A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy
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Name	A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy
Director	Woody Allen
Producer	Robert Greenhut
Writer	Woody Allen
Starring	Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, José Ferrer, Julie Hagerty, Tony Roberts, Mary Steenburgen
Music	Felix Mendelssohn
Cinematography	Gordon Willis
Editing	Susan E. Morse
Studio	Orion Pictures
Released	1982
Runtime	88 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy is a 1982 American comedy film written and directed by Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, José Ferrer, Julie Hagerty, Tony Roberts, and Mary Steenburgen. The film is set in the early 20th century and features a cast of characters, including Andrew Hobbs, a Wallace Shawn-like character, and Adrian, a Diane Keaton-esque character, who gather at a country estate in New York for a weekend getaway. The story is loosely based on Ingmar Bergman's Smiles of a Summer Night, and features a mix of romance, comedy, and fantasy elements, similar to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest.

Plot

The plot of the film revolves around the relationships and misadventures of the characters, including Andrew Hobbs, a philosopher and inventor who is hosting the weekend gathering, and his wife, Adrian, who is having an affair with Dr. Maxwell Jordan, a psychiatrist and friend of the family. The story also features a magician named Leopold, who is played by José Ferrer, and a nurse named Dulcy, who is played by Julie Hagerty. As the weekend progresses, the characters become embroiled in a series of romantic entanglements and misadventures, including a chase scene through the woods and a magical ritual that goes awry. The film features a mix of slapstick comedy and witty dialogue, similar to the films of Ernst Lubitsch and Billy Wilder.

Production

The film was produced by Robert Greenhut and Charles H. Joffe, and features a score by Felix Mendelssohn. The film was shot on location in New York and Connecticut, and features a mix of period costumes and production design, similar to the films of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. The film's cinematography was handled by Gordon Willis, who also worked on The Godfather and Annie Hall. The film's editing was handled by Susan E. Morse, who also worked on Hannah and Her Sisters and Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Cast

The cast of the film includes Woody Allen as Andrew Hobbs, Mia Farrow as Ariel, José Ferrer as Leopold, Julie Hagerty as Dulcy, Tony Roberts as Dr. Maxwell Jordan, and Mary Steenburgen as Adrian. The cast also features Matthias Hues as a young lover and Kate McGregor-Stewart as a housekeeper. The film features a mix of established stars and up-and-coming actors, similar to the films of Robert Altman and Nashville.

Release

The film was released in 1982 by Orion Pictures, and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, who praised the film's wit and charm. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $10 million at the box office. The film has since become a cult classic, and is widely regarded as one of Woody Allen's best films, along with Annie Hall and Manhattan.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics praising the film's wit and charm. The film holds a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 22 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The film also received several award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film has since been recognized as one of the greatest films of all time by film critics and organizations, including the American Film Institute and the Library of Congress. The film's influence can be seen in the work of filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson, who have cited Woody Allen as a major influence. Category:1982 films