"Interiors" (1978)

This is my first review and instead of starting out with one of my top 5 or even top 20, i'm starting with this for no other reason than the fact that i want to. if anyone is going to "rip-off" (used nicely this time) Ingmar Bergman it would be Woody allen. He gets Bergman and has an obssesion with him that drives all of Allen's films. Now this was the first drama, and first film that Allen did not act in himself which was a VERY smart desicion. Allen could not have played anyone that would not create too much humor for a dark film such as this. some say that this film was his weakest because its over dramatic but i find it very realistic.

Not only does the writng make the film but it is mostly driven by the astonishing performance of Geraldine Page who was nominated for the Academy Award that year and in my opinion, she should have won. She played Eve; quiet and still shell-shocked from the recent news of her husband (E. G. Marshall) wanting a trial seperation. Then he shows up with a woman he picked up from Greece (Maureen Stapleton) that he is going to marry. Eve looses it in this wonderful scene in the church. Diane Keaton plays the ringleader of the daughters, Renata who oposes her fthers marriage and wants him to go back to Eve. Enough about the plot-you can see it for yourself. the film works as a play; silent and no music during the beginning or end credits which another fimmaker does often-Michael Haneke who made the incredible "The Piano Teacher". If you notice, Stapleton is the only one wearing some color other than gray, tan or teal; i think that shows alot about her character. the only other pop of color is located in the picture above left which is a very dramatic scene. it's clues of color that Allen uses so ingeiniously to create the mood. very much like Pedro Almodovar. the only song plays during the reception after the wedding-one of Allen's infamous jazz tunes that usually occupy the openeing and closing credits. there is huge development for Allen from the slapstick days of "Bananas", "Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex", "Sleeper" and "Casino Royale" which are entertianing films but definatly not his greatest.

The climax for "Interiors" for me was not expected and i thought it fit perfectly for Eve's dramatic actions. it was very natural and i love the way it was so delicately presented. again the performances were some of the finest of the 70's and Page's performance was a bit reminicent of Sandy Dennis' in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" which is another of my favorites and i will be reviewing. Both of the actors had idiocincracies about them that only a certain kind of actor can have; Giulietta Masina was one. i love this film dearly and it still remains one of my favorites of Allen. Again not a rip off of Bergman's "Cries and Whispers", just an homage to it.

Academy Awards, USA
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
1979	Nominated	Oscar	Best Actress in a Leading Role Geraldine Page
			Best Actress in a Supporting Role Maureen Stapleton
			Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Mel Bourne Daniel Robert
			Best Director Woody Allen
			Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen Woody Allen