Separate Ways (1981)

Absolutely Brilliant!

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The Plot. A wife unhappy in her marriage begins an affair with an art student, unaware that her husband, a race driver, is also having an affair.Yikes. Crazy Karen Black stars in what appears to be a TV movie but it's not. It's just directed that way. Cheaply.Black still had a good body when this was made. She must have been a firecracker in bed during her prime.Alas, Black's enormous jugs do not a movie make and soon you will be bored out of your mind. This happens about 19 minutes in.

I came across this movie looking through a list of films that Robert Fuller was in. A review of the cast list, and the basic scenario; and the fact that I could watch it on Amazon Prime made it an easy decision to give it a look. I enjoyed where the movie tried to go in telling a story of a couple dealing with infidelity. I thought there was good character development with the Colby's but I did wonder about the chemistry between Tony LoBianco and Karen Black; for all the nudity, the closed lip kisses seemed out of place. My only quip would be that I would have liked to see at least one scene that solidified the fact Ken and Woody were best friends; I, as a viewer was told this through casual conversation in the movie, but the movie didn't really show me that bond on screen. It also felt more like a made for TV movie sprinkled with nudity. That aside, I liked it.

Karen Black and Tony LoBianco star as a couple having marital difficulties. Will they be able to pull it together for their son? I came across this film as a part of a DVD collection of thrillers. Why it was included is beyond me since its not really a thriller rather its a domestic drama. That said its not a bad one. On some level I kept thinking that perhaps it was little more than a bumped up TV movie with some nudity and some foul language, however as time went on it kind of won me over and I actually wanted to see how it came.Far from the best film out there it is rather enjoyable on its own terms and is the sort of thing you won't mind watching if you are stuck watching it.

Vain, neglectful former race car driver turned automobile dealership owner Ken Colby (a fine portrayal by Tony Lo Bianco) and his sweet, but fed-up wife Valentine (a marvelously warm and appealing performance by Karen Black) are having marital problems. Not only does Ken have his hands full with his faltering business, but he's also having an affair with fetching co-worker Sheila (lovely Katherine Justice). When Valentine discovers Ken's infidelity, she has a fling of her own with nice, decent college student Jerry Lansing (the always affable David Naughton). This tasteful and thoughtful feature represents a radical departure for director Howard Avedis, who usually made such enjoyably trashy exploitation fare as "The Teacher," "Texas Detour," and "They're Playing With Fire." Avedis eschews his standard gleeful wallowing in the sleaze to offer instead an observant and compelling portrait of the difficulty found in sustaining a romantic relationship throughout the years and the severe toll a lack of open communication can have on said relationship. The uniformly excellent cast play their well-drawn and engaging true-to-life characters with commendable conviction: Lo Bianco and Black do stellar work in the lead roles (Black in particular is a total delight and looks absolutely gorgeous), with sturdy support from Arlene Golonka as Valentine's loyal, supportive best gal pal Annie Donahue, Sharon Farrell as Valentine's perky friend Karen Haskell, William Windom as Ken's excitable business partner Huey Block, Noah Hathaway as the Colby's darling son Jason, and Jack Carter as jolly bar owner Barney Brodsky. Both Dean Cundey's slick cinematography and the jazzy, tuneful score by John Cacavas and Bonnie Becker are up to speed. A poignant little dramatic sleeper.