Movies

For better or worse: In ‘The Four Seasons,’ Tina Fey and Will Forte depict a relatable marriage

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2002 marked the first encounter between Tina Fey and Will Forte, though the specifics remain unclear, it’s known that this meeting took place within NBC Studios, nestled at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.

Fey had already been working as a head writer and performer for several seasons on “Saturday Night Live,” while Forte was only starting his eight-season journey on the comedy show.

Fey shares that her memories of ‘SNL’ feel hazy to her. Seth Meyers seems to have an incredible ability to recall meeting everyone, often reminding her of past skits with phrases like, “Don’t you remember when we did this?” However, she struggles to remember such interactions herself. In contrast, Fey can easily recall the salads she bought from Tossed or sandwiches from Cosi, but human interactions tend to elude her memory.

Speaking beside Fey in April, Forte confessed, “I’m just as forgetful,” he admitted. “A person asked me not long ago, ‘Have you ever met The Rock?’ I’m a big fan of The Rock, we did an episode of SNL together. And I couldn’t recall it.

According to Fey, friendships formed on ‘SNL’ are like a gradual buildup. You spend so much time together, day and night, that it feels like you’ve always known each other. One day I even asked him, “I don’t know how I know you. I just know you.

Two decades later, the pair reunites, appearing in “The Four Seasons,” a television adaptation of Alan Alda’s 1981 romantic comedy film with the same title. This series delves into the complexities of long-term relationships, be they romantic or platonic, spanning a year. Previously, they have collaborated following their stint on “SNL” – Forte had a recurring role in Fey’s “30 Rock,” and both appeared together in the 2008 film “Baby Mama,” which starred Fey and Amy Poehler.

Review

‘The Four Seasons’ tackles marriage at midlife, with its relatable ups and downs

According to Alan Alda’s 1981 movie, ‘The Four Seasons’ is a highly enjoyable, light-hearted, occasionally turbulent new comedy on Netflix, created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield.

A fresh Netflix series debuted on Thursday, centering around three long-time friends: Kate (Fey) & Jack (Forte), Nick (Steve Carell) & Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), and Danny (Colman Domingo) & Claude (Marco Calvani). They’ve grown accustomed to taking vacations together, maintaining their bond over the years. However, a twist occurs when Nick decides to leave Anne for a younger woman, causing ripples in their friendships and stirring up underlying issues within the other relationships. Despite its comedic tone, the narrative delves into the poignant realities and heartfelt sincerity that often accompany individuals grappling with midlife challenges.

Apart from playing the leading character, Fey also co-created and wrote this fresh take on “Four Seasons” alongside fellow writers-producers Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield. Fey fondly remembered the original show, as it was frequently played during the early days of cable television: “There was something so inspiring and comforting about it,” she said. “One of the things I appreciated most was that it featured actors I admired from other shows – Alan Alda from ‘MASH,’ Carol Burnett from ‘The Carol Burnett Show,’ Rita Moreno from ‘The Electric Company.’ It was a mind-blowing experience, like having my own ‘Avengers’ cast.” (Alda appears in the series as a guest star.)

As a film enthusiast, I found myself deeply captivated by the concept of exploring the dynamic shifts of substantial adult relationships throughout various life phases – their ability to flourish, yield, or shatter.

As a movie enthusiast, I aimed to craft a heartfelt tribute through this film, honoring the beauty of enduring marriages, the strength of lifelong friendships, and those special relationships that have been part of our lives for decades, often overlooked but when examined closely, prove to be the most cherished treasures we possess.

Kate and Jack soon establish themselves as the central couple, offering a genuine depiction of what it entails to cherish someone through thick and thin, along with all the minor irritations in between. Their relationship is marked by affection and annoyance, humor and cynicism; admiration and exhaustion. They appear to appreciate each other and love each other deeply, and just as importantly, they navigate life’s messy aspects together.

According to Fey, “they seem confident,” she explains, “because they believe they understand their relationship better than most other couples do.

As a devoted cinephile, I firmly believe that many relationships worldwide share this common trait: it doesn’t take much to derail them, sending them spiraling off-course. Swerving back on track is crucial; otherwise, the downward spiral might deepen, making recovery all the more challenging.

In a suitably elegant setting, the duo finds themselves settled within the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. For a brief instant, their attention veers towards a pair of oversized blueberry muffins set before them. All morning, Fey had been enthusiastically touting these treats, Forte notes as he stretches for his own.

Fey happily mentions that it has a layer of compote inside, which might require forks to access. She adds that the best part is this compote filling, and if this conversation leads to her receiving a complimentary blueberry muffin, then our work will have been successful.

“Oh, my God, what is happening here?” Forte says as blueberry goo oozes out of his pastry.

In the portrayal of their characters, Jack is played by Will Forte and Kate by Tina Fey. According to Tina, they seem to believe they understand their relationship better than most other couples do. (Quote by Jon Pack / Netflix)

According to Will Forte, it doesn’t take much to veer you off course and send you spiraling, so it’s crucial to make immediate adjustments or risk going even more astray. (Francisco Roman / Netflix)

The series beautifully and humorously portrays the everyday aspects of married life through charming, relatable details. In a particular scene towards the end of the season, Kate tries to make amends after a tough night by driving for two hours to get Jack his favorite sandwich. However, she mistakenly orders sandwich No. 17 instead of the intended No. 7. Despite this error, Jack graciously removes the ingredients he doesn’t like, cleans off the condiments, and eats the sandwich sideways, acting as if nothing is wrong. Meanwhile, Kate watches in a mix of disapproval and admiration as Jack’s room service arrives – his own act of kindness. Interestingly, Jack had ordered two full pitchers of juice.

Sometimes, in the course of marriage, there are instances when your well-meaning actions might not turn out as perfectly as intended.

According to Wigfield, Kate and Jack were the most enjoyable characters for her to write about. However, they posed a challenge due to our aim to create a relatable story about marriage. Marriage, as we know, carries a lot of weight – it’s always possible for it to end in divorce or for things to fall apart drastically. Yet, on a day-to-day basis, it doesn’t feel so dramatic. It’s not typically filled with constant shouting and turmoil.

Instead, she suggests it’s about recurring patterns that persist if left unchecked, eventually escalating in scale.

Instead of simply suggesting that everyone follow Nick’s actions, we aimed for this to encompass the idea that marriage, something many find worth fighting for, is rarely simple.

In comparison, it’s a more subdued representation of a long-lasting marriage, unlike the intense portrayals seen in films such as “Marriage Story” or “Scenes From a Marriage.

Fisher explains, “We aimed for subtlety and were seeking the ideal balance.” He uses the example of married couples who may argue intensely but still find time to enjoy each other later on due to external commitments. The concept was about finding the right blend of passive-aggressiveness, anger, and love in that balance.

Tina Fey and Forte find themselves at varying points in their matrimonial journeys – Tina Fey has been with her husband, composer and producer Jeff Richmond, since 2001; Forte tied the knot with Olivia Modling in 2021. Both recognize that even strong unions can be tested by life’s major twists and daily annoyances.

In creating this series, I found myself frequently remarking to Lang, Tracey, and the writing team, “My character is such a nightmare.” It led me to ponder, “Am I really this difficult all the time? I don’t believe so. At home, I certainly don’t act that way. But I do think the small, repeated slights between partners, that ongoing cycle of ‘sorry, let’s start over,’ resonates because it seems there’s a genuine thing about constantly making minor mistakes that, if not immediately addressed, can escalate into something significant.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself walking down the aisle four or five years back. Regardless of how fresh the relationship feels, by year four or five, you’re navigating the same challenges couples face after two decades together. Here’s what I’ve discovered: at every stage of this journey, it’s essential to continually work on our bond. Swift action is key when it comes to making adjustments. Don’t dwell on issues; tackle them head-on instead.

It’s usually more straightforward to talk about something than to actually do it, as Forte admits. There are aspects of Jack that seemed familiar to him: “I always feel like I’m doing the right thing,” he notes, “and you can see how that can be irritating and troublesome.” He jokes, “I might just be a more annoying version of Jack.

“I don’t think so,” Fey interjects. “We’ll have to ask Olivia.”

It’s evident that Forte sometimes resembles Jack in his tendency to bypass minor issues without directly addressing them. His story, which appears quite real and amusing at once, seems more like an actual experience than a hypothetical scenario (though Olivia might clarify this point).

It’s like a recurring issue where I mention that I prefer it when the light isn’t left on all the time. Yet, the next time I visit, the light is on again. I remind you of our previous conversation, but the third time around, it’s just about ‘the light.’ By the fourth instance, I can’t help but wonder if my concerns are being overlooked. Although I can’t express my frustration directly for fear of repercussions, I still feel emotionally upset that my words seem to fall on deaf ears.

Speaking from personal experience, “I share the same predicament regarding lights in our home, specifically my closet.” Open the door and it turns on. Sometimes, I’m blamed for forgetting to turn it off, but I insist that he should close the doors properly instead. It often happens that he leaves the light on in the room he just exited, a room with its own switch, which he claims not to do. However, I can vouch for the fact that this is indeed his habit, hence our ongoing struggle to manage the lights in our home. That’s why we seem to be perpetually battling over the lights!

Forte admits he has a habit of finding excuses similar to this one,” he says, ready to joke about his shortcomings. “In essence, these excuses allow me to procrastinate. I might say something like, ‘Hey, remember that light you always forget to turn off? That’s why my tasks aren’t scheduled – because the light is on.’ Eventually, I learn to schedule my tasks regardless and hope the light is off.

Fey jokes that those two things have no connection at all,” she says, “Perhaps a universal remote or an extremely subtle applause device would be more helpful.”

Or simply:

“Fey humorously points out that the two items are not related. Perhaps a universal remote or a discreet clapping mechanism might be useful instead.

My wife is like an angel – she’s amazing and an exceptional mother. And she always forgets to turn off the light,” he jokes casually.

The pair think it’s that kind of lightheartedness that keeps Kate and Jack intact and grounded.

“They’re one of the lucky couples who keep finding their way back to each other,” Fey says.

How’s that for a happily ever after?

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2025-05-01 22:32

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