A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy

During a sunlit summer weekend at a grand country house that seems to hum with possibility, a quirky inventor named Andrew and his restless wife Ariel welcome a philosopher cousin, his young fiancée, a flirtatious doctor, and a free thinking nurse. The ensemble bounces between flirtations and pratfalls as misread signals and mistaken identities jostle their affairs. The house itself feels almost enchanted, blurring lines between fantasy and reality as the characters chase romance, ego, and insight. The group has a brisk, witty rhythm as they contend with desire, social convention, and a hint of the magical in their sunlit retreat. Laughter comes from the mismatches, misread signals, and sly wordplay as the house seems to respond to their antics.

Directed by Woody Allen, the film released in 1982 features Allen opposite Mia Farrow, José Ferrer, Julie Hagerty and Tony Roberts. It is an original screenplay by Allen rather than an adaptation, reflecting his ongoing experimentation with ensemble farce today.

Box office figures place the film at about 9.1 million worldwide, a modest return by early 80s standards and within Woody Allen's range of intimate comedies that performed reliably in urban markets. It enjoyed steady releases in arthouse theaters worldwide.

Though not a cultural milestone, the film nods to Shakespeare and highlights Allen's fascination with romantic farce and social performance. The sun drenched country setting and rapid dialogue became a recognizable note in his 1980s cinema. That same spirit lingers in later works that mix romance with sharp dialogue playfully.

Critical reception was mixed, with praise for brisk dialogue and the cast's chemistry, while some critics found the tone uneven. The film explores desire and commitment through light satire, balancing intellectual curiosity with pratfalls and playful bedroom farce that keeps the audience guessing. The cast performs with warmth and timing.