PAUL MAZURSKY

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BB. 

USA, 1982.  Columbia Pictures Corporation.  Screenplay by Paul Mazursky, Leon Capetanos, based on the play by William Shakespeare.  Cinematography by Donald McAlpine.  Produced by Paul Mazursky.  Music by Stomu Yamashta.  Production Design by Pato Guzman.  Costume Design by Albert Wolsky.  Film Editing by Donn Cambern.  

Bloated, self-important near-adaptation of Shakespeare’s play in a modern setting, with John Cassavetes as an architect who has disturbing, prophetic dreams about his family. Fed up with his difficult home life with his wife (Gena Rowlands) and sick of his job working as an architect for a ruthless millionaire (Vittorio Gassman), Cassavetes books it to Greece with his sixteen year-old daughter (Molly Ringwald), meets a beautiful young woman (Susan Sarandon) with whom he begins a chaste affair, and the three of them live on a beautiful secluded island with no one but a local madman (Raul Julia) for company. They spend a year in isolation, the girls going crazy while Cassavetes thrives on the detachment, until they are found by their friends and family and made to decide whether or not they are ready to re-enter the world. Director Paul Mazursky (who also has a small bit role) offers no interesting character development or dramatic resolution in this meandering, overlong film, only a plot that goes on and on until the abrupt ending. Photography of Greece is lovely and the performances are all outstanding, but there is nothing interesting enough to hold your attention for two and a half hours.

Golden Globe Award Nomination:  Best Supporting Actor (Raul Julia); New Star of the Year-Female (Molly Ringwald)

Venice Film Festival:  In Competition