Through winter, spring, summer and fall… somehow these friends have survived them all! In this heartfelt comedy about three 40-something couples who frequently vacation together, life’s ups and downs take their toll. Their perfect dynamic is forever changed when one friend leaves his wife for a much younger woman. The lines are drawn when they are forced to take sides regarding the new couple, reminding us that friendship is like the seasons—forever changing. Written, directed and starring Alan Alda (Sweet Liberty, Betsy’s Wedding), this hit romantic comedy also stars Carol Burnett (The Front Page), Len Cariou (A Little Night Music), Sandy Dennis (The Indian Runner), Rita Moreno (The Night of the Following Day), Jack Weston (Fuzz) and Bess Armstrong (High Road to China).
For thoughts on The Four Seasons, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic here.
Video Quality
The Four Seasons makes its Blu-Ray debut courtesy of Kino Classics with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 that appears to be derived from a pretty great older master that represents the film well. This transfer maintains the natural film grain of the presentation with only minor instances of it looking a bit swarmy. The picture can run a bit soft in long shots, but colors are well saturated with the bright hues of nature coming through. Skin tones are mostly natural and consistent with facial features easily noticeable in closeup. Instances of print damage such as nicks and scratches occasionally pop up, but overall clarity and detail is quite strong. The presentation is enjoyable throughout most of the runtime with image stability and delineation being admirable. Black levels hold up well with very little in the way of crush. This presentation is an effort that should not disappoint fans of the film.
Audio Quality
This new Blu-Ray comes with a lossless DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix that features all of the sounds of the film quite well. The dialogue holds up wonderfully, coming through clearly without being stepped on by the music or sound effects. The environmental effects are delineated nicely from the splashing around the boat to the quieter moments walking through the woods. The track avoids most instances of age related wear and tear or distortion. This is a film that utilizes music well, including many songs that complement the story. This and all of the other sounds are presented with great clarity and a pleasing fidelity as they come through the room. This is a track that represents the film in a solid manner. Optional English subtitles are provided on this disc.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Entertainment Journalist and Author Bryan Reesman delivers a fun and informative commentary track in which he gives cultural context to some of the developments in the film, discusses the themes and visual motifs, delves into the how this fits with the careers of the talent involved, other notable projects associated with them including extensive work on Broadway, and much more that brings this movie into even tighter focus.
- Radio Spots: A minute-and-a-half long collection of radio spots is provided here.
- TV Spot: A 30-second TV spot for The Four Seasons is provided here.
- Trailers: The two-and-a-half-minute trailer for The Four Seasons is provided here. There are also trailers provided for The Mephisto Waltz, The Seduction of Joe Tynan, Sweet Liberty, Betsy’s Wedding and The Front Page.
Final Thoughts
The Four Seasons is a charming exploration of adult friendships and the complexity that can arise between one another. Alan Alda once again shows that he has a gift for working with performers and getting the dialogue to a place that seems very natural and believable. There is no weak link amongst the cast members as icons like Carol Burnett, Rita Moreno and Len Cariou all deliver some incredible work. Kino Classics has released a Blu-Ray featuring a rock solid A/V presentation and an enjoyable commentary track. If you like thoughtful movies about interpersonal relationships, do not sleep on this one. Recommended
The Four Seasons is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.