Another Woman (1988)

Genre

Drama

Director

Woody Allen

Country

USA

Cast

Gena Rowlands, Ian Holm, Mia Farrow, Blythe Danner, Betty Buckley, John Houseman, Sandy Dennis, Frances Conroy, Philip Bosco, Martha Plimpton, Harris Yulin, Gene Hackman, David Ogden Stiers

Storyline

Facing a midlife crisis, a woman (Gena Rowlands) rents an apartment next to a psychiatrist's office to write a new book, only to become drawn to the plight of a pregnant woman (Mia Farrow) seeking that doctor's help.

Opinion

With prominent Bergmanesque influences, "Another Woman" is a delicate, intimate and profound drama.

Woody Allen's third serious serious film after "Interiors" and "September", the film deals with the theme of existentialism, posing us many questions about existence itself, and making us reflect on the difficulties of dialogue with our own consciousness and the damage this lack of dialogue will probably, certainly lead to.

Woody Allen takes us on a journey that goes from childhood to present moment, the dreaded midlife crisis, and he does it with unusual stringent tones, and with the help of the narrative voice of the protagonist. It will be a sorrowful journey that brings out all the lies Marion tells herself before anyone else, lies that forced her to an unhappy life. Only by accepting to reveal herself to herself and looking inside of her will give her another opportunity. 

In this film can be found most of the elements presents in other Allen's films - the upper Manhattan intellectuals and dysfunctional relationships -, but there's something missing, the laughs. Like I said before, this is a very serious matter, and therefore there is no place for Allen's usually nervous, neurotic characters. 

One good reason to watch "Another Woman" is Gena Rowlands. First, her narration is very easy and pleasing to listen to. Second, she gives an excellent performance as Marion. She manages to capture every nuance of the character, and her performance doesn't feel forced at all: she is so natural it almost looks like she's playing herself. Significantly overshadowed by Rowland's performance, the rest of the cast also does a good job.

Mention-Worthy Quotes

Marion: I closed the book, and felt this strange mixture of wistfulness and hope, and I wondered if a memory is something you have or something you've lost. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace.