On the theme of communication in relationships through the spoken word a couple find they have communication and relationship problems, as words don't always reveal the whole truth. Based on James Saunders' 1971 stage play this is a 1973 German language feature length television adaptation, translated by Hilde Spiel, and directed by Austrian Michael Haneke (his debut as a director). A meditation on relationship dynamics and a dissection of the psychological issues behind relationship discord and breakdown. In this two-handed drama the anonymous couple play a game with each other they describe as verbal ping-pong (or jousting), as they test the idea of give and take, try to fit in with each other (which has the opposite effect), answer questions with questions, attempt to comprehend emotions like desire and love through language, and finally come to an understanding that they have no understanding. At the heart of this seems to be the problem of honesty (or rather lack of it), with the couple trying to go all 'philosophical' on their relationship, as quotes regularly flash up on the screen from filmmakers (Jean-Luc Godard), philosophers, pop music bands (naturally), and with even Saunders getting to stick his oar in. Shot on videotape (and visually static and set bound) this is an ironic, symbolic drama similar to (but a minimalist version of) other film and television relationship dramas of the time, in which this couple fail to get any satisfaction from their relationship (as The Rolling Stones keep reminding us on the soundtrack). And then there's that damn apple. Oh yes - The Beatles.
