Alan Alda, a celebrated actor and filmmaker, stands out as one of Hollywood’s first prominent male feminists. His advocacy for gender equality was evident in various projects, including his campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment. Alda also contributed to the iconic gender-equality album Free to Be … You and Me, where he collaborated with Marlo Thomas. Together, they narrate the story of Atalanta, a retold Greek myth featuring a legendary huntress who challenges a male suitor to a footrace, ultimately crossing the finish line alongside him. Alda's commitment to speaking out on what were then termed women’s issues earned him the title of “the quintessential Honorary Woman” from the Boston Globe.
In 1981, Alda wrote, directed, and starred in the film The Four Seasons, a bittersweet comedy that explores midlife marital crises. Recently, this classic has been remade into a new Netflix miniseries. The original film centers around three long-married couples, portrayed by Alda and Carol Burnett, Jack Weston and Rita Moreno, and Len Cariou and Sandy Dennis, who gather for a weekend getaway to celebrate a wedding anniversary. However, the narrative takes a dark turn when Nick (played by Cariou) confesses to Jack (Alda) that he is about to leave his wife, Anne (Dennis), because he feels she is “inert” and does nothing with her life.
Nick’s characterization presents him as self-centered and boorish, more focused on his new lease on life with a younger girlfriend than on the emotional fallout left for his friends. The portrayal of Anne, however, raises eyebrows; her character is depicted as almost nonfunctional and disconnected from reality, to the point where her husband’s complaints about her interests seem justified. Critics, like Janet Maslin in her New York Times review, noted that Nick tires of Anne as quickly as the audience does, highlighting the film's troubling undercurrents of misogyny.
Both versions of The Four Seasons depict marriage as a marathon rather than a sprint. When Nick reveals his intention to leave Anne, Jack argues that all relationships endure ups and downs. However, the film hastily sidelines Anne, allowing Jack's newfound love interest to stir doubts among the still-married couples. Jack, a therapist, struggles with his own feelings while encouraging his friends to express theirs, ultimately culminating in a dramatic outburst that reflects the film's emotional volatility. Some critics suggest that Jack and Kate’s relationship mirrors Alda’s long and successful marriage to Arlene Alda.
The Netflix adaptation of The Four Seasons features Alda in a cameo role as Anne’s father, offering comedic wisdom about keeping the spark alive in marriage. This eight-episode series, created by Lang Fisher, Tracey Wigfield, and Tina Fey, brings a fresh perspective to the original story while incorporating more overt comedic elements. The characters, played by notable actors like Steve Carell and Kerri Kenney-Silver, navigate their own discomfort and relationship challenges, with the breakup of Nick and Anne serving as a central catalyst.
In this updated version, Anne's humiliation is more pronounced, occurring during a surprise vow-renewal ceremony orchestrated by her. As the narrative progresses, Anne becomes a more relatable character rather than a mere plot device. Unlike her predecessor, this Anne actively seeks to rediscover herself and ultimately finds a new boyfriend, illustrating a significant character arc. The new series also broadens its exploration of each character, ensuring that no one feels sidelined, even characters like Ginny emerge with their own storylines.
The remake of The Four Seasons delves deeper into the complexities of marriage and midlife relationships, showcasing characters who grapple with aging and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. The dynamic between Fey and Forte adds a new layer to the story, portraying a marriage filled with tenderness and tension. This modernization of Alda's classic not only honors the original but also reflects contemporary themes of self-discovery and the importance of maintaining vibrant relationships as we navigate life's challenges.
