Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice
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Movie Reviews of Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice
Movie Review: A Hip Sendup of the Sexual Revolution
Summary: 4 Stars
"Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" is an insightful film about the sexual revolution.It deals with two couples -- one older and into "experimentation" (Bob & Carol), and the other younger and more square (Ted & Alice).
In a sense, the sexual experimentation of Bob and Carol epitomized the 60's ethos of (perhaps pathological) self-reflection and the idea that "if it feels good, do it." (We're still feeling the reverberations of that.)
But the ending of this enjoyably funny movie also indicates that most people can only go so far. Whether its cultural conditioning or innate, there are certain lines that most people simply cannot cross....
The movie does not pass judgment, but ultimately, there is a message there.
All the actors are good, but Elliot Gould and Dyan Cannon especially so. (They were both nominated for supporting Oscars.) Dyan Cannon is wonderful -- she's the best thing about the movie.
Movie Review: sexual revolution
Summary: 4 Stars
I watched this movie on local television in the UK a couple of weeks ago, turning it on a half hour or so into it.Once I got past the shallow critique of hair styles and clothing I was able to consider what was happening socially in the US during the late 60s when this movie was conceived/filmed.
I was only 3 when the movie was released but I imagine it was significant for adults at that time. Society was much more open/liberal re: sexuality and the challenging of stereotypes, such as the long-standing double standards afforded to men.
My '4 star' review may be slightly high, but what motivates me to do so has more to do with the subject this movie takes on, its willingness to challenge the status quo and collective consciousness of the public at that time, as well as the honesty in which it's delivered.
The final scene is hardly climactic compared with the latest Bond film but, like much of the film, there's an authentic message there.
Movie Review: Ill-conceived
Summary: 2 Stars
"Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice" is widely applauded as a breakthrough film, but lets cut through the hype. First what Leonard Maltin calls "ultrasophisticated" is more an exposure of his own dimwittedness than a film commentary. 2 couples seek enlightenment and think they found the key: just have an affair and tell your partner about it...is that really the extent to which enlightenment was explored in the '60s? Such is the main flaw; 2 couples are sincere about transcending middle class limitation, but group encounter sessions do not "insight" make. Robert Culp and Natalie Wood play the couple who think affair+honesty=enlightenment. As Horst observes, Culp is one hellofaguy. I wish Natalie Wood's husband would let me have her...I'd think he was a nice guy too. What would have made this film good is if at the end they decided to go to India and seek true enlightenment.
On the bright side we have '60s fashions and good Bacharach music...and the beautiful Natalie Wood. The final scene "Love Sweet Love" is an interesting ending to an otherwise disappointing film.
Movie Review: Not just a camp send-up!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I see I'm going to have to stand up for this film!This is an
incredibly insightful look at the sexual revolution, filmed even as
the changes happening in our society were still developing!!!
Two
couples struggle with the concept of fulfillment. Treating their each
and every desire for temporal pleasure as an entitlement, they come
face to face with their personal limits, and the dehumanizing aspects
of hedonism.
The end is more evocotive then Leonard Maltin ... would
have you believe.
All of them have woken up (in the evening) to
their collective morning after. They are in the elevator coming down
from their "trip." They are shellshocked. The music
swells..."what the world needs now is love sweet
love."
Love. The part of the equation they had forgotten to
account for.
They exit the elevator and walk out into the Vegas
night. Peoplo from all over the world have come to the same place,
are struggling with the same issues, trying to find someway of making
contact with each other.
Maybe I'm just an old hippie. Maybe it is
pretentious. I also know it is the film truest to that time and what
happened to that generation.
Movie Review: What the World Needs Now Is This Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Just two words to describe this pseudo-psychological Bacharachian suburban idyll: Groo-vy, Ba-by! Caftans and chablis galore. Jumper-clad couples "explore." The Las Vegas "trip" ain't a bore. Who could ask for anything more? How about a really "pretentious ending" - a perfect capper to this penultimate time capsule. It's "The Ice Storm" on Space Food Sticks.