Musings: Same Time, Next Year (1978)

Same time, Next Year, USA, (1978)
Cast: Alan Alda, Ellen Burstyn
Directed by Robert Mulligan


If you've seen the adaptation of the bestselling novel, One Day, then you might find the 1973 Robert Mulligan film, Same Time, Next Year a bit familiar. Simply put, the story revolves around George (Alan Alda), an accountant and Doris (Ellen Burstyn), a housewife. They have an illicit affair, which they continue for the next 25 years, agreeing to meet only for a weekend getaway once a year, at the same hotel where they first laid their eyes on each other  in 1951.

At first, you might consider the plot a bit strange, or highly preposterous- just once a year? Well, that's if you put it in the context of the age of the new media, where you can conveniently reach a person through phone, e-mail, and the other social networking sites. Thus, why wait for another 364 days when you can have some sort of transcontinental booty call practically anytime, anywhere? But that's also the exact reason why this movie perfectly belongs to its time- the late 70s- where the premise is more appropriate, hence, giving it a more 'i-miss-you/need-you' longing from the characters.

Also, although the film's plot tend to bring it on the downside, you have to give credit to the actors who astonishingly gave life to the characters. Apparently, Alda's and Burstyn's portrayals are evidently moving and quite comical, should there be a need of them. For a storyline which spans 25 years, obviously, the actors do carry out varied character performances which suit the need of the time and of the situation (SPOILER ALERT: e.g. when they first met at the cabin, their 5th year anniversary, when Doris was pregnant, when it was revealed that George's son died, when Doris got back to college). Hence, in a short time, you can clearly see the evolution of the characters, thanks to Alda and Burstyn; they make it even more believable.

A good thing about this adaptation of Bernard Slade's Broadway play of the same name is that it offers us a witty and tight script. The banters and the quips are very funny and insightful (quotable quotes below). However, since film is another visual medium far different than that of the stage, admittedly, the heavily theatrical gestures and lengthy dialogue might be a disappointment to this aspect. Nevertheless, if you are a romantic, you will find a sweet comfort that is only found in Same Time, Next Year.


P.S.
You might want to check out the OST of this film- The Last Time It Felt Like This by Johnny Mathis.



George: I'm a married man with three children.
Doris: Three? I thought you said two.
George: I thought it would make me seem less married. 


Doris: [after kissing George] Wanna fuck?
George: ...What?
Doris: You didn't understand the question? 


George: You know what the worst part of this is? While I'm thinking all of this... I have the most fantastic hard-on 


George: You always could see through me, couldn't you?
Doris: But that's okay, because... I've always loved what I've seen.