Watch Tempest

Tempest is a 1982 romantic comedy-drama directed by Paul Mazursky. Starring John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, and Susan Sarandon, the film is a modern retelling of William Shakespeare's play The Tempest, set in the streets of New York City. The film follows Phillip Dimitrius (John Cassavetes), a successful and wealthy architect who decides to take a sabbatical from his hectic life and travels to Greece on a yacht with his teenage daughter, Miranda (Molly Ringwald), and a friend, Donald (Raul Julia). While in Greece, Phillip meets Alexis (Gena Rowlands), a free-spirited singer and dancer, and they fall deeply in love.

When they return to New York, Phillip hires Alexis to perform in his new avant-garde play, which is based on Shakespeare's The Tempest. However, their relationship is soon threatened by jealousy and insecurities. Phillip struggles with the age difference between him and Alexis, as well as his fear of losing her to younger men. Meanwhile, Miranda starts to explore her own sexuality and falls in love with a young street artist named Prince (Oscar-nominated actor Vittorio Gassman).

As the play begins to take shape, the lines between reality and fiction blur, and the characters' personal lives begin to mirror the story of The Tempest. Phillip's ex-wife, Antonia (Susan Sarandon), comes back into his life and tries to win him back, just like Prospero's brother, Antonio, tries to overthrow him in the play. Miranda and Prince face their own obstacles, just like the characters of Ferdinand and Miranda in the original play.

The film explores themes of love, loss, and aging. As Phillip struggles with mortality and feeling emasculated by Alexis's youth, Alexis grapples with the realization that she may prefer a life of freedom and artistic expression to settling down with a wealthy man. Miranda and Prince's young love serves as a reminder that life goes on and that love can still be pure and innocent, even in the midst of drama and chaos.

The cinematography of the film is stunning, with breathtaking shots of the Greek islands and the New York City skyline. The soundtrack features a mix of classical music and popular hits of the 1980s, including songs by The Police and The Eurythmics. The actors give phenomenal performances, particularly Cassavetes and Rowlands, who were real-life spouses and frequent collaborators.

In conclusion, Tempest is a thought-provoking and romantic film that adeptly weaves together Shakespearean themes with modern-day concerns. It's a must-see for fans of Cassavetes and Rowlands, as well as anyone who enjoys a good love story with a twist.

Tempest is a 1982 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.