IMDb > Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973)

Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   206 votes
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Down 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Gilbert Cates
Writer:
Stewart Stern (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 September 1974 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Drama more
Plot:
Rita, a middle aged New York City homemaker, finds herself in an emotional crisis which forces her to re-examine her life... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations more
User Comments:
Marvelous acting more (7 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Joanne Woodward ... Rita Walden
Martin Balsam ... Harry Walden
Sylvia Sidney ... Mrs. Pritchett

Tresa Hughes ... Betty Goody
Dori Brenner ... Anna
Ron Richards ... Bobby Walden
Win Forman ... Fred Goody
Peter Marklin ... Joel
Nancy Andrews ... Mrs. Hungerford
Minerva Pious ... Woman in Theatre
Sol Frieder ... Man in Theatre
Helen Ludlam ... Grandmother
Grant Code ... Grandfather
Gaetano Lisi ... Student in Theatre
Lee Jackson ... Carl
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
93 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | French
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
Sweden:15 | USA:PG
Filming Locations:
Bastogne, Belgium more
Company:
Rastar Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Features Smultronstället (1957) more

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User Comments

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5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
Marvelous acting, 1 March 2008
7/10
Author: sdave7596 from United States

By the early 1970's, films had become more personal and character studies were emerging on the screen. Such is the case with "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams." At first glance, the film seems to be about Rita (Joanne Woodward) coping with the sudden and awful death of her mother (the wonderful Sylvia Sidney). The film then shifts to the apparently empty marriage between Rita and her husband Harry (Martin Balsam). They travel to Europe, where emotions and past resentments come to the foreground. Rita has much guilt about her son, who apparently wants nothing to do with her or Harry - we find out he is gay, but never the exact reasons why he can't stand either of them! (The son is seen only in flashbacks). Harry has a very emotional reaction while visiting Bastogne, where he fought in WWII. Rita has a breakdown in a London subway tunnel, apparently imaging she has seen her dead mother. Harry and Rita's daughter seems to have no purpose in the film except to be sanctimonious and shrill. This is not a perfect film, and at times the script jumps around. There are a few things that don't quite jive. There seems to be a lot of Freudian type psycho babble in the film (which was popular at the time). But it is the fine performance of Joanne Woodward that shines here. Ms. Woodward is one of the best actresses ever to grace the American cinema. Martin Balsam is in fine form here too. A quiet little film worth watching.

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