Another Woman
Dogbert
I thought the movie was pretty good...but ol' Woody should stay away from
being a philosopher and a pontificater (so what, I made a verb!?) on
relationships since he's had his share of bad experiences with women
(that's putting it very lightly).
At the beginning of the film, is that patient in the next room talking
about how he had an affair with another married man?
--
-Dogbert (not the real one)
"Two wrongs don't make a right, but a lawsuit probably does."
Marianne Wallace
>At the beginning of the film, is that patient in the next room talking
>about how he had an affair with another married man?
No, he's talking about having sex with a man. Not a married man. He's
discussing that he fantasizes about a specific man sometimes when he
masturbates. I would have to watch again to see if it was something he
has already done or if it's just fantasy.
Marianne
Joe Todaro
Another Woman has grown on me over the years; now I think it's probably the
best among Woody's three completely dramatic films. When I first saw Another
Woman in the theater, I thought it was WAY over the edge, but now I can more
easily appreciate its good qualities. I think the weakest parts are the
overly-dramatic bits, like Sandy Dennis's overwraught reaction in the
restaurant or the ex-wife's return during the birthday party. Those scenes
stretched reality a bit too far, I think. But there are some really lovely
scenes with Gena Rowlands. And "I accept your condemnation" makes a good
catch phrase among those in the know.
--Joe
>I thought the movie was pretty good...but ol' Woody should stay away from
>being a philosopher and a pontificater (so what, I made a verb!?) on
>relationships since he's had his share of bad experiences with women
>(that's putting it very lightly).
>
>At the beginning of the film, is that patient in the next room talking
>about how he had an affair with another married man?
>
Dogbert
"I think the weakest parts are the overly-dramatic bits, like Sandy
Dennis's overwraught reaction in the restaurant or the ex-wife's return
during the birthday party. Those scenes stretched reality a bit too far, I
think. But there are some really lovely scenes with Gena Rowlands. And 'I
accept your condemnation' makes a good catch phrase among those in the
know."
You're right, Sandy Dennis's reaction in the restraunt (we're all talking
about the character Claire, right?) was way over the edge, so to speak.
That's one thing about Allen's movies I've never been able to fully accept;
do people really talk about affairs and sex openly in restraunts? I mean,
normal people? No. Do adults always express their opinions with
philosophical metaphors and exact articulations? No. Does everybody always
re-examine their lives, at every moment? Well--that's a grey area. Alone in
a hotel room, depressed...okay I'm getting off the subject. I do believe
that, although the scene where Ken's ex-wife returns "artifacts from their
more civilized days" (see, nobody talks like that) may have been a bit
unrealistic, it was neccessary to show how much Larry (Hackman) cared for
Marion, and how cold Ken could be. But just because something's in terrible
taste, does it mean it's unrealistic?
But I did like the movie a lot. Allen's philosophical views are best
expressed when he says them in the movie, not other characters.
-Dogbert (not the real one)
"My brother beat me. My sister beat my brother. My father beat my sister,
my brother and me. My mother beat my father, my sister, my brother and me.
The neighbors beat our family..."
Brian Varney
I'm kind of curious about your use of the word "normal"--are the characters in
allen's films "normal"? is he trying to create normal characters. i
think not. he tends to concentrate on people who are both very
neurotic and very intellectual. so there's that in his favor.
also, i don't really think woody is trying for "realism" in his films. if
you've ever read any interviews with him, chances are his struggle with
reality vs. fantasy came up. it's a constant theme in his movies--take, for
instance, the play scene at the end of 'annie hall' where he talks about the
difference between life and art. that's the essential divide in his work.
in my opinion, he's not trying for realism--his films are not fantasy, but
there's a definite element of fabrication, especially in the dialogue. think
about a lot of the movies he watched when growing up--does anyone really talk
like humphrey bogart did in 'the big sleep', or like edward g. robinson did in
'double indemnity'? of course not--it's the movies, it's not real life.
Brian
Dogbert
There's realism--and then there is the way real people talk...so, now
you've confused me.
-Dogbert (not the real one)
"Here's a toast. To good health, happiness, and the hope that our new home
does not spontaneously combust."
Brian Varney
it's always been my understanding that realism is an artist attempted to
capture reality, that is to write the way people really talk. maybe
i'm wrong.
b.
mig...@summitschool.com
This has had such great discussion. I'm only sorry that I haven't had
time to read the ng until now.
I have to say it. Another Woman is by far the one film (of all films)
that I have come back to more often and with greater interest. I have
never seen AW without being so engrossed, so delighted to be a part of
her life - even if she is so cold. and that's why the ex wife would say
"objects from a more civilized time" just because she is also so cold.
every one but the guy (forgot his name) who tries to suduce gina r.
throughout the film, and the guy who married gina's old friend, and
maybe the daughter of gina's husband - they're all cold and lifeless..
i really can't talk about this film, because i'm living it every day.
I personally always loved woody because he did take time to film moments
of deep pshchological adn emotional soul searching. usually that stuff
just goes through everyone's head, but doesn't dare to come out. when
my family gets together we never talk like that, but sometime I wish we
could. maybe that would help a bit, i don't know, but maybe.
anyway, next to Another woman, I'd have to say La Dolce Vita might be
the other film that has had as much impact on my life. i love woody,
but he never did it like he did with another woman. in fact, i think
all three dramas are sublime. i guess i just know so many people who
are like those people - even if they never do communicate their thoughts
outwardly.
it's good to be back. miguel
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Marianne Wallace
>Does everybody always
>re-examine their lives, at every moment? Well--that's a grey area. Alone
in
>a hotel room, depressed...okay I'm getting off the subject.
No, that is exactly the subject. If this were a novel, not a movie,
we could get inside the characters heads. You can hear them think. For a
movie (or play) dialog is the best way to get to the point, to get the
story out. ----
Although this very same movie handles Marions thoughts beautifully.
So often audible thoughts are so melodramatic, or uninteresting in movies.
She captivates me totally.
And, no, Woody doesn't go for strict realism. Sandy Dennis's (?)
characters reaction doesn't stand out in that movie as being too strong.
She's drunk and held this psychological trauma in her mind for years.
Then she has to watch Marion and her husband ignore her for an hour.
She's had it. Out it comes.
Marianne