Movies

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

BBG News

Prior to the term “adult” being primarily associated with adult content, it referred to media designed for individuals who had lived a bit and could appreciate stories that mirrored their life experiences. These were people seeking mature themes, either humorously depicted as comedy or seriously portrayed as tragedy, rather than childish content. Essentially, this was the antithesis of “juvenile.

In the past, these types of films seemed to have a significant audience, possibly even a popular choice among viewers – movies such as “Kramer vs. Kramer,” “The Big Chill,” and “An Unmarried Woman” come to mind when I think back. It appears that even younger individuals, before they had the luxury of watching only themselves on TV, showed some interest (and perhaps still do; please share if you do, young people). The age group of 49 and above might not be television’s most sought-after demographic, but it represents a substantial portion of the population and many of them own televisions.

In simpler terms, “The Four Seasons” is a fresh, entertaining, yet somewhat bumpy comedy now streaming on Netflix, created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield. This new production revisits a highly successful 1981 film about couples who are no longer young in marriage. Alan Alda, the original writer, director, and star, makes a cameo appearance, suggesting his approval of this modern adaptation.

In a nutshell, the TV adaptation introduces fresh plot twists and additional scenes, given that it’s twice as long as the movie. However, it largely maintains the structure of the original story and keeps the essence of its characters, who have similar names to their counterparts (except Claudia, now known as Claude).

As a cinema enthusiast, I must say this movie resonates deeply with my experiences as an adult. The protagonist might not be past 30, but she embodies the struggles of growing older – from the jokes about physical discomforts, fatigue, and earlier bedtimes, to the challenges of maintaining long-term relationships and dealing with life’s stressors. There are even moments of nostalgia for our younger selves that many can relate to. It’s a refreshing portrayal of adulthood that hits close to home.

In this scenario, three established couples set aside time every quarter to reunite for a holiday. Being of upper-middle age and financially secure, they can comfortably disengage from their routines four times a year. The arrangement finds them gathering in spring, summer, autumn, and winter – sequentially as the story unfolds – providing an opportunity for Vivaldi’s celebrated violin concerti to enrich the soundtrack.

Fey portrays the character Kate, who is wedded to Jack, a passionate history instructor with a deep fascination for Napoleon’s biography; incidentally, their occupations aren’t significant in this context as they all have ample financial resources. Earlier, Jack had worked for Nick, a hedge fund manager, at his upstate New York lakehouse, which he shares with wife Anne. The initial act of this “Four Seasons” unfolds here. Danny, who attended college alongside Jack and Kate, is a skilled interior designer, married to the emotional Italian Claude, who primarily frets over Danny’s health concerns. Contrastingly, Jack has his own health worries, but they are more a product of hypochondria rather than any genuine illness.

The story starts off somewhat leisurely, causing me to question the significance of these characters, given their extensive vacation time. However, this might have been my own class bias speaking. As the narrative unfolds, events start to pick up pace. Notably, Nick announces his departure from Anne, and his replacement in their group is Ginny, a vibrant woman in her thirties who was previously one of Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls” musical characters. It’s important to note that she’s an adult, which becomes relevant later. No one explicitly uses the term “midlife crisis,” but both Nick and Ginny are keen to stress it’s not about that. And indeed, Anne, who is currently engrossed in a farm game on her iPad rather than using the potting shed with kiln that Nick built for her, seems to have lost some of her zest for life.

In the third episode (set during summer in the Bahamas), Nick’s lively romantic dance causes turmoil among the group, providing fresh topics for gossip and introspection as they navigate the following year. Ginny makes her appearance in this episode, having been treated by Nick to a stay at an uneasy vegan eco-resort, which the writers are sure to poke fun at, particularly regarding the older characters’ reactions to it. (In other words, the script will likely include jokes about veganism and the characters’ response to it.)

The story unfolds during a parents’ weekend at an New England college, where Kate, Jack, Anne, and Nick each have their daughters (Ashlyn Maddox and Julia Lester) enrolled. Earlier, Kate, Jack, and Danny were students at this very same institution. As winter arrives, they find themselves in a cozy chalet nestled amidst a snow-covered mountain. The narrative concludes with a return to their lake house for a fitting resolution.

In essence, Carell’s narrative takes center stage, and he skillfully portrays a sympathetic character without shying away from looking foolish. Contrarily, Fey, known for her roles as “SNL” headwriter, Mark Twain Prize winner, named the top comedian of the 21st century by The Guardian, four times on the Time 100 list, and People magazine’s most beautiful people, emerges as the series’ core and its primary intelligence. This role positioning somewhat limits Forte’s character, who is more notably quirky.

If you find yourself equally captivated by observing stars such as Fey, Carell, Forte, and Domingo in action, rather than merely focusing on the characters they portray, it’s certainly enjoyable to witness them. However, recognizing these actors doesn’t diminish the tension their characters generate when they interact, which is a testament to their skillful acting. (Everyone has their own set of challenges.)

Throughout the series, we’ll discover that marriage involves effort, not everyone buys into the concept of soulmates, newly formed relationships might be more active and noisy sexually compared to long-term ones, and humans have an uncanny ability to irritate each other, especially during vacations – a bittersweet twist. The couples will experience friction both internally and externally; some of their frustrations might even rub off on the audience.

However, it seems this is exactly what the storyteller aims for, and when the characters eventually become aware of each other, “The Four Seasons” can evoke deep emotions.

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2025-05-01 10:31

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