Movie spotlight
Before the Time Comes
Hélène is a woman who already has, in her view, quite enough children. For some time she has secretly been taking birth control pills, but now she is too old to use them safely. When her husband Gabriel discovers the pills, he is distressed, since he wants a large family. The two of them discuss their differing attitudes and desires but come to no resolution.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young woman, grappling with her identity and sexuality, embarks on a journey of self-discovery during a summer spent at a secluded, affluent estate. She forms complex relationships with the estate's inhabitants, including the enigmatic owner and his troubled daughter, leading to profound personal revelations.
Critical Reception
As a made-for-television movie, "Before the Time Comes" received a mixed but generally positive reception, noted for its sensitive handling of a coming-of-age story and its strong performances, particularly from Liza Minnelli. It was praised for its exploration of themes like burgeoning sexuality and independence in a restrictive social environment, though some critics found its pacing to be slow.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for Liza Minnelli's compelling performance and the film's sensitive portrayal of a young woman's journey.
The exploration of themes like identity and sexual awakening was considered brave for its time.
Some viewers found the narrative to be somewhat meandering or dated in its presentation.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews specifically for this 1975 television film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
The film was originally intended as a pilot for a potential television series.
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