same time, next year (mulligan, 1978)

This has wonderful performances by Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn, but really hits the mark thanks to Mulligan's effortlessly graceful touch. Mulligan was one of the last and best classical stylists, and this "stagey" movie from 1978 has more in common with Summer of '42 and The Man in the Moon than its reputation lets on. Just look at the exteriors, which prove that it's all right for moviemakers to push a stage piece "out of doors" for no justifiable narrative reason, because one of the best reasons of all is to revel in the gorgeous, heavenly colors and expressive compositions of a Mulligan/Surtees collaboration!