

Marion is a woman who has learned to shield herself from her emotions. She rents an apartment to work undisturbed on her new book, but by some acoustic anomaly she can hear all that is said in the next apartment in which a psychiatrist holds his office. When she hears a young woman tell that she finds it harder and harder to bear her life, Marion starts to reflect on her own life. After a series of events she comes to understand how her unemotional attitude towards the people around her affected them and herself.
Acting
Gena Rowlands' face does what the script cannot say.
Direction
Woody Allen doing Ingmar Bergman with a straight face.
Writing
Philosophy majors will feel seen and attacked.

Director
Woody Allen
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Allen explicitly conceived this as his 'Bergman film'—even shooting in similar muted tones and casting Swedish cinematographer Sven Nykvist, Ingmar's longtime collaborator.
The 'acoustic anomaly' premise was inspired by Allen's own experience in a New York apartment where he could hear his neighbor's therapy sessions. He took notes.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters