Interiors | Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page | Exceptional, and Gets Better With Time

Interiors | Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page | The "Interiors" of lost souls

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Interiors

	Interiors Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page MGM (Video & DVD), 2000 average customer review:based on 49 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Exceptional, and Gets Better With Time

Very highly recommended. This is a carefully nuanced work of art that needs time and exposure to be appreciated. The acting, the writing and the visuals are all stunning. "Interiors" is a gifted examination of the crippling effects of perfectionism, and the vacuity of life lived only in the head.

The "Interiors" of lost souls

Woody Allen's follow up to his Academy Award winning film "Annie Hall" was his first drama, and a real disappointment when first released. But, dispite the unwarm reception it received from the American public "Interiors" went on to earn several Academy Award nominataions including; "Best Director", "Best Screenplay", and "Best Actress" (Geraldine Page). I avoided watching this film due to awful word-of mouth. The funny thing is I own a copy of this film for 4 years and never was once tempted to watch it, that is untill a few days ago. "Interiors" I now feel is a true masterpiece, but, of course it has it's share of faults, which I will get to later.
The main reason I enjoy this story, which is mainly about a family crumbling, is because I can connect with the characters. I love movies about hard, grim subjects, especially ones that deal with families, as you can tell I'm just a load of laughs to be around lol. Allen managed to create some very interresting characters. I really loved watching Mary Beth Hurt, who plays I believe the middle child of three sisters, Joey. Joey, as Renata (Diane Keaton) puts it, has all the personal problems of an artist, but, none of the talent. Joey yearns to be able to express the feelings she has inside, but doesn't know how to express them. She is one of the most interesting characters I've seen in a while. You can't help but feel for her. I enjoyed the little bit we see of Flyn, the youngest sister played by Kristen Griffith, she is what I would call the "black sheep" of the family. She's a daytime soap opera actress, who gets mixed up with drugs and drinking. She also seems "lost" and it looks as if she will never find her direction. I just wish Allen would of find some way to make her a stronger character. I kept wanting to know more about her. Finally, of course when you have a talent like E.G. Marshall in a movie, you can expect him to bring something special with him. His just perfect as Arthur, the husband and father who is going through a mild depression.
Now the faults. The dialogue seems stiff. No one in this movie talks the way "real" people talk. I didn't like Diane Keaton in this movie very much. I think it's the worst character Allen has ever written for her, and I say this because, I didn't find her to be likeable. When we think back to movies like "Sleeper", "Manhattan"", and "Annie Hall" she was always likeable in them. I found her character to be rather bland. But, I must admit, she does have one great scene where she and her husband, Frederick (Richard Jordon) get into an agrument. That scene is just full of emotion. It reminds me of Ingmar Bergman's "Scenes From A Marriage". It reaches that same level of intensity. The character Mike, played by Sam Waterson is rather bland as well. There was nothing really there for him. But, don't worry Allen would later give him a much better role in "Crime and Misdemeanors" as a blind rabbi. Maureen Stapleton seems like she's having fun with her role, and she does a fine job, only problem, again, Allen didn't give her a big enough part. By the time she enters the movie, you have about 30-40 minutes till the film ends. Woody has been quoted saying, if he could remake this film he would have introduced her much earlier into the film. For those who don't like Allen's "European" films, stay far away. As I was watching this film I could almost picture the characters dialogue appearing as subtitles. Everyone is under the impression that this film is Allen's answer to Bergman's "Autumn Sonta", well you couldn't be more wrong. True, both films were released in the same year. If you want to see Allen's version of "Autumn Sonata" watch "September", but beware. As "September" is a much weaker film than this. Infact I consider it to be Allen's worst. There is one scene I feel I have to mention before ending my review. There's a scene where Joey (Mary Beth Hurt) finds out she's going to have a baby. She doesn't want a child right now, but Mike (Sam Waterson) thinks it might be a good idea for them to have a baby and get married. In the next scene, Joey wakes up before Mike and just starts to watch him sleep. She then leans over and starts to wake him up with her kisses, it's the most touching scene in this entire film. Which is really a "cold" film that shows no passion at all. This marked a wonderful try to do a straight drama by Allen, I really enjoyed this film. And I hope others will too!

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Woody, drama?!!

I have seen about half of Woody Allens films, and I have yet to find on that I do not enjoy! I think that Interiors is Woody taking a different approach to similar material. In his films, he often finds humor in difficult subjects such as relationships, criticism and death. In this film, there is not one trace of a joke, not one! It is a complete departure from Love And Death, which he made only three years earlier. I find it to be a very good example of his dynamic talent as a film-maker. The performances in the cast are indeed very excellent, especially those by Keaton and Page. Overall, a good movie. I reccomend it!

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Save Us !

I can't be too critical of Woody...This is a brilliant film if you want to be left in the dumps.. Aside from all the intelligecia who have reviewed this film.. here it is from a Woody lover without all the internal angst.. You won't find one person in this family of dysfunctionals you will like. Save, Maureen Stapleton, the outsider and new bride , who comes along later.. They are all so self internalizing.. God !! Is this what New York does to you ? If you love Woody...stay away from this one..as you image of the brilliant, intelligent; film maker will be dashed.. After Interiors, I'll take of double dose of Danny Rose.. You'll need a "pick me up " too

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