The Four Seasons (1981)

 

Three couples vacation together every season. After one divorces, feelings of betrayal and more spawn criticisms of each other. But the things that keep them together are stronger than those which otherwise might pull them apart.

From memory: Mildly amusing romantic comedy is centered on the vagaries of mid-life marriage; good cast and interesting premise, but otherwise not very exciting.

Halliwell**: "Rueful sexual comedy which maintains considerable momentum and actually makes us laugh at its sympathetic characters."

Maltin***: "As comedy it scores, with warmly winning cast, but like its main character, it prfesses to discuss serious issues while pulling back after just touching the surface." 

 

Califormia Suite (1978)

 

Misadventures of four groups of guests at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

From memory: Similar to the previous Plaza Suite (1971), but set in L.A. instead of N.Y.C., this episodic comedy is fast-paced and witty, with some good performances, especially by Jane Fonda, but otherwise it's not much more than some simple entertainment.

Halliwell*: "Two hits, two misses; closer intercutting might have helped. No doubt that Maggie Smith and Michael Caine come off best, with bitcheries about the Academy Awards."

Maltin***: "Oscar-winning Smith and husband Caine...come off best; Pryor and Cosby...are the worst. Pleasant time-filler..." 

Marriage Story (2019)

A marriage breaking up and a family staying together.

Excellent and realistic separation drama analyzes the back and forth of a divorce and emphasizes how the legal procedure actually boosts and preys on the split; superb cast throughout, but Laura Dern is absolutely amazing.