Double Solitaire (1974)

When his parents (Irene Tedrow, Norman Foster) plan a celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, a couple (Richard Crenna, Susan Clark) reflect on the emptiness of their own marriage as their 25th anniversary approaches. Based on the play by Robert Anderson (TEA AND SYMPATHY) and directed by Paul Bogart (TORCH SONG TRILOGY). Since this is a filmed play, this is a talking heads piece. Unfortunately, Anderson's dialog isn't insightful enough or witty enough to prevent this from being anything more than a garrulous anti-marriage diatribe. Perhaps it wasn't Anderson's intent to be anti marriage but from the pain, misery and antipathy we see in these characters' lives, it seems a miserable existence! On the plus side, the acting is quite good considering the long dreary speeches the actors are saddled with. It might have worked more effectively on the stage but Anderson's play lasted only a month on Broadway in 1971 which suggests it didn't work well there either. With Norma Crane, Harold Gould and Nicholas Hammond.