The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons

Year: 1981

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: English

RomanceDramaComedyMoving relationship storiesRelationship comedy

Three affluent, middle‑aged couples rotate a series of vacations set in spring, summer, autumn and winter, using the scenic getaways to confront mid‑life, marital, parental and other personal crises, all while celebrating friendship and the patience required to endure each other.

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Timeline & Setting – The Four Seasons (1981)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Four Seasons (1981). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York City, Nick's weekend forest cottage, St. Thomas, Connecticut (university inn), ski resort

The film moves from the energy of New York City to a secluded forest cottage, then sails to a sun-soaked island around St. Thomas, and visits a Connecticut university town before ending at a snowy ski lodge. These shifts anchor the emotional journeys of three couples as their friendships are tested across the four seasons. Each setting highlights different social rituals: intimate getaways, public displays of desire, campus life, and resort leisure, all shaping how characters relate to one another.

🌆 City life 🌲 Forest retreat 🏝️ Island getaway 🏫 University town 🏔️ Ski resort

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:55

Main Characters – The Four Seasons (1981)

Meet the key characters of The Four Seasons (1981), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jack Burroughs (Alan Alda)

A moralistic lawyer whose seriousness anchors the group. He grapples with loyalty to his wife Kate while navigating Nick's unraveling marriage and the disruptive presence of Ginny. His competitive edge on the skiing slope mirrors his desire to restore order in the friendships. He evolves as he faces the fractures within the circle.

💼 Lawyer 🧭 Moral 🗣️ Controlling

Kate Burroughs (Carol Burnett)

A sharp, stylish Fortune editor who choreographs the group’s four-season getaways. She wrestles with Nick's actions and the strains they place on her friendships, and uses planning to keep the social circle intact. Her wit hides anxiety about losing the group’s cohesion. She seeks reassurance through humor and steadfast resolve.

💼 Editor 🗓️ Planner 🎭 Witty

Nick Callan (Len Cariou)

An insurance salesman and estate planner whose charm masks a self-centered streak. His affair with Ginny destabilizes the group and exposes fractures in every marriage. He flirts with freedom while avoiding accountability for his choices. His actions challenge the others to confront their own commitments.

💼 Salesman 🧭 Self-centered 💘 Womanizer

Anne Callan (Sandy Dennis)

A housewife and photographer who grows increasingly depressed after the separation from Nick. She searches for new experiences and glimmers of independence, exploring ventures like travel and new pets. Her sensitivity and vulnerability push the group toward empathy and healing. She shows quiet resilience amidst disruption.

📷 Photographer 💔 Vulnerable 🧭 Independent

Claudia Zimmer (Rita Moreno)

An insensitive Italian painter who often clashes with others yet remains unapologetic about her views. She acts as a foil to the more nurturant instincts of the group, defending her own dramatic sensibilities. Her bluntness intensifies conflicts but also catalyzes honest conversations.

🎨 Artist 🗣️ Blunt 🧱 Stubborn

Danny Zimmer (Jack Weston)

A cheap dentist plagued by obsessive-compulsive tendencies and health anxieties. He often acts as a counterbalance to Claudia's bluntness, while showing genuine care for his family. His fears drive some of the group tension, but also moments of humor and camaraderie.

🦷 Dentist 🧠 Neurotic ⚠️ Hypochondriac

Ginny Newley (Beatrice Alda)

A younger, naive woman who becomes Nick's partner. She brings a freer, more carefree energy that contrasts with the group’s established routines. Her pregnancy later adds stakes to the relationships, and she defends Danny when others mock his fears.

🎀 Young 💖 Free-spirited 🫶 Supportive

Lisa Callan (Beatrice Alda)

Daughter of Nick and Anne, and a friend to Beth; she endures the family tensions with quiet resilience. Her withdrawal at times reflects the strain of the marital changes around her, while she remains an observant participant in the group.

🎓 Student 🎭 Reserved 🤝 Friend

Beth Burroughs (Elizabeth Alda)

Daughter of Kate and Jack who studies at the university. She navigates the complexities of family and friendship while maintaining her own independence. Her perspective adds a younger viewpoint to the group’s evolving dynamic.

🎓 Student 🧩 Complicated 🤝 Family

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:55

Major Themes – The Four Seasons (1981)

Explore the central themes of The Four Seasons (1981), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Marriage

Across the four seasons, the film probes how long-term marriage endures under strain. The couples navigate jealousy, dissatisfaction, and alternating affection as Nick's separation and Ginny's presence test loyalties. Kate and Jack's attempts to maintain the rhythm of shared vacations reveal both comfort and limits in their union. The changing seasons symbolize emotional cycles within relationships.

🧭 Dissatisfaction

Characters seek novelty and independence; Nick pursues a new romance with Ginny, while Anne contemplates new experiences and even a move to Czechoslovakia. Claudia's insensitivity shoves others away, fueling tensions. The group uses travel to keep the friendship afloat, yet underlying resentments surface. The theme shows how discontent can both destabilize and provoke personal growth.

🧊 Conflict & Reconciliation

Fights erupt during ski trips, boat rides, and quiet dinners, culminating in a chaotic night and a dangerous ice incident. The characters argue, push boundaries, and reveal vulnerabilities. The resolution comes through forgiveness and renewed commitment to the group, with humor softening the tensions. The closing line hints at a future where the four couples return to the resort, suggesting resilience.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:55

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The Four Seasons Summary

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The Four Seasons Summary

The Four Seasons Timeline

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The Four Seasons Timeline

More About The Four Seasons

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