Married Life
Married Life
PG-13 | 12 September 2007 (USA)
Married Life Trailers

A very gentle middle-aged man is married, but when he falls in love with another woman, he decides that to divorce his wife would humiliate her too much – so instead he decides to kill her.

Reviews
b9713961

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this film. At first I didn't know what to make of it, or where it was going. The dark twists and turns of the film are completely unexpected, with some very funny moments. It kept me on my toes, and the lead performances were great.What I found interesting about the film is that it was incredibly complex, well-written characters, in very complex situations, set in a very simple time.Patricia Clarkson, who should have been nominated for a Supporting Actress Oscar for The Green Mile, shines wonderfully. I hope she finally gets some recognition as the Leading Actress in this film.Rachel McAdams proves her acting abilities with an incredible performance in this film. She is beautiful, subtle, and so commanding. One of her most mature roles to date.Of course, I expect nothing less from Oscar-winner Chris Cooper. This proves to me though that he can carry a film, and not just be a strong supporting character.Brosnan is very suave, but also provides some unexpected comic relief.I recommend this film unreservedly.

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jotix100

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.

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MBunge

Married Life is the sweetest, most tender movie you'll ever see about a man who wants to kills his wife so he can be with his young girlfriend.In post-WWII America, Harry Allen and Richard Langley (Chris Cooper and Pierce Brosnan) are two old friends who couldn't be more different. Harry is happily married and romantic. Rich is a confirmed bachelor and cynic in the ways of love. Then one day, Rich hears something he never expected from his friend. Harry is having an affair. He still loves his wife Pat (Patricia Clarkson), but Harry has become frustrated and unfulfilled by Pat's determined unsentimentality. Harry doesn't want a good and loving companion, he wants a soul mate and he thinks he's found one in Kay Nesbitt (Rachel McAdams). Harry even introduces Kay to Rich, confident that his friend will keep his secret.The problem is that Harry still cares about Pat and can't stand the idea of the pain and embarrassment a divorce would cause her. T hings are further complicated when Rich finds himself drawn to Kay, and then discovers something about Pat that could solve Harry's problem. Rich turns that information to his benefit, however, without ever knowing that Harry has decided the only way out of his predicament is to kill Pat. Harry thinks it's the kindest thing he can do, but discovers that killing your wife is a much thornier problem than he expected, both practically and emotionally.If you just consider the plot, Married Life seems like a noirish thriller. It's really a relaxed and heartfelt meditation on the sanctity of marriage and how that union can prosper and satisfy, if you can protect it from the challenges of desire and impatience. It asks us to consider two people who get everything they need from each other, yet are willing to throw that away because they can't have what they want. You expect Harry to learn a lesson from his adulterous and murder-planning ways, but he doesn't learn the lesson you expected.The acting in this movie is quite good, if a bit low key. Chris Cooper does a nice job not letting Harry collapse into a caricature. Instead of letting Harry seem like a selfish hypocrite, Cooper shows us a man whose deep emotions are simply running away with him. Brosnan is also good as the more worldly Rich who secretly envies the peace and care of his friend's marriage. Rachel McAdams is exceptionally beautiful as Kay, but her performance is unexceptional. You can understand why Harry and Rich would fall in lust with her, but McAdams never gives the character enough to make us believe they would fall madly in love with her. But the star of the show is Patricia Clarkson. She is ceaselessly charming and endearing as Pat, even more so when we discover there's more to her than just being a devoted wife.Now, there are a couple of plot twists that are tough to swallow and the film appears to be in complete denial about the fact that McAdams looks young enough to be Cooper or Brosnan's daughter. It's one thing for "the other woman" to be much younger when the story is on the page, but when you see a couple of middle aged men enamored with a woman at least 20 years younger than they are, there are certain inescapable implications which flow from that dynamic. The age difference should say something about the relationships between Harry and Kay and Rich and Kay. Married Life, however, just cruises along without even vaguely acknowledging those implications.A lot of stories talk about love. Far fewer talk about marriage. Even less than that focus on marriage as it actually is. Married Life is a light, funny and appealing entry into that minuscule third category. If you've ever wanted to kill the person you love, definitely give it a look.

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Jay Harris

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)

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