Pass the Popcorn: Revisiting ‘The Four Seasons’

August 14th, 2025

When you hear “The Four Seasons,” you might think of Vivaldi’s violin concertos, a luxury hotel chain, or the Midwest’s changing weather. But for film lovers, it may also call to mind Alan Alda’s 1981 romantic comedy.

Written, directed and starring Alda, alongside Carol Burnett, Rita Moreno, and Sandy Dennis, The Four Seasons follows three married couples whose long-standing vacation tradition is disrupted when one announces he’s divorcing his wife. The film was a box office success, later becoming a beloved classic and even sparking renewed interest in Vivaldi’s compositions featured in its score.

Now, more than 40 years later, the story has been reimagined. In May, Netflix released an eight-episode series adaptation created by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield. Much like the original, it follows three couples who have known each other for decades, played by Colman Domingo, Will Forte, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Kerri Kenney and Marco Calvani.

Each pair of episodes centers on a getaway in a different season, offering viewers more time to see the characters together — and apart. The series dives deeper into who they are behind closed doors, revealing the gap between the selves they present to the group and the people they truly are. When an unexpected event upends their traditions, the friends are forced to reexamine their relationships and navigate life’s changes.

Like its predecessor, the new Four Seasons is less about plot twists and more about the nuanced dynamics between friends, aging, and the shifting roles people play in each other’s lives. Both versions offer something relatable, perhaps even prompting viewers to reflect on their own friendships, or at least book a vacation.

The original film and the first season of the series are streaming on Netflix. A second season is slated for release in 2026.

By, Christine Burright for Pass the Popcorn on KVNO’s Arts Today