This Woody Allen drama combines many of his frequently used elements, bringing a fresh combination to the themes he often visits. Infidelity, marital difficulties, therapy, and mortality are all discussed ad nauseum in the film, but instead of a linear storyline, he films it as a pseudo-documentary. The four main characters are separately interviewed to discuss their thoughts and feelings, interspersed with the plot of the destruction of the two marriages, which is sometimes narrated by the interviewer.Sydney Pollack and Judy Davis announce to their closest friends Woody Allen and Mia Farrow that they're ending their marriage. As they explore the single life, Woody and Mia look at the problems in their own marriage. Mia's tempted by Liam Neeson, a co-worker, and Woody is drawn to the hero-worship of one of his students, Juliette Lewis.I didn't really like this movie, because besides Mia Farrow, none of the characters were remotely likable. Mia's given the least impetus in the plot, so for most of the movie, I became increasingly more frustrated with everyone else. Yes, everyone has problems and relationships are incredibly difficult, but is it necessary to waste 104 minutes watching an uninteresting movie about it? If a movie's going to depress me, it'd better have a reason. Plus, knowing that the twelve-year relationship between Mia and Woody went down in scandalous flames during this film makes it difficult to enjoy watching them argue on screen. This was the last of their thirteen movies together, and I can't help but think that was part of the reason audiences flocked to the theaters to see this one.DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie is not your friend. Pretty much the entire movie uses a hand-held cameras, and it will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

I watched this movie at the time of its release when I was in my twenties and found it unremarkable. After many years and a serious relationship, this finally hit home.In documentary-style, Allen shows us what most middle aged couples fear to face: the dissolution of their marriages, due to habit, boredom and frustration. The kind of situation that arises simply by living with someone for many years, without any major dramatic event occurring.Allen and Farrow plays Gabe and Judy. Since the movie was the last before their acrimonious split, most of their dialogue sounds uncomfortably realistic. Pollack and Davis are their friends Jack and Sally, who set the story in motion with their "trial" separation.Soon all four friends are entangled in new relationship or fantasize about one. Sally and then Judy are attracted to romantic Michael (Neeson), while Gabe is infatuated with Rain (Juliette Lewis) a student, who reciprocates.However, Rain is "just" a serial older-men lover with the most annoying nasal voice and this indiscretion ends nowhere. On a side note, I never liked Lewis, who once again plays a lascivious nymphet with little energy.I am not a big fan of Farrow, either. With her oversize, thick sweaters, long skirts and super-short hair Farrow is at her most unattractive in this movie. Her character is also whiny and pushy, making her my least favorite of the quartet.The movie ends with a twist that I found hard to believe, and a lot of ambiguity about the future of the characters that I found a lot more believable. Not for the romantics, but definitely worthy.

My rating for this movie is high when I mean the shooting and the hardening interests of Woody. The plot is well known and the style - the same. But the movie succeeded in carrying you into his idea and to make you ask yourself which protagonist of its are you or which protagonist I am in life.Even we can generalize the moments in the movie to the total moments which the producer and the script-writer are showing recently. Here we speak about the people who stay with us, who helps us get up when we fall, with who we live easily or even we love. More, the movie shows the inability to tore with our past, not to be the therefore in the concluding, to change our life when we are grown ups. Or shows the derail of the present into the unknown future.So, this film is good but it is a modified version of other Allen's pieces of art. Made a little like a documentary and on moments like a staging.http://vihrenmitevmovies.blogspot.com/

My partner and I, while also watching other films, are working our way through the Woody Allen library. We're making our way from A to Z and just last night watched Husbands and Wives.What I liked: What isn't there to like? Woody Allen turned in perhaps his greatest performance to date. He was witty and intelligent without being goofy, and didn't rely too much on physical humor. As usual Mia Farrow was excellent along side Mr Allen and even stole the show at certain points. Liam Neison, Sydney Pollack, Judy Davis, Juliette Lewis, and so many others performed fabulously. The dialogue, focus on relationships, single camera shots, and the soundtrack were all on par with other Allen movies I've seen. Unlike most movies, I didn't really notice much of an arch. There were a few dramatic parts – marriages ending and coming back together, flirtation with adultery – but for the most part the film started at a dinner engagement with strong dialogue and ended much the same.What I didn't like: I'm hard pressed to find something I didn't like, but I also don't consider it the best movie I've ever seen, so there must be something. I suppose I would have enjoyed Allen and Lewis actually having an affair. Other than that, there's nothing negative I can think of to say. A life lived without seeing this film is a live lived incompletely.