Eine andere Frau (1988)

Eine andere Frau: Directed by Woody Allen. With Gena Rowlands, Mia Farrow, Ian Holm, Blythe Danner. Facing a mid-life crisis, a woman 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 seeking that doctor’s help.

“Woody Allenu0026#39;s u0026quot;Another Womanu0026quot; is, upon rediscovery, a film of great power and feeling. Sadly, not many people will be open to rediscovery after the initial viewing.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGena Rowlands stars as Marion Post, a 50ish philosophy professor whose life is in order. She rents an apartment to work on her latest book. By accident, she discovers that through the heating duct, she can hear all conversations from the psychiatrist located in said building. At first, she covers the duct with cushions to block the sound, but she decides to listen in after hearing, by accident, the testimony of a young pregnant woman. This sets in motion a chain of events that changes Marion forever.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWoody has said that he originally conceived the idea as a comedy and indeed, it could be played that way (on a smaller scale in u0026quot;Everyone Says I Love Youu0026quot;). But here, Allen resists the temptation to play it for laughs. In fact, there is not one single moment of comedy relief in his film. I think that is a wise decision. I was so absorbed by Marionu0026#39;s journey that comedy would have broken the mood of the film. This film is another venture into Bergmanesque cinema and u0026quot;Another Womanu0026quot; can compare with the very best Bergman.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGena Rowlands hasnu0026#39;t had a role this good since the films of her late husband John Cassavetes. This in fact, shows another side of Rowlands; a more restrained, mannered character than the fiery, passionate characters in the Cassavetes films. It just shows the different types of roles Rowlands can play so well. She deserved an Oscar nomination for this.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn fact, the whole film is well cast by Allen. Gene Hackman is great in a mellow part as Marionu0026#39;s ex-lover. Blythe Danner makes a return to form as Marionu0026#39;s best friend. It is great to see Danner do what she does best, especially following the horrible u0026quot;Brighton Beach Memoirsu0026quot; in which she was underused. Ian Holm is superb as Marionu0026#39;s husband, who as Roger Ebert puts it u0026quot;must have a wife so he can cheat on heru0026quot;. In his final film, John Houseman allows himself to appear weak and frail; quite a change from the pillar of strength in u0026quot;The Paper Chaseu0026quot; and a good cap to a great career.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI mentioned at the beginning that not many people will be open to rediscovering u0026quot;Another Womanu0026quot;. I think that is correct. Here are my reasons why. First, the film is deliberately paced, even with a short running time of 81 minutes. Most viewersu0026#39; attention spans wonu0026#39;t be able to tolerate the long takes Allen is famous for. Second, the film doesnu0026#39;t offer any instant gratification or closure. Allenu0026#39;s story is one of those stories that just canu0026#39;t have a typical happy Hollywood ending. Third, there is Tu0026amp;A, even though adultery plays a large part in the story. So if youu0026#39;re looking for a fast paced film with T$A and guns and action and a happy ending, you might as well move on.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Another Womanu0026quot; is one of those films in which rediscovery is necessary. Allen packs so much into 81 minutes that multiple viewings are necessary to absorb it all. If you make the effort to see it again, you might find that u0026quot;Another Womanu0026quot; is a film of great power and feeling that works better every time you see it.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e**** out of 4 stars”