When Woody chose to follow Annie Hall with a serious film, he certainly succeeded - there isn't one funny line or irony in the film at all. Even Bergman had jokes (although I suppose if you want to put it this way, this is later Cries and Whispers Bergman: between you and me, not the best sort. Shh.)
Very well acted by Mary Beth Hurt, Diane Keaton and Kristin Griffith as the messed up sisters, Geraldine Page the extremely messed up mother (she is maddening - her fastidiousness and insecurity) and E.G. Marshall the understandably distancing father (though even he has issues and definitely favours the Hurt child). Husbands are Sam Waterstone and Richard Jordan and the new wife to be Maureen Stapleton is actually the sanest of the lot.
Beautifully shot by Gordon Willis (love that tracking shot through the church) and edited by Ralph Rosenblum. This is one of only two Woodys I think with no music (the other being Husbands and Wives.) No - Annie Hall doesn't either.*
So I'm not sure it's one we'd watch over and over again, but good to see.
* Yes it does.
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