Roger Ebert gave the film four stars; his review is quoted calling it an intelligent, perceptive and deeply moving film, rare in its characters facing such challenges.
Ebert is called right on this one.

Casting What-Ifs

Robert Redford as Calvin; Gene Hackman as Calvin; Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Berger; Natalie Wood as Beth

In the discussion (8)

Approx. transcript time · 01:26:51Read transcript

The studio wanted Redford to play Calvin; he declined as too predictable, and the hosts think he would have overpowered or sunk the film.
Hackman as Calvin is intriguing, recalling his surprising turn in The Firm.
The EW oral history links Hackman to both the Berger and Calvin parts; research indicates it was the Sutherland part.
Per Redford, he wanted Richard Dreyfuss as the psychiatrist, but the reply was that Dreyfuss was having a nervous breakdown; Sutherland then said he wanted the husband rather than the psychiatrist.
Hackman was cast as Calvin but dropped out over compensation, per a Chicago Tribune article; Sutherland was told it was him or Hackman.
Elizabeth McGovern got special permission from Juilliard to be in the film.
Per Redford, he found Judd Hirsch on Taxi, which the hosts note was a top show, and saw Mary Tyler Moore alone on a Malibu beach, a story half believed.
Natalie Wood reportedly wanted to play the mother and had worked with Redford in the 60s; they never spoke again after Mary Tyler Moore was cast.

Recasting Couch

Casting left intact

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:33:05Read transcript

The casting would not be touched, and a pass is declared.
The casting is called pretty great. — Sean Fennessey
Dreyfuss in place of Judd Hirsch is floated, but Hirsch's delicate, restrained performance is defended.
Pacino as Dr. Berger is floated.
Later, one participant almost had Beth recastings such as Ellen Burstyn, Shirley MacLaine or Gena Rowlands, but concludes Mary Tyler Moore is perfect for the part.

Half-Assed Internet Research

Paramount greenlight; refilmed Sutherland scene; banned-books ranking

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:35:44Read transcript

Paramount's Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg did not like the project, but Barry Diller did, so it was made; this is compared with doubts at The Ringer about launching The Watch.
Redford's version: Sutherland's big late scene felt too much, they reviewed it together, and Sutherland agreed to reshoot it.
Sutherland's version: he felt humiliated watching dailies, told them he had overdone it, and Redford called three months later to redo it, standing in for Mary Tyler Moore.
One host chooses to believe Sutherland because Redford is an unreliable narrator.
Sutherland is likely self-regarding too, so the truth may never be known. — Sean Fennessey
The book ranked 52nd among the most challenged books in schools and libraries, per the figure read on air, just ahead of American Psycho; it is likened to 13 Reasons Why for its depiction of suicidal ideation and depression.

Preserved dead child's room; drowned champion swimmer; Beth's departure; Adam Baldwin's build; discarded French toast; Beth's psychology; swim team focus; swim coaching; swim season length; packed swim meet

In the discussion (10)

Approx. transcript time · 01:45:18Read transcript

The gimmick of the family keeping the dead child's room intact should be retired.
A spouse questioned how a champion swimmer with so many trophies drowned; the reply is that they may have been out there for hours.
Beth's seizure-like moment while packing is called bad acting, and it is unclear where she was going at dawn in 1980 with a suitcase; perhaps to Ward's in Houston.
Asked about ever just leaving, the answer is no. — Mallory Rubin
Adam Baldwin does not have a swimmer's body, while Hutton is believable as a swimmer.
Beth throwing Conrad's French toast in the disposal upset a spouse, since it heats up perfectly.
Beth's psychology is probed: an uptight mother, a cheery photo-taking father, and an attachment to Buck in the flashback that seems inappropriately flirtatious, which one host finds hard to accept as a storytelling choice.
One host sees Beth as a monster, while Judith Guest described her as an unfinished character whose feelings go unexpressed except in the outburst at Ward.
Why swim team was so central to the family, and how swim coaches coach beyond yelling to go faster, is asked.
The swim season seems year-round, and the stands being packed for a swim meet is attributed to 1980 having nothing else to do.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Gene Hackman as the dad; Conrad's college; Beth's love life in Houston; Beth's golf handicap; Calvin and Beth's sex life

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 01:51:13Read transcript

Is it a better movie with Gene Hackman as the dad? No, but it would be worth seeing.
Conrad probably goes out of state, maybe Michigan State given the tickets mentioned, or an Amherst or Williams type school.
Beth is in a new relationship very quickly, needing to rebuild a semblance of family life, but not with anyone from the golf course. — Mallory Rubin
Beth's golf handicap is estimated at 12 or 13, or 10.
Calvin and Beth's sex life is judged active early on and a way for them to convince each other they still have something.