Source:Lain Lucey– from the opening scene in Same Time Next Year.

Source:The New Democrat

“SAME TIME NEXT YEAR ( MOVIE ) (1978) MARVIN HAMLISCH MUSICAL INTERLUDES,.. ALAN ALDA ELLEN BURSTYN”

From Lain Lucey

Same Time Next Year might be the best romantic comedy of all-time. And if it isn’t, it might be the smartest romantic comedy of all-time and definitely in the top one percent of both categories. Because I don’t believe it was trying to be funny, but the movie was just so natural with the two main characters George and Dorris (played by Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn) who were just so real with both having noticeable flaws that came out often especially George. And the two both looking for something different in their relationships.

The only part of the movie I do not get is the opening scene: why would two happily married people be out in the country by themselves having dinner by themselves? What were they doing there all alone when they are both happily married with kids? But that is how the movie and this love affair that is only one weekend a year, but for the next twenty-six years starts. And this would actually be a movie that should’ve had a second chapter to see how this couple made out because both of their spouses die in the movie.

What I also love about this movie is when George and Helen weren’t making love in the movie, the rest of the movie was conversational between this couple. And you get to learn so much about them. About how vulnerable and lacking in self-confidence George was. And how unsure he was and easy to blame himself about things and how bad of a liar he was. To Helen wanting a stronger man in his life stronger than the man her husband was. These are two very good caring people, but two real people looking for something different in their lives.