The Four Seasons
by Alan Alda
List Price:
Our Price: $6.69
You Save: $6.29 (48%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.91 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Alan Alda, Carol Burnett, Len Cariou, Rita Moreno, Sandy DennisDirector: Alan Alda
Brand: Universal Studios
Writer: Alan Alda
Cinematographer: Victor J. Kemper
Editor: Michael Economou
Producer: Michael Economou
Producer: Louis A. Stroller
Producer: Martin Bregman
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-05-31
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of The Four Seasons
DVD Review: Alan Alda's: Why Did I Get Married?
Summary: 3 Stars
Ha, so I think you should be able to draw from my review title that I can easily compare this film to `Tyler Perry's: Why Did I Get Married?' and honestly, I feel very similar about the two films. If you've read my review for the other one (it stirred much heated debate and actually garnered me some hate mail) you'd know that I was not a huge fan. While I admitted to liking the film I also stated that I felt it had a lot of issues (not the least of which was Janet Jackson). I feel the same here. In parts I like this movie, but as a whole I don't think it works quite like everyone else seems to say it does.
I think most of you are delusional, but whatever.
The film tells of three couples who have been friends for many years and who take vacations together every season. The film takes place over the course of four seasons (or a year for those of you not mathematically inclined) and it shows the strain the friendships come over thanks to getting older. Nick expresses his desire to leave his wife Anne during the first season, and that sets off a chain reaction as the couples now have to get used to his newer, younger woman. Jack and Kate seem the most stable of the other two couples, while Claudia and Danny are apparently not as happy as they once were; both needing a spark to ignite their love for one another.
Like I said; in parts this is good.
When looking over this season for season I have come to terms with what works and what doesn't. For instance; the overall plot of six friends shifting in their relationship over the course of the year works, but the way that Alda develops his characters does not. This is a major problem because it takes away from the genuineness of the film and it makes it hard to relate to the characters. I understand that people have flaws, so please; I don't want anymore comments about how I don't understand that no one is perfect or whatever. There is a difference between flaws and what we have going on here (and in Perry's mess as well). These characters are so unlikable and annoying you can't help but despise them.
I would never be friends with anyone in this movie; and I find it very hard to believe that they would remain friends.
The first season is probably the worst of all. So, I guess it sufficed to say this movie gets off to a rocky start. The reason for this is Alda. He has the most annoying character in the film (I label him the Janet Jackson of this episode) for he is always trying to `preach' to everyone else. Listen, I am all for sharing feelings and really bonding or whatever. I am one of the most emotionally connected men you will ever meet and I pride myself in my ability to truly connect with my friends, on a deeper more meaningful level. This guy is way too much though. His toasts are ridiculous and they feel so forced that you can't take him seriously. Later in the film, in the fourth season, he tells the group he wants to `get to the heart of things' and I became so frustrated with him I wanted to scream.
WHO TALKS LIKE THAT???
Anyways, the second season is far better. It is probably the better season for it establishes Nick's new love interest and it gives us an idea of how everyone else feels about it. Jack (Alda) also keeps his mouth shut with the whole `lets analyze our feelings' bit and so we have a chance to just enjoy the underlying emotions stewing in the pot (or on the boat if you will).
The third season is the most important (especially when in regards to Nick and his ex-wife Anne). It is also the season that makes the least sense. There are a few things that happen over the course of this autumn vacation that raise questions. First is the relationship between the women. I don't know about you, but from my observation of women, they seem to be much more emotionally connected than men, and they stand up and stick by their friends much more than men do. So, the very fact that Kate and Claudia have fallen out of touch with Anne to the point where she feels neglected makes no sense to me. In all honesty, if this had been real life you can place money on the fact that Anne would be the one vacationing with the group, and not Nick. I felt that Perry's film handled that aspect of things a little better (there is no way those women would be so civil with Nick so soon after the divorce); in fact I even feel that the way Kelly and Deacon's split on `The King of Queens' was handled more realistically than this was (I can't believe I just did that). The next issue is the strange feud between Jack and Kate, which made little sense to me. Maybe it wasn't supposed to make sense. Maybe it was just to show that women at times can be crazy (no offence) but I just scratched my head thinking `really; all this over a football tackle?'
The fourth and final season is a mixed bag. They are skiing; they are having fun; Jack is back to his `analyzing' again and it is borderline excruciating; especially when they get out to dinner and Danny gets in on it. That's the bad, but the final confrontation involving the group and Ginny (Nick's new wife) is actually really effective. I was moved, slightly, and felt that it was the one note Alda hit perfectly.
So it starts on a sour note, yet ends on a good one.
The acting and character development is as poor as Perry's, maybe worse here. I hated Jackson's character as much as Alda's, maybe more so; but Alda truly was repulsive here. Carol Burnett was effective for the most part; but her character Kate was the emptiest of them all. Danny's character was as bad as Alda; truly obnoxious; so much so that believing these guys would want to be friends with him is beyond me. The first time he tallied up what I owed him for dinner would have been the last time we spoke; seriously. Claudia, like Kate, feels empty. She has a brief moment during the second season where I felt that she was going to really shine, but it was short lived. In fact, the most likable and engaging of the characters are the two (especially the one) you are supposed to feel distant towards; Nick and Ginny. Len Cariou plays his character very well and it's understandable why he's liked. He's fun, outgoing, interesting and he never feels fake. He is who he is, and he wants to be happy. Ginny wants to fit in, although that is hard for her. I also felt that Sandy Dennis, who plays Nick's ex Anne, was superb in her few scenes. Her final scene with the girls is stellar on all accounts.
So, in the end I feel torn here. Overall the film is not that good, but in parts it works well. It had a great concept but its execution was less than effective. I want this movie to be made right, because I think that if done so it could be brilliant. Alan Alda, like Tyler Perry, is too concerned with preaching to the rest of us than he is with developing realistic and intriguing characters. This needs a director and screenwriter who is willing to take a backseat to the stories development; preferably someone who is not insistent in staring in the film.
Oh well, this is just my opinion.
Description of The Four Seasons
FOUR SEASONS - DVD MovieBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Terms of EndearmentPARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2009-01-20; DVD
Best price: $5.91
Price in other shops:
Neil Simon's California SuiteFONDA,JANE; Release date: 2002-01-02; DVD
Best price: $4.76
Price in other shops:
Somewhere in Time (Collector's Edition)Universal Studios; Release date: 2000-10-31; DVD
Best price: $4.29
Price in other shops:
9 to 5 - Sexist, Egotistical, Lying Hypocritical Bigot Edition - WidescreenFONDA,JANE; Release date: 2006-04-04; DVD
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops:
Kiss Me GoodbyeKiSS; Release date: 2005-06-07; DVD
Best price: $3.98
Price in other shops:
Tootsie - 25th Anniversary EditionSony; Release date: 2008-02-05; DVD
Best price: $4.88
Price in other shops:
Seems Like Old TimesSony; Release date: 2002-03-19; DVD
Best price: $8.86
Price in other shops:
On Golden Pond (Special Edition)LION'S GATE ENTERTAINMENT; Release date: 2003-12-16; DVD
Best price: $5.10
Price in other shops:
The Goodbye GirlWHV; Release date: 2010-11-09; DVD
Best price: $4.72
Price in other shops:
Same Time, Next YearUniversal Studios; Release date: 2004-04-06; Published: 2004-04-01; DVD
Best price: $7.20
Price in other shops: