Same Time, Next Year (2004, DVD)

I must admit that I was fairly surprised to see that "Same Time, Next Year" had not received a large number of Epinions written on it. I was not at all surprised, however, to see that all of the ones which have been written were highly enthusiastic. This is the film which, for me, cemented Alan Alda's place among the ranks of serious actors to be reckoned with. I can only guess that because the film is older, many people have simply not thought about it as a topic for review, and this, if true, would be a great shame.

The movie is set up as a series of vignettes, spaced irregularly over the period from 1962 to 1977, at a small country inn. The two protaganists, George and Doris, are also the only two characters, save for a few walk-on's that appear in one scene. Although married to other people when they first meet, the two meet at the same inn on the same weekend every year to continue a love affair that lasts their entire lifetime. Through their repeated meetings, we see their characters develop as they are affected by the changing times and their own personal tragedies. More importantly, we see how the friendship and the love between the two is responsible for getting each of them through these hard times.

Alan Alda is an excellent George, bringing to the role a bit of bewilderment at the way times are changing not only Doris and himself but their respective spouses, children, and the community at large. In one scene, when he is cornered and forced by Doris to explain (and in so doing, face up to) some major changes in his political outlook, he breaks down in tears explaining the personal tragedy which caused it. It is clear that here is a man lashing out. grasping desperately at anything that provides, if not an explanation, then a salve for his injuries, and Alda plays it well, neither milking it for sympathy nor avoiding the emotional scene. He passes through a free-spirited period, into pro-establishment conservatism, rejection and lifestyle simplification, and eventually into a middle-age where he seems nearly at peace with himself.

Meanwhile, Ellen Burtyn plays Doris, a woman who must make it through the many social changes of the 60s and 70s - free love, motherhood, women's liberation, to become a successful businesswoman, only to discard this role eventually in favor of that of caretaker for the husband who needs her. Burstyn did an exceptional job in this, helped considerably by excellent wardrobe and makeup which really made her (as well as Alda) appear to be aging 25 years over the course of the film.

For all the strengths of the film, I must say the ending disappointed me a bit. As the characters and the audience have been through an emotional roller coaster, and appear to be gradually approaching a sentimental but touching equilibrium, the writers decide to have a (to my mind) unnecessary bit of manipulation in order to have a "happier" ending. I feel the film would have been stronger without the ending, but it doesn't take away much from the pair of characters that we have grown to know and to love.

Of course, it would completely ruin the mood of the ending, but I would personally love to see a sequel to this film, detailing what happened to the characters after 1977. when the film ends. Perhaps this is the surest sign of a good story - that it makes you long for more, at the same time as you recognize that having more would be superfluous.

Despite its PG rating, "Same Time, Next Year" deals with mature themes and is not appropriate for youngsters. Released today, it would almost certainly be rated PG-13. and one could make a good case for R, were it not for the lack of explicit language or sexual content.