FAQ

When Ann (Vanessa Redgrave) and her 19-year old daughter Joanna (Susan George) receive an unexpected guest Joe Tanner (Cliff Robertson, a man with whom Ann had an affair 20 years ago at their failing hotel, the Marine, on the Dorset (England) coast, Ann and Joe renew their relationship, but Ann finds that she has a rival for Joe's affections.

The screenplay for Out of Season was written by two American screenwriters, Eric Bercovici and Reuben Bercovitch.

After Ann goes to bed, Joe falls asleep in his armchair until Joanna comes inside from her walk. She kneels down in front of Joe and takes away his bottle. When he awakens, she attempts to get him to go to bed with her. Joe continues to refuse until she takes off her coat, revealing her nakedness She lies down on a nearby couch, and Joe wordlessly follows her. Ann comes downstairs and catches them making love. She calmly informs him that she lied when she told him about Joanna's father. 'There wasn't anyone...just you,' she says, the implication being that Joanna is his own daughter. (Note the name 'Joanna' -- a combination of Joe and Ann). Joe leaves the next day. In the final scene, which takes place several weeks later, after Joe's return, Joe is shown serving coffee, playing cards, and talking with someone about redecorating the hotel. He mentions that 'she' has left. However, the face of the person to whom he is speaking is blocked by a strategically-placed pole so that it is impossible for the viewer to tell who has left and who is still there with Joe.