Why I think this is an important Allen-film...

Woodys films are usually held together by the actors, their characters and their dialogue. His scenes are then filmed in a "panorama" where you can see all the characters at once and the whole thing reminds you very much of a stage-play rather than a film - only it uses a few pros of the media (like music and others).

But with Husbands and Wives he finally uses the camera more controlled. Even though it's an almost random set of angles, it is a more controlled way of filming - forcing you where to look.

Also he re-uses the narrator/interviewer from earlier films (Take the Money and Run and Zelig) in a more mature, abstract and unnatural way. It is no longer just an analyst to whom the characters make their confessions, they are rather pieces in a documentary.

So with Husbands and Wives Woody both fights some of his limitations (like close-ups) and make references some notable references to his earlier films. But how influential has this film been on his later works?


--- Kasper, www.deeFilmRoll.com/ ---