The Four Seasons (1981)

Director:

Alan Alda

Writer:

Alan Alda (written by)

Release Date:

22 May 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Here's to our friends... and the strength to put up with them.

Plot:

Three middle-aged wealthy couples take vacations together in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Along the way we are treated to mid-life...

Plot Keywords:

Skiing | Log Cabin | Directed By Star | Yachting | Friendship

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Alan Alda	...	Jack Burroughs
Carol Burnett	...	Kate Burroughs
Len Cariou	...	Nick Callan
Sandy Dennis	...	Anne Callan
Rita Moreno	...	Claudia Zimmer
Jack Weston	...	Danny Zimmer
Bess Armstrong	...	Ginny Newley (Callan)
Elizabeth Alda	...	Beth Burroughs
Beatrice Alda	...	Lisa Callan
Robert Hitt	...	Room Clerk
Kristi McCarthy	...	Waitress
David Stackpole	...	Doctor

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Norway:12 | Finland:S | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Agnes Scott College - 141 E. College Avenue, Decatur, Georgia, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Alan Alda said what inspired the film was an actual incident where he judged a friend too harshly. He realized that not only was he wrong, that friendship goes through "seasons"; so he wrote the script based on that notion.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: The boat scene when it hits the sandbar a crewman is visible.

Quotes:

Danny: [whining about his various health issues] I have shifted into a state of entropy that is progressing geometrically.
Jack: Entropy. Geometrically. Danny, you talk like a bad textbook.
Danny: You think that because I'm quirky I don't hurt? You've got it backwards. I'm quirky because I hurt.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Alien from L.A. (#6.16)" (1993)

I love this movie

I was 14 when The Four Seasons came out. For the first time I saw the veil torn from the troubled adult world. The actors all did believable, authentic, and often poignant work. The plot pleasurably unfolded with the help of joyous music and a very perceptive script. The balance of tension, sadness, anger, and humor was just right.

Victor Kemper's natural-light cinematography was gorgeous. Alda and Burnett's discussion scene (shot from outside, looking at them holding each other as rain falls on the window) was unforgettable. A simple moment, but to me a landmark of what cinema can be when filmmakers care about what they're doing.