Along with Annie Hall, Crimes and Misdemeanours, Manhattan and Hannah and Her Sisters(probably some rather clichéd choices) Husbands and Wives is one of Woody Allen's best. Allen is not for all tastes but his films have always had some interest value and mostly they are very well written and acted. Husbands and Wives certainly has those. The hand-held camera work may put some people off, especially compared to visual beauties like Hannah and Her Sisters and Manhattan. Not for me it didn't, the use of it was quite clever and while extensive it wasn't overkill or seizure-inducing(and this is coming from somebody with epilepsy). Stylistically also it came across as intentional, to convey the character's thoughts and neuroses. Allen directs with no problem, and his performance in the film too has degrees of bitterness but also one of his most reserved and honest. In fact, apart from Juliette Lewis who is annoying(the only thing about the film that didn't quite work for me, but considering how outstanding everything else was she wasn't enough to completely rock the boat) the acting is superb, particularly from Sydney Pollack and Judy Davis. Mia Farrow gives a heartfelt performance too. Husbands and Wives is a superbly written film, it does have a fair bit of Allen's razor sharp wit and plenty of well- thought out observations conveyed bluntly. But few Allen films are this candid, and the documentary-style that the film adopts allows the candour to come through and resonate in a very rich and vigorous way. The themes and relationships explored in Husbands and Wives are ones that any married couple or pretty much anybody will relate to(the Pollack and Davis storyline is the most poignant and insightful). Some of what is shown is very unpleasant and the characters are not likable ones at all, but to be honest it's absolutely like that in real life, it just goes to show how much the truth can hurt. It really is one of Allen's most relatable films, Hannah and Her Sisters I also related to strongly but in a different way, being warmer in tone and slightly more multi-layered(that's not to knock Husbands and Wives at all in that regard as it certainly is that). Overall, some of what is shown is unpleasant but it is a remarkably candid film with superb writing and acting that a lot of people can relate to. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Gabe (Woody Allen) and Judy Roth (Mia Farrow) are shocked when their couple friends Jack (Sydney Pollack) and Sally (Judy Davis) announce that they're splitting up. Jack has a young girlfriend Sam (Lysette Anthony). Judy convinces Sally to go out with her colleague Michael Gates (Liam Neeson). Judy is actually attracted to him. Jack gets jealous of Michael and breaks up with Sam. Meanwhile Gabe develops a close relationship with one of his students Rain (Juliette Lewis). She's a free spirit and they are on the edge of something inappropriate.

Woody Allen is doing this in shaky documentary style including an unseen filmmaker interviewing the characters. It adds something compelling to these stories. The characters jump out of the screen. It's a fascinating look at relationships and secret desires. Nothing is ever as good as these people want or pine for.

Apparently, the same couples have been enjoying each other's company for some time, so when on of them announces their impending separation, everything gets thrown into a loop. What follows is a sort of cloud of uncertainty, foisted on everyone. There are split ups and reconnections, anger and fear, and all the things one would suspect. What is at the foundation, however, is suspicion and unhappiness. The characters can't go home again, even if they do. This is a darker Woody Allen film with resolutions that are not very satisfying. But they are psychologically sound.