Married Life

This film is © by Sony Picture Classics, 2008

Starring:

Pierce Brosnan as Richard Langley
Chris Cooper as Harry Allen
Patricia Clarkson as Pat Allen
Rachel McAdams as Kay Nesbitt

Directed by: Ira Sachs

RATING:

While Married Life is not without any humanity, this film displays some of the most contemptible depths that human beings can achieve. Everything is not what it seems and most of the story plays itself as a dark and cynical comedy. The movie does a good job with this element and delivers a great deal of laughs as the characters' twisted motives behind their words and actions are presented. The plot adds a few twists and many possible endings can be envisioned by the viewer as things develop. This is what made this movie a real enjoyable experience. There are a few shortcomings but not enough to really damper this picture.

Set in an American suburb in the early 1940's, we first meet two middle-aged men who are old time friends yet they are quite the opposite of each other. There is Henry, who has been married for a long time and is quite of a sentimental fellow. Then there is Richard, a life long bachelor whose main goal is taking care of himself. Henry is dissatisfied with his wife Pat because he feels she does not give him enough in the field of feelings and emotions. From here on end all bets are off and everyone has their share of skeletons in the closet to display. Henry is seeing a young woman on the side and has decided he will leave his wife to be with her. Not being able to bear the pain this is going to cause; he decides that he will kill his wife to spare her the suffering. Little does he know but Kay, his mistress, has caught the attention of Harry.

To avoid any spoilers its safe to say that the plot goes on a wild ride from here as many facts come to light that change the picture originally presented. At one point the plot presents multiple ways in which the story could end. I really enjoyed this aspect and thought it was very clever and original. There is also a moment when the humor picks up a great deal, most of it being off screen as the viewer reflects on the contradiction between what is being said and done. To film has good deal of sarcasm, cynicisms and plain dark humor. All of this is pulled off rather well helping the film along the way.

While the acting is good there could have been more involvement into the characters. It felt like the movie was holding back a bit considering the context of the plot. I was a bit disappointed with the ending as well, everything had worked so well up to that point that I expected a big bang to seal the deal. What we get is not terrible but its rather bland and its not satisfying. That's too bad, because a real good ending would have made this movie a total success. Still it is good enough for me to recommend it and was as a whole an enjoyable experience. If you are on the cynical or dark side then you will definitely enjoy this movie.