Too Far to Go

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but Fascinating Film
Review: Fact: Michael Moriarty is simply incapable of being boring---even when miscast as he is here and saddled with an absurd New England accent that makes him sound like the Stage Manager in Our Town. In spite of these factors, I found my eyes glued on him for the length of this film---ditto for Blythe Danner, an actress of equal intelligence, sensitivity, and grace who is also miscast. These two youthful performers (the film was made 24 years ago) portray middle-aged suburbanites who, despite the presence of numerous children (one college-aged who looks older than her father)seem to have nothing better to do than ask each other questions like "Have you taken a lover?" Nevertheless, there are fascinating moments here: a couple of love scenes (too short for my money), a touching scene in which the couple announce their impending divorce to their children (if only the camera had been closer to the actors' faces) and a brief but delightful scene with Glenn Close--who looks about 18--making eyes at Mr. Moriarty.

Rating:
Summary: Flawed but Fascinating Film
Review: Fact: Michael Moriarty is simply incapable of being boring---even when miscast as he is here and saddled with an absurd New England accent that makes him sound like the Stage Manager in Our Town. In spite of these factors, I found my eyes glued on him for the length of this film---ditto for Blythe Danner, an actress of equal intelligence, sensitivity, and grace who is also miscast. These two youthful performers (the film was made 24 years ago) portray middle-aged suburbanites who, despite the presence of numerous children (one college-aged who looks older than her father)seem to have nothing better to do than ask each other questions like "Have you taken a lover?" Nevertheless, there are fascinating moments here: a couple of love scenes (too short for my money), a touching scene in which the couple announce their impending divorce to their children (if only the camera had been closer to the actors' faces) and a brief but delightful scene with Glenn Close--who looks about 18--making eyes at Mr. Moriarty.

Rating:
Summary: A Tale of Woes; Will They Get Back Together Again? Hope So!!
Review: What do you think of "Too Far To Go" that's about a 20-year marriage splitting up because of their mutual soft-spoken stupidity and cruelty to each other (mostly from her to him?)! Just "too far to go" to reach across to each other. The story held my interest. I kept hoping they would recommit to their marriage. The ending was nice; had you thinking "well maybe", if they each grew up first.

This movie was made in 1978; it's summertime; scenery pleasant. This is a marriage set in the late '50s or '60s). The story was full of "come to me" and "go away", so the viewer is always hoping and groaning for Richard and Joan. You wanted to shake them yell "wake up and be nice to each other again."

What beautiful actors these two were. Joan Maple (Blythe Danner)is so slim and pretty, but cruel in the way she casually torments her husband, Richard (37-year old actor, pretty-boyish faced, Michael Moriarty, playing a husband in his mid-40s). (Ever wish the English language had words that meant masculine beauty?) Richard needed less compulsiveness too. Michael Moriarty was so good playing this seemingly vulnerable, basically uncomplicated, "what's happening to my world" man. In the story, Richard and Joan are missing each other constantly by not tuning in to each other.

I thought it was sweet and very effective to have the flash back scenes during their marriage. Just change the actor's hair, and Richard was 20-years younger man again with that smooth face and boyish grin. In one flash back of their wedding, Joan says, "You didn't kiss me." Nice story; intersting ending! As the judge said after verifying their signatures, "Well then, good luck to you." AND then, Richard forgets "too far to go" and slowly and timidly leans toward Joan to kiss her this time. A neat place and way to end the movie. Truly makes you hope they might have a good chance to "live happily ever after ..."