Always, (But Not Forever...)

"'ALWAYS,' (BUT NOT FOREVER) IS THE FILM WOODY ALLEN WOULD HAVE MADE IF HE HAD THE GUTS!"

-Michael Blowen, Boston Globe

"ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE THERE'S A MOVIE THAT YOU NOT ONLY RECOMMEND, CRITIQUE, ETC., BUT THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR FRIENDS TO SEE - I MEAN TAKE THEM YOURSELF, PRACTICALLY BY THE HAND, BECAUSE YOU WANT NOT ONLY TO HEAR BUT TO FEEL THEIR REACTIONS, SITTING IN THE NEXT SEAT, WATCHING THEM AS MUCH AS THE MOVIE. HENRY JAGLOM'S 'ALWAYS' IS THAT KIND OF MOVIE FOR ME. I WANT ALL MY FRIENDS TO SEE IT. AND ALL MY COUSINS. AND MY SISTER AND BROTHERS. EVEN MY PARENTS. AND MY FRIENDS AGAIN - FRIENDS SHOULD SEE IT TWICE. SUBTITLED 'A FILM ABOUT LOVE, MARRIAGE, AND DIVORCE,' 'ALWAYS' BRILLIANTLY GOES TO THE HEART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF THAT TWO-HEADED DOG WE CALL A COUPLE. THREE COUPLES - ONE ABOUT TO GET DIVORCED, ONE ABOUT TO GET MARRIED, AND ONE 'SOLIDLY' MARRIED - SPEND THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND TOGETHER, NEVER LEAVING THE HOUSE AND GARDEN OF THE COUPLE ABOUT TO BE DIVORCED. THAT COUPLE IS PLAYED BY HENRY JAGLOM AND HIS EX-WIFE PATRICE TOWNSEND, WITH A NAKEDNESS AND A PRECISION OF PERFORMANCE THAT UTTERLY DISSOLVE ANY BARRIER BETWEEN THE VIEWER AND THE FILM. YOU'RE SPENDING THE WEEKEND WITH THEM, AND IT'S QUITE A HAIRY TIME - VERY FUNNY, EMBARRASSING, SCARY, CHALLENGING, SILLY, PROFOUND, AND ABOVE ALL ALIVE. MOST FILMS TRY TO MAKE YOU HAPPY BY CHEERING YOU UP; 'ALWAYS' TRIES TO MAKE HAPPINESS POSSIBLE BY TELLING THE TRUTH!"

-Michael Ventura, L.A. Weekly

SYNOPSIS:

David and Judy (Henry Jaglom and Patrice Townsend) have been separated for two years. When she shows up at David’s to sign the divorce papers, he tricks her into staying the night with hope of a reconciliation. They are joined for Fourth of July weekend by two other couples. What ensues is an exploration of happiness, sadness, marriage, divorce, chocolate baths...and happy endings.

Cast:


Henry Jaglom, Patrice Townsend, Joanna Frank, Jonathan Kaufer, André Gregory and Bob Rafelson. Introducing Alan Rachins and Melissa Leo.

1985 105 min. Color R