Husbands and Wives is one of Woody Allen's more interesting films, taking his usual themes and presenting with a new style. The concept should be very familer to the director's fans: the romatic intrigues of two married couples, with the seemingly stable marridge of Gabe and Judy (Woody Allen and Mia Farrow) and the just broken up pair of Jack and Sally (Sydney Pollack and Judy Davis). What alters the film from Allen's typical technique is that it is shot in documentary style, with shaky, handheld camera work, choppy cutting and interviews with the film's characters.
This technique means that unlike most Allen's films, he does not editoralize as much as observe and report. We see what happens and the interviewer asks questions, but the character's accoutns are unreliable, we don't know what they are really thinking what the true analsis of the situation is. The fact that the characters themeseleves are often unsure what of what they want adds to the confusion.
In a way, this techique is both the movie's strength and its weakness. It adds an extra level originality, but means that we never get involved with the characters as much we do in other movies. This does not mean that the film is totally cerebral and detached. I particurlarly got involved in the plight of Micheal (Liam Neeson), is put in awkward situation after awkward situation. Like the other characters, he doesn't know what he really wants, but is a little better at dealing with it and making choices.
I would not say that this a top rate Woody Allen film on the level of Annie Hall or Interiors, but I would probably say that it's at the top of the second tier. It's one of his most unique and atypical, and certainly worth a look.
Husbands and Wives (1992)