Married Life (2007)

Fantastic!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Oh the joys of married life! This film captures the ideas of longing to be married, loveless marriage, along with the dangers of cheating, all in a relatively slim running time.It boasts good performances from Chris Cooper (always great) and it was nice to see Pierce Brosnan playing a different sort of role. I thought the Rachel McAdams role was quite thin though, and she wasn't really given much chance to show what a fine actress she is.This film in my opinion is let down by a rushed ending that is a little disappointing. It remains a decent film, but not one I'd care to see again.

This cynical take on the state of marriage is mostly a melodrama with a 1949 setting. To friends and acquaintances, middle-aged and wealthy businessman Harry Allen (Chris Cooper) is supposedly happily married to Pat (Patricia Clarkson). The spouses are complimentary to each other and never argue. But Harry feels that time has run its course. Harry wants an "emotional connection" while Pat believes that "love is sex." (By the way, how many years have these folks been married?) Now Harry has met and is in love with a woman younger by nearly three decades, Kay Nesbitt (Rachel McAdams), she of the ruby red lipstick and bleached-blonde hairdo. It is not clear what her attraction to him is, although he obviously showers her with many gifts and a place to stay. Harry feels that Pat would be so shattered and would suffer by his decision to leave her that he decides to poison her mercifully (unknowingly and painlessly) in her sleep. He is earnest in his feelings. At lunch Harry tells his best friend, the charming and caddish bachelor Richard Langley (Pierce Brosnan), that he wants him to look after Kay – to check up on her – as she is lonesome in her country house. Hmmm . . . You just know where this is leading. At first, it may seem strange that the amenable Pat never seems to question Harry about his absences (when he is with Kay). What Harry does not know is that his trusted wife Pat has also been having an affair with one of his circle of friends, John O'Brien (David Wenham), but does not want a divorce because she fears her husband cannot live without her. And so the feature proceeds at a slow pace until the 74th minute, when it temporarily morphs from a social commentary into a crime drama. Because of a change in circumstances, Harry decides he doesn't want to kill his wife after all. The problem is that he is away, having already poisoned Pat's medication before he left. Now he is speeding desperately and even recklessly, trying to return before she takes the deadly mixture scheduled fifteen minutes hence. Then he is stopped by police . . . Boxed in with their hypocrisy and one-dimensional opinions, the four main characters have significant flaws in their thinking. To them love is a reaction as they behave in moral bankruptcy with their selfish foibles and betrayals. There is no sanctity of marriage here. Then again there are folks who believe that a little adultery is no reason to wreck a marriage that apparently functions well enough. Although some folks will find this film boring (with some justification), there are aspects to like. For one thing, the sets have the feel of the late 1940s period, and an overabundance of music from that era is not needed to promote the sense of the time. But Doris Day's later hit, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," is a treat. For another, the casting is right on target. Then there is the tense scene briefly described above, which helps move the story towards its conclusion (which I will not disclose). You can see worse.

Harry has a big surprise in store for his friend Richard. The invitation to lunch is only an excuse for Harry to reveal to Richard he is in love with another woman, Kay. At the same time, Harry confesses his doubts of how Pat, his wife, will take the news he will be leaving her. Harry strongly believes Pat is too dependent on him and the shock his betrayal will have on her. Harry wants to come clean to Richard, even introducing the young woman to his friend for what appears to be his approval. What Harry does not count on is that Richard will take a fancy to Kay!Pat, the suburban wife, suffers from a bad stomach. The medicine she takes to relieve her problem presents an opportunity for Harry to plan to murder her. Richard is shocked when he finds Pat at their cottage in the company of another man. She also comes clean to Richard, who realizes Harry's guilt is unfounded and that Pat is much stronger than she is given credit for. Richard, who is the narrator of the story, is instrumental in triggering guilt in Harry's mind, when he catches Kay with the man he thought to be his real friend and makes him think twice before committing a crime that will carry a prison sentence.Ira Sachs, the director of "Married Life" shows an affinity to the master of the melodrama, Douglas Sirk. The screenplay, co-written with Oren Moverman, has a style that makes the viewer recall that genre in which Mr. Sirk made valuable contributions. Mr. Sachs directed with an eye for style. The late 1940s are recreated faithfully in dining rooms for executives drinking dry martinis and smoking, as well as the decor of the era. The film is a mixture of melodrama and suspense as Harry concocts his plan to get rid of the situation he finds himself in. The film is based on a novel by John Bingham "Five Roundabouts to Heaven".Chris Cooper plays against type. He is does not appear to be comfortable with the Harry he is supposed to portrait. Patricia Clarkson, on the other hand, proves here she cannot do wrong in anything she plays. Her Pat is another triumph for the actress. Pierce Brosnan makes an excellent Richard, working with great economy to show what this man is like. The only disappointment is Rachel McAdams who appears to be much younger for both the men she is to be attracted. Appearing as a blonde, she fits well in the context of the story even if one cannot believe for a moment she feels anything for either man in love with her.

This is a very well made & very well acted film, set way back in 1949.Ira Sachs directed & captures the period near perfectly. This is basically a 4 character film. It is a combination romantic comedy drama, There are a few twists along the way (some expected). Pierce Brosman & Chris Cooper are the best of friends from childhood, Chris is married to Patrica Clarkson, they seem happily married.Chris however has fallen madly, passionately in love with Rachel McAdams,WHO CAN BLAME him. Pierce being single also falls head over head in love with her., Here is where the naivety comes in. NO ONE suspects anything or do they? I will not say is Patrica may or may not have a fling as well..This twist & more are yet to come.On DVD they have 3 alternative endings. I prefer the one they did use. Be sure however to watch them, as there is another small twist.This movie only had a limited theatrical run, mainly because it was figured that todays action oriented audience could not sit through a romantic comedy drama, that all conversation.I enjoyed it & I believe others will as well.Ratings: *** (out of 4) 86 points(out of 100) IMDb 8 (out of 10)