The Story of Us (1999)

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Don't listen to the negative reviews

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

One of the several new movies opening this weekend is the comedy farce Three to Tango. In this ultralight vehicle Matthew Perry plays a partner in architectural firm. His partner is played by the ubiquitous Oliver Platt (A Time to Kill, Indecent Proposal, The Three Musketeers). To make a thin story short, Perry and Platt really need the multi-million dollar project they are bidding on. The millionaire who will fund the contract (played by Dermot Mulroney) needs someone safe to keep an eye on his mistress. Due to a misunderstanding, Mulroney thinks Perry is gay (actually Platt is gay). Perry is commissioned to be the chaperone who must avoid falling in love with his charge (Neve Campbell). He does. So does she. What a mess!And what a mess just about says it all. The only stroke of genius here is in the casting. The two main characters are one-dimensional caricatures. Fortunately, the casting director was able to find two actors who have become real-life one-dimensional caricatures (Perry and Campbell). The real tragedy here is that there are some great supporting actors relegated to mindless supporting roles. I usually divide movies into categories: see it at the theater, wait for the video, or wait for it to come on television. This film deserves a whole new category--wait until you find someone that needs to be tortured.The good news is that there is another film playing that, while a bit light and predictable, is also charming and witty with some great performances. The Story of Us is directed by Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, Princess Bride). Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer play a middle-aged couple who have lost that lovin' feeling and don't know what to do about it. The plot line is predictable, but there are some great scenes along the way, and some witty lines scattered throughout. Rita Wilson has one of the more memorable scenes as she skewers thoughtless males everywhere. There are some wonderful montage sequences with great accompaniment by Eric Clapton.The Story of Us is not great art, but it is a timely story told with a wonderfully wry sense of humor and some excellent pacing throughout. Willis and Pfeiffer are at their charming best, and it is worth sitting through the entire movie just to see Michelle Pfeiffer's speech at the end of the film. If you are trying to choose between these two films, the choice is clear. Reiner's The Story of Us is a solid triple while Three to Tango strikes out with just three pitches.

The Story of Us (1999): Dir: Rob Reiner / Cast: Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, Tim Matheson: Drama about the endurance of relationships that might have worked had the couple not argued over the stupidest things. We could probably find quicker solutions to the dilemmas Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer face here. Instead their marriage is in pearl because they lack good communication skills. The film analyzes their marriage from the day they met to the birth of their children up to the problems they face now. She believes he is having an affair when she completely misunderstood and unable to take responsibility for her actions. Depressing and predictable directed by Rob Reiner who does his worst but this sort of theme is more appealing in his When Harry Met Sally. This ranks as one of his less appealing films. Willis and Pfeiffer bicker for two hours. He gets depressed while she takes up cooking and opens opportunity for an affair herself. An opening phone conversation where they talk over loud noise is completely contrived. In idiotic supporting roles are Reiner as Willis's advice giving friend and Rita Wilson who overacts as Reiner's wife. Tim Matheson is a complete waste as the potential new man in Pfeiffer's life. We yearn for his great comic work in Animal House where he was awesome. Strong marriage theme takes too long to arrive at the obvious point. Score: 4 / 10

Bruce Willis takes a break from action flicks to star with Michelle Pheiffer in The Story Of Us about two married people whose marriage seems to be going off course. After 15 years they're marriage is in crisis mode.By all rights they have the storybook American Dream, wife, two kids, and living the good life in suburbia. But they seem to be stuck in a rut and both are trying to capture the magic gone.What they learn in the end is that the magic of those honeymoon early years is gone and they actually do like each other. What they have to do is stop letting little things annoy both of them all out of proportion.Rob Reiner directed The Story Of Us and cast himself in a nice part as Willis's friend who seems to be giving bad advice every time he opens his mouth. But the best supporting roles are from Bill Kirchenbauer and Lucy Webb who are a pair of yokel Americans that Willis and Pheiffer meet on a trip to Italy. These two may be dumb, but they're happy and sometimes that's what you should strive for.For fans of the leads especially for Bruce Willis fans who get a nice change of pace.

THE STORY OF US, in my opinion, is a very sweet, touching, romantic, and kind of heartbreaking drama about the affect bickering can have on a married couple's children. Anytime Ben (Bruce Willis) and Katie (Michelle Pfeiffer) bickered, I felt really touched. It's hard for me to explain why. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say, "If you ask me, THE STORY OF US really shows you how kids can be affected by their parents bickering. " Now, in conclusion, I recommend this very sweet, touching, romantic, and kind of heartbreaking drama about the affect bickering can have on a married couple's children to all you Bruce Willis or Michelle Pfeiffer fans who have not seen it. You're in for some tears and a good time, so, go to the video store, rent it or buy it, kick back with a friend, and watch it.