From 1975 to 1980 Woody Allen turned out a film a year. Two of the films created during this prolific period were his masterpieces Annie Hall and Manhattan. After the release of Stardust Memories, a sort of autobiographical rant against his fans and his own popularity he took a brief hiatus from movie making.
When he returned in 1982 with A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy he demonstrated a more relaxed and mature style of films. This film marked the first time that Allen used an ensemble cast with him as just one part of a larger group. It also is the first of the thirteen films he would make with Mia Farrow.
The film is a cross between Shakespeare and Ingmar Bergman and while light in tone compared to his other films, still an enjoyable romp. The film drops the satire and sarcasm of his previous works and replaces it with a screwball comedy of manners.
The film takes place in the turn-of-the-century country home of Andrew (Woody Allen) and Adrian (Mary Steenburgen). Andrew works on wall street, but during the summer months he retreats to the country where he creates crack-pot inventions. Andrew and Adrian are deeply in love, but their marriage has been on the rocks for a few months. Leopold (Jose Ferrer) is Adrian's cousin. A pompous professor, he is engaged to be married to Ariel (Mia Farrow). Leopold and Ariel are driving out for a weekend in the country to meet cousin Adrian and get married at their country home. Dr. Maxwell (Tony Roberts) is Andrew's best friend and randy as a goat. He has a new woman with him every week. He is joining the party in the country and he brings his date, the lusty Dulcy (Julie Hagerty)
It turns out that Andrew knows Ariel and once lusted after her. Dr. Maxwell is instantly taken with Ariel and wants her for himself. Meanwhile Leopold had his eye on the youthful and vigorous Dulcy. Ariel is torn between her fidelity to Leopold, her memories for Andrew and her attraction to Maxwell. Amongst all this Adrian has her own issues to work out. What ensues are thwarted seductions and mis-matched mates as group explore the meanings of love, sex, jealousy, romance and mysticism all on a beautiful summer day
It is not one of the best films Allen ever made, but it has enough of his signature one liners and situations to make it enjoyable. It also promises great things to come in this new ensemble style of film making.
At The Movie House rating ** 1/2
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