The Marrying Man (1991)

Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger struggle to enliven soggy comedy about a playboy ne'er-do-well who marries and then divorces the same woman, a torchy singer and one-time gangster's moll, again and again. Rather ugly little movie, written for the screen by no less than Neil Simon, repeats its meet-cute formula until a certain bleary-eyed resentment sets in. It's not a promising idea in the cinematic sense, and director Jerry Rees can't get it off the runway (despite a lively opening). Good supporting players Armand Assante, Robert Loggia and Paul Reiser aren't much help. As for infant terribles Baldwin and Basinger: at this stage in their careers, neither was able to carry a picture. Baldwin is wiry but green and nervous; Basinger is more confident as a performer, but can find no strengths for herself in this material. ** from ****

If you like Damon Runyon (obviously, Neil Simon does!), it's a probable 12 to 7 that you will LOVE this movie. Sets are fabulous depiction of "old Las Vegas" as are costumes. Because of the period depiction, this movie is more entertaining now than when it was released in 1991. Almost as good as "Let it Ride" (Richard Dryfus).If you are looking for reality, you won't find it here. But what you will find is clever (remember, Neil Simon wrote it), good acting, and GREAT singing by Kim Basinger (I didn't know she could do that!)and absolutely fabulous narration by I don't even know who. The morning line on this movie may have been 5 to 2 but it closed an odds on favorite in my book.

An excellent romantic comedy. Kim Basinger is superb in the role of a cabaret singer. She is gorgeous, immediate, and really puts over a song. She radiates true star quality and the staging of the songs is stunning. The screenplay is fresh and funny, and creates a delightful artificial reality that is validated by the emotional truths it conveys. Alec Baldwin is appealing and natural. Elizabeth Shue is perfectly cast in a subsidiary role and delivers with conviction. Minuses are the supporting four Baldwin buddies and major lapses in mise en scene. A touching, funny, and underrated movie. If, like me, you've passed by the video box for eons, turned off by the Art Disco graphic design, take a deep breath and give it a try.

This movie is a great a movie, especially when you don't know what the crap it's about before you watch it. I really liked this movie because it really gets you feeling as if you've been in a love hate relationship for three years when all you've been doing is watching a movie for two hours. And these two actors are great, the fact that they liked each other in real life adds to the passion they are supposed to feel.I'm tired of watching movies where people get divorced that seem so perfect for each other and in the back of your mind you think they should get back with each other, but in the occasion they do get back together, it suddenly seems like the problems they had befor disappeares, that usually makes it unrealistic. Thats why this movie is perfect, you want them to get together, which they do, and they still address the problems from before making this a superb movie. Since in my opinion Notting Hill his the best romantic comedy to ever be made and since this movie is only one notch bellow that that makes this a good movie. Maybe the reason I also liked this movie is because it mostly takes place in California which is where I live and love. But even if I lived in Australia I would still like this movie.