You’ll Never Believe What Netflix’s ‘The Four Seasons’ Originally Was!

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On May 1, 2025, the Netflix premiere of “The Four Seasons” might give off a vibe that it’s an expensive, high-profile replica of “The White Lotus,” but it’s actually a TV adaptation of the 1981 film with the same title. Written, directed by, and starring Alan Alda, the original 1981 movie “The Four Seasons” is a poignant exploration of three middle-aged couples dealing with marriage and family dynamics while enjoying four seasonal vacations.

If you appreciate the opulent settings of The Four Seasons Hotel and Resort chain depicted in Netflix, you might also enjoy the movie that serves as its inspiration, as it follows a similar narrative. In this film, four vacations take place at different locations where three couples engage in rest, relaxation, flirting, and arguing amidst their intricate relationships. The TV series takes a similar approach, focusing on a couple’s infidelity and the development of a relationship with a significantly younger partner. Therefore, fans of The Four Seasons on Netflix may find the movie that inspired it to be an engaging watch.

‘The Four Seasons’ (1981) Follows Three Couples

In a four-part layout, Alan Alda took charge as both writer and director while also starring in the 1981 successful movie titled “The Four Seasons.” Earning more than $50 million at the box office on an initial investment of $6.5 million (as reported by Box Office Mojo), this film revolves around three sets of couples who gather for a getaway each season, aiming to resolve their long-standing marital issues.

The married pairs consist of lawyer Jack Alda and magazine editor Kate Burroughs (portrayed by Carol Burnett), insurance salesman Nick (Len Cariou) and budding photographer Anne Callan (Sandy Dennis), and dentist Danny (Jack Weston) and artist Claudia Zimmer (Rita Moreno). As they navigate their marital issues, including divorce, separation, and recurring unfaithfulness, these challenges profoundly impact their children. This emotional turbulence resonates and influences the family dynamics as a whole.

During the spring season, a group of companions venture off to the forest for a well-deserved break. Nick confides in Jack that he’s feeling unsatisfied and intends to separate from Anne. Jack shares this information with Kate, who voices worry about Anne’s emotional state.

During summertime, the friends go on holiday to St. Thomas. It is discovered there that Nick has ended his marriage with Anne and started seeing a younger woman named Ginny Newly (played by Bess Armstrong). The Zimmers and Burroughs disapprove of Ginny and are upset about what happened to Anne, which strains their relationship with Nick. In the fall, they embark on a road trip to Connecticut to see Beth Burroughs (Elizabeth Alda) and Lisa Callan (Beatrice Alda), two of their children. The women encounter a sad Anne, who is visiting Lisa at school. Upon learning that Beth and Lisa have drifted apart, the group realizes that the turmoil in their marriages has affected their children’s emotional well-being.

During winter, an alarming incident at a ski resort necessitates the friends to collaborate in ways intended for mending their friendship, thereby prolonging another round of seasonal getaways. The movie’s circular narrative leaves room for viewers to infer events across seasons, making it particularly engaging and encouraging discussions about real-world family matters among adults. Essentially, it’s a film that captures the essence of humanity.

How Netflix’s ‘The Four Seasons’ Updates the Film

Netflix’s “The Four Seasons” is an eight-episode miniseries crafted by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield. This series expands on the original storyline from the 1981 Alan Alda film, providing ample space to unfold the intricate plot. Essentially, it follows the same characters but sets their seasonal getaways around the Burroughs, Callans, and Zimmers families.

In this reinterpretation, former Saturday Night Live stars Tina Fey and Will Forte portray characters Jack and Kate, while Steve Carell and Kerri Kenney take on the roles of Nick and Anne. Colman Domingo plays Danny, with his partner’s character being updated from Claudia to Claude (Marco Calvani). This revised couple serves to modernize the narrative and delve into the theme of same-sex marriage. Alan Alda makes a guest appearance in an episode as a man named Don.

In the 1981 movie titled “The Four Seasons”, we delve into the indirect emotional harm suffered by the three sets of children from the married couples and their lessons in shaping their own intimate connections. The kids, like their on-screen counterparts, have roles assigned: Ashlyn Maddox portrays Beth, while the character Lisa transforms to Lila, played by Julia Lester. Erika Henningsen takes on the role of Ginny.

The Netflix adaptation delves into the challenges of current-day parenthood in a technologically advanced world, where kids are often engrossed in their smartphones and may need frequent supervision. Meanwhile, longtime friends, now grown adults, candidly discuss their contentment or lack thereof while leaning on each other as much as they confront the raw truths of their platonic and marital relationships.

In contrast to Alda and Burnett’s legendary comedic roles in their respective shows, the Netflix adaptation of “Alda’s comedy” seems to focus more on the humorous aspects of marriage and parenthood. The series boasts a talented cast led by Fey, Forte, and Carell, all known for their comic skills. Multiple directors are involved in this project, including Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (known for “American Splendor”), Lang Fisher (“Never Have I Ever”), Oz Rodriguez (“Vampire vs. the Bronx”), and Colman Domingo (“Fear the Walking Dead”). The Netflix adaptation is expected to showcase more dynamic and energetic cinematography than the original film, a criticism that Alda faced in 1981.

Despite receiving acclaim for its characters, plot, backdrop, and thought-provoking portrayal of complex adult relationships, the film drew criticism for its uninspiring visual presentation characterized by ordinary camera techniques.

Why Fans of Netflix’s ‘The Four Seasons’ Should Watch the Film

People drawn to Netflix’s 2025 adaptation of “The Four Seasons” will probably be attracted by its deep exploration of mature marital themes concerning older adults coping with life’s later stages. In truth, tales such as this are seldom found in Hollywood, where ageism persists and limits the chances for actors considered to have passed their peak.

As a fan, I can’t help but be thrilled about the Netflix remake of Alda’s “The Four Seasons.” In Siskel & Ebert’s glowing review, they praised its rarity for featuring adults in their 40s on screen. What makes this reboot even more intriguing is that it delves into the lives of adults in their 50s and the profound impact their parenting has had on their children throughout their adult years.

However, the series doesn’t just focus on family dynamics; it also shines a light on the strong bond between three couples and how they influence each other to reassess their own lives. The exploration of marriage, parenthood, and friendship is woven together seamlessly, creating a thought-provoking narrative that leaves viewers contemplating their own journeys.

In a humorous vein, The Four Seasons bears resemblance to another Alan Alda hotel-centered dramedy, the 1978 adaptation of Neil Simon’s California Suite. This film follows four pairs of vacationers at the lavish Beverly Hills Hotel, featuring Alda and Jane Fonda in an exceptional scene about a New York couple going through divorce, its emotional impact on them and their daughter. It is clear that Alda drew inspiration from his experience with California Suite to craft a similar narrative for The Four Seasons.

Following up Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite” from 1971, the comedy-drama titled “California Suite” offers a similar premise. It focuses on three New York couples whose vacation turns out to be anything but tranquil. As “The Four Seasons” is currently unavailable for streaming or renting, it’s advisable to watch “California Suite” on platforms like Apple TV and Prime Video instead. In case you’re looking ahead, remember that “The Four Seasons (2025)” can be streamed on Netflix.

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2025-05-03 21:36