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.

After fifteen years of marriage, Southern California comedy writer Bruce Willis (as Ben) and crossword puzzle constructor Michelle Pfeiffer (as Katie) appear close to divorce. They pretend to be happily married while teenage children are home from school or summer camp, but otherwise Mr. Willis and Ms. Pfeiffer shout obscenities at each other. They are not happy. Flashbacks reveal a pursed-lipped Pfeiffer met playful Willis as a "temp" in his office. They were mutually attracted and created two children. Their marriage unravels in a series of clichés, which many couples should recognize. A core problem is not evident, however...Never cared if the characters played by Willis and Pfeiffer stayed together, or divorced. Not sure why this marriage dissolved - boredom, incompatibility, lack of communication… They do finally make a decision, with the female half apparently resolving something (in an ending epiphany). The highlight could be director Rob Reiner's on-screen character redefining the word "ass". Dirty restaurant talk. Also watch for the therapist with a prostrate problem; he says there are six people in your bed - which leads to a cameo for Red Buttons, Jayne Meadows, Tom Poston and Betty White. They're good for a momentary chuckle.**** The Story of Us (10/13/99) Rob Reiner ~ Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson

To be honest, I didn't even remember when this movie came out. I was single then so I may have deemed it a chick flick and moved on. When I finally did see it I had been married for a short time but been with my wife for a while. There was very, very little that we could not identify with. I almost felt like I was watching my life so the title is perfect. Bruce and Michelle are amazing in their roles and I challenge anyone to say there was not one part where they were not emotionally moved by their performances. While there were some funny moments(the scenes in Venice are good, and Michelle's rant at the end is classic) this is really a dramatic movie and I really feel the main characters played more to the dramatic aspects of the script. Honestly, I really don't think that it matters how long you've been married, or with someone, you really have to see this movie.

The movie might have been somewhat slow at times, but overall I enjoyed it. It was real. It was not a typical Hollywood marriage movie. My husband and I enjoyed the way movie went through the years of the marriage. I enjoyed Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer---I think they had good chemistry together. Years after having seen it, my husband and I still refer to little things we remember from the movie--great for real married couples---even if there is a good bit of arguing in it. :) It is also one of those movies that keeps you on your toes and keeps you guessing. I think people who have been married, people who have experienced struggles, would be able to identify with this movie.