{"id":15556,"date":"2011-01-22T20:24:20","date_gmt":"2011-01-23T03:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=15556"},"modified":"2021-01-31T11:30:19","modified_gmt":"2021-01-31T18:30:19","slug":"lovers-and-other-strangers-1970","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=15556","title":{"rendered":"Lovers and Other Strangers (1970)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I love weddings &#8212; they&#8217;re such a family thing.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Poster-193x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"193\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-15557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Poster-193x300.jpg 193w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Poster-82x128.jpg 82w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 193px) 100vw, 193px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAs Mike (Michael Brandon) and Susan&#8217;s (Bonnie Bedelia) wedding approaches and Mike experiences cold feet, their friends and family members struggle with relationship issues of their own.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bonnie Bedelia Films<\/li>\n<li>Diane Keaton Films<\/li>\n<li>Ensemble Cast<\/li>\n<li>Marital Problems<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptations<\/li>\n<li>Romantic Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Weddings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nBased on a <a href=\"http:\/\/ibdb.com\/production.php?id=3427\">play<\/a> by married writing team Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, this ensemble romantic comedy (featuring the Oscar-winning song &#8220;For All We Know&#8221;, popularized by Karen Carpenter) still retains much of its charm and relevancy. Shifting between numerous serio-comic storylines &#8212; all focusing on the challenges inherent in either initiating or maintaining a romantic relationship &#8212; it features a host of fine performances by both little-known actors (i.e., Marian Hailey, whose film career went nowhere) and actors who would shortly make bigger names for themselves (i.e., a baby-faced Diane Keaton in her film debut). The film nicely infuses humor into such weighty issues as divorce, sexual dissatisfaction, and infidelity; and while some subplots are (naturally) more satisfying than others, all seem crafted with care. <\/p>\n<p>Bedelia is lovely as the bride-to-be who knows exactly how to handle her nervous groom; we sense that this couple will stick it out, and their interactions serve as an effectively grounded counterpoint to the rest of the movie. The most blatantly comedic storyline follows a horny friend-of-the-groom (Bob Dishy) determined to &#8220;score&#8221; with the bride&#8217;s ditzy cousin (Hailey); their cat-and-mouse courtship offers some giggle-worthy surprises. Bea Arthur and Richard Castellano are note-perfect as the devout Catholic parents of Brandon and Joseph Hindy; their deep distress and bafflement at the dissolution of Hindy&#8217;s marriage to Diane Keaton is sensitively handled.  Much less humorous (and not given enough screentime) is the depiction of an ongoing affair between the father of the bride (Gig Young) and a family friend (Anne Jackson); this scenario ultimately comes across as simply tragic in its inevitability. The most dated subplot &#8212; though it still packs a disturbing punch in its own way &#8212; shows Anne Meara&#8217;s happily married but sexually neglected housewife attempting to assuage her insecure husband (Harry Guardino). <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Taylor and Bologna&#8217;s follow-up film was the 1971 sleeper <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=15530\"><em>Made For Each Other<\/em><\/a>, which deals in an even more brutally incisive fashion with relationship issues; they would make an interesting, emotionally loaded double-bill. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fine performances by the entire ensemble cast<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Bedelia.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Bedelia.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Bedelia.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Bedelia-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Bedelia-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Meara.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Meara.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Meara.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Meara-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Meara-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Arthur.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Arthur.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Arthur.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Arthur-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Arthur-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Hailey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Hailey.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Hailey.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Hailey-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Hailey-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Jackson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Jackson.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Jackson.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Jackson-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/LoversOtherStrangers-Jackson-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>An often clever, still largely relevant screenplay\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended. Listed as a Sleeper in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0066016\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/lovers-and-other-strangers-1970\">Roger Ebert&#8217;s Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s1315love.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.classicfilmguide.com\/index67f3.html\">Classic Film Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/22800\/lovers-and-other-strangers#articles-reviews?articleId=115803\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I love weddings &#8212; they&#8217;re such a family thing.&#8221; Synopsis: As Mike (Michael Brandon) and Susan&#8217;s (Bonnie Bedelia) wedding approaches and Mike experiences cold feet, their friends and family members struggle with relationship issues of their own. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Bonnie Bedelia Films Diane Keaton Films Ensemble Cast Marital Problems Play Adaptations Romantic Comedy Weddings Review: Based on a play by married writing team Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, this ensemble romantic comedy (featuring the Oscar-winning song &#8220;For&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=15556\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15556","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15556"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15556\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67366,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15556\/revisions\/67366"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}