MovieChat Forums > Husbands and Wives (1992) Discussion > Woodies best movie.. or up thier at leas...

Woodies best movie.. or up thier at least

posted 20 years ago by thefinger_28
8 replies | jump to latest

I'm just writing to say that i thought this movie was one of the best films i've seen, and definantly one of woodies best. the way he gets into ther phsykie of his charachters and developes them so well is outstanding. This film proved him to not only have the ability to laugh but also to care for the carachter. the editing of this film also makes this film look as though your looking into peoples live, u take the role of a voyer throughout. As well as this the acting is incredible, they all were superb but i thought young Julliette Lewis was a speacial highlight

A marvelouse achievment.

[–] itsnotginger 20 years ago

I think he achieved the same intensity of character in Another Woman some four years earlier. This film is more from the voyeur's point of view though and also more overtly analytical. The set up is hardly atypical for Woody film though, re Hannah, Play it Again Sam amongst others.

What this film can claim is that of all the infidelity based plots Woody did, more than the others, it gets into ALL the characters and goes quite deep in a way that is not done so well in the others. I agree, it is one of Woody's top dramas.

Also, the editing style was also done in Deconstructing Harry, though not as well I dont think.

[–] sonopolly 19 years ago

I agree though I haven't seen every Woody Allen film so I can't say for sure -- it's hard to believe this can be topped for this style anyway. I like it much better than Hannah and her Sister (tho I love that) and Annie Hall (also loved). H&W was so rich and deep and intense and then funny on top of it. The characters and the story were extremely well-developed. There is not a dull moment yet of course no real action.

[–] rosenburger 19 years ago

This was a great film. Everytime I watch one of his movies I always think "this one is the best" I thought it about Manhattan, Hannah and her Sisters, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Zelig and now this. It may not be as good when I watch it again, but I thought it was a seriously great film. The camera work was crazy, it was a little distracting at times, same with all the jump cuts. And what were the interviews about? Was it supposed to be a documentary? Were they re-enacting their lives, were they being spyed on? That aspect of the film didn't seem to make any sense, and it was never explained. Same with the narration, who is it? Why are they doing this?

[–] gazlad1999 19 years ago

The documentary in the movie is meaningless and incredibly crucial simultaneously. the meaning behind the movie within the movie is pointless. We never know what it is, why it is or who is behind it because it doesn't matter. Perhaps it a friend who knew all four of them and found there story intriguing and decided to create a movie about it.... perhaps it is for TV or a student filming a thesis. Who knows? The point is, it is pointless. However, what it DOES do is allow us to get intimate with the characters in a way no other style would have permitted. We see the characters talking to US, directly to US about things they are experiencing and their reactions to things we just watched them do. Hope that helps!

[–] 1011 19 years ago

It's definitely up there.

I loved this film, I thought it was really sweet but at the same time sad. I thought it interesting that Gabe was the only one who didn't really put up a fight for what he wanted, he never went after Judy though he still loved her. Yes, a beautiful young smart girl was after him, which at face value seems like a good thing for a guy whos getting on a bit, but ultimately she would've become bored of him just like all the others.
Gabe claimed he always went after, 'Kamikaze' women, but I think he was decieving himself and what he really wanted was security and companionship, just like everybody else.

A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste

[–] TheRetroCritic 19 years ago

I saw Husbands and Wives for the first time like half an hour ago, I found it very real, very emotional and touching.
The performances were so good the film seemed completely real and convincing. Especially with Allen's brilliant idea of shooting most of the whole thing with a hand held camera. Consequently, we feel close to the characters, we feel like we know them and you can't help but feel a little uncomfortable during the scenes where there are arguments. Uncomfortable in a good way. hehe
Mia Farrow's character really annoyed me, I was so glad when Allen's character broke up with her, it's the best thing that could have happened to him.
Overall, it's not my personnal favourite Woody film but it's probably his most mature achievement to date, with Hannah and her Sisters in close second.

Film and Jim Carrey fansite with forum:

http://cablogula.tripod.com

[–] thatsweetbird 18 years ago

Tour de force, masterpiece. Shakespearean development of character. How could an artist like this happily release "Hollywood Ending" and other recent disasters?

"Secondary" characters Michael, Rain and Sam are so much more vividly realized then "main" characters in most movies.

Use of dialogue(second to none in believability), camera work, situations, and editing to draw character is indeed hypnotic, endlessly rewatchable.

[–] 18 years ago

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