Review of Same Time, Next Year (1978) by Timothy S — 31 Aug 2009

Ellen Burstyn is absolutely terrific (as per always), and Alan Alda does what he does best (combining jokey humor and goofy charm with a lot of heart). It very much feels like watching a filmed version of a play, given the sort of claustrophobic setting of a single room for the majority of the film.

It's hard to make a film like that keep the audience's interest throughout, but the stars really make it work. The story is an interesting one, albeit a bit contrived in spots, and I especially enjoy the parts in which the protagonists speak about their families and especially their spouses.

It's fascinating, and kind of refreshing, to see that they love their families, despite leaving them for a tryst once a year. Very well-directed, and just a lovely film.