look in on their meetings every 5-6 years and their transformations over time: (George's increased wealth, his switch from being a liberal Democrat to conservative Republican, loss of a son, going into psychoanalysis, abandoning his quest for more money and property || Doris completing her HS and eventually graduating from college, a stint as a hippie, becoming a successful, financially secure businesswoman, etc.). Each serves as marriage counselor to the other at various points in their relationship. Each transformation by one person requires adjustments in their relation. Their relationship has some bumps (e.g., impotence/ED, pregnancy) to be conquered and amusing dialog. The ending didn't surprise my companion as much as it did me.IMO, this is a fairy tale that's probably served as a wishful fantasy to some travelers making out of town, overnight business trips as well as recurring nightmares to some partners left behind. But IMO the realities of actual relationships are that very, VERY few of any such extra-curricular relationships that are started would ever go so smoothly.The make-up artists did great jobs in varying the age appearances of Alda and Burstyn at the time this movie was made (he 42, she 46). The narrative calls for them to be near their early 30s at the time we first meet them, then following them as they age over the next almost 30 years.

x xx this movie could not have been any better. not a big Ellyn Burstyn fan, but hey, she rocked this movie. Alan Alda is so perfect in his role. Ellen too. The changes they go through and the depth of the characters is surely one of the most interesting of all movies. My hubby always hated this movie because it's about cheating spouses, but that does happen in real life, so i couldn't really discount it because of that.anyway, go see it, rent it, whatever. it's extremely witty and clever. will have you crying a bit at the end.just the montage scenes from the 60s-70s and the gorgeous theme song are worth watching the movie over and over. but in addition, you get the superb style and acting that are this movie.