Married Life
After decades of marital contentment, Harry (Chris Cooper) concludes that he must kill his wife Pat (Patricia Clarkson) because he loves her too much to let her suffer when he leaves her. Harry has fallen hard for the young and lovely Kay (Rachel McAdams), but his best friend Richard (Pierce Brosnan) wants to win Kay for himself.
As Harry implements his maladroit plans for murdering his wife, the other characters are entangled with their own deceptions. Like Harry, they race towards their passions but trip over their scruples, seemingly well-intended towards all, but truthful to none.
Member Reviews
Disapointed - detersti
Maybe it's because I expected too much from this movie and given, the case, it sounded like it would be well done. It certainly had potential. The script is good. The acting is OK. I was not crazy about the casting of the lead male character however. He is supposed to be an emotional man and lovesick dreamer, but he just doesn't play those roles very well and I don't think it was a good fit. I also couldn't decide if it was a drama or dark comeday. I thought it was supposed to be a dark comedy, but seemed more like a simple drama to me.Stilted - Anon1832
None of the actors can say the lines as though they are actually living in the 40s. It's like a bad caricature of a 40s film. The writing is stilted at best...and there's not much that can be done about that.
It is a well filmed movie...the costumes and sets are appropriate...but if the actors don't believe in the film, how can we?Low Key Psychopathy - Stitch
Meet a husband who decides to kill his wife to spare her pain (synopsis). Now, if it’s incurable and she’s suffering, call it mercy and judge accordingly. But if he’s offing her for a new tootsie, I think we call it murder. And if he also does dry runs on his pets, definitely a psychopathic nut bar. Film noir or black comedy doesn’t pretend otherwise and spins it. But this screenplay just plain wanders in search of a message and eventually feels either distasteful or ridiculous. And the last few scenes are so hokey, they defy description. I got the message, though. Share the clean up.
But we hung in agreeing we’ve seen worse, in hopes of an epiphany or even a mite of excitement. Well, if there’s such a thing as movie in minor key, this is it. No one gets rattled. Consistently polite upper lip. Characteristic of America in the late ‘40’s? Not in my experience as a teen and the movies of the time did not reflect it--for the very good reason no one would have paid to see them.
Chris Cooper was my incentive to select this DVD. Considering what he’s given as character and dialogue, it’s a solid performance. However Patricia Clarkson as his wife actually makes her character come alive which is no small achievement in this snoozer. But not unexpected from one of the finest mature actresses in the business although regrettably mostly in supporting roles. Brosnan as usual plays Brosnan. Rachel McAdams as the love interest is from Canada.
The lone upside is the attention to the details of time, place and mannerisms. Settings are accurate and the cinematography appropriate to the bland mood. It will also be a nostalgia trip for pre-war babies—if your Pop had money. Consider the ‘cabin’. Gee, ours had one room, no heat.
A different treatment of marital affection indeed but not sufficient to be entertaining. Not unsuitable for family viewing alhough I can't imagine anyone under sixty being interested. Or over, come to think of it.
Member Reviews
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Disapointed - detersti
Maybe it's because I expected too much from this movie and given, the case, it sounded like it would be well done. It certainly had potential. The script is good. The acting is OK. I was not crazy about the casting of the lead male character however. ...Stilted - Anon1832
None of the actors can say the lines as though they are actually living in the 40s. It's like a bad caricature of a 40s film. The writing is stilted at best...and there's not much that can be done about that.
It is a well filmed movie...the costumes ...Low Key Psychopathy - Stitch
Meet a husband who decides to kill his wife to spare her pain (synopsis). Now, if it’s incurable and she’s suffering, call it mercy and judge accordingly. But if he’s offing her for a new tootsie, I think we call it murder. And if he also does dry runs on ...