A Caller From LA wrote in with a look at THE STORY OF US, a film with a damn good trailer that's currently out in theaters that really lit a fire under my ass to want to find out more about this one. If the word is true on THE SIXTH SENSE and THE STORY OF US... then if BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS works... then wow... what a year for the Bruce-meister. Well, we haven't heard too much on this film thus far, but here's the first look at a review for the movie.
Hey Harry,
After seeing a screening of DROP DEAD GORGEOUS (rentable) on Wednesday night in L.A., I quickly spotted those damn NRG types. They didn't recognize me from my previous encounters, most recently on the MYSTERY MEN (neat-o) test screening, so they gave me and my wife passes to a test screening of THE STORY OF US (a gem).
Here's a breakdown. Very little in the way of spoilers. I don't give away the ending. The butler didn't do it.
LOCATION: The movie takes place in and around Los Angeles. Pretty cool, since one scene was filmed where I work near Angels' Flight, and another clearly showed my apartment in the background on Wilshire (near the E! building). Some parts of Italy were beautifully filmed as well.
SUMMARY: A comedy/drama about how 2 people fall in and out of love over 15 years. If you want to cry hard and laugh hard 10 times within a minute, then join this emotional rollercoaster. See it with an audience and you'll be bonding with everyone as you guffaw at the funnies, say "Nooo. Stop. Don't do it" when things go from happy-times to the depths, and sniffle when love just can't break through the myriad of problems. I haven't cried this much since I last heard "Dad, wanna play a game of catch?" (sniffle) from FIELD OF DREAMS.
PLOT: There’s one important point to keep in mind…this is not your usual plot driven movie, but a true character development piece that is driven purely by the unfolding of the details of this couples lives together, past and present. As the film opens, our beleaguered couple have been out of love for "72 hours, 7 days, 5 years, however you want to count it." They are staying together for the sake of their 2 young kids in the hope that they will rediscover their former flames for each other. There were flashbacks continuously throughout the film, and it didn't detract from the pacing at all. Not only did it NOT detract, but they flowed seamlessly from past to present and progressed the film forward by giving true depth and understanding to the character’s development. I referred to the film as an "emotional rollercoaster,” so I must add that about 2/3rds into the film, the editing / pacing got turbo-charged. Everyone, I mean EVERYONE, in the audience spent a POWERFUL 2 minutes in montage as we see scenes from the couple's life, the 'Highs' and 'Lows', a birth, a funeral, a fight, a possible affair, a quietness, a pet dies, the kids grow up, New Years' Eve, etc., etc. I want to see it again, so I can time the entire scene and each clip, just to figure out what the magic of that particular montage was. I am not familiar with any other films that tackle the problems of love 'wearing down' over time as much as this plot focuses on it. I'm in my 20's, so I've never really looked for this type of film before, either. This is a gem of a film. It is what it is, and doesn't try to be anything else. Much like WAKING NED DIVINE in this respect.
CAST AND CREW: Michelle Pfeiffer took a huge, juicy bite out of this role. When I say the movie was an emotional rollercoaster, it was REAL, you believed it, and Michelle sold it to us. If it weren't for the cutesy "WHEN HARRY MET SALLY"-Rob Reiner (director) moments, I'd believe an Oscar nom was on the way. This film won't hurt Bruce Willis' career either, as he makes his own breakdown / crying scenes believable, just as if you might see your friend, Uncle, or Dad cry. However, Bruce gets a bit silly sometimes, which seemed to be a little over the top for this character. I should also take time to notice the supporting acting. Most of the supporting actors were comic relief. Rita Wilson got a bit juicier role, and she even got a breakdown scene of her own, which helped to show that the troubles of the main couple affected not only their lives, but their friends as well. And kudos to couple who portrayed the "Kirbys", as they stole a bit of the film for themselves, proving that there are no small roles. The direction was good...it didn't get in the way, but the real acclaim goes to the editors! The editing and pacing was perfect... it should be considered a textbook example. Of course, it was the writing that gave the editors something to work for, and I truly have to believe that this must have been exactly what the author had envisioned. The soundtrack mostly consisted of one song in many formats by ERIC CLAPTON, who is GOD. The song was sad, angry, apologetic, and haunting, which just made the perfect compliment to the film. I predict the song will be in the Top 5 sometime this year. Since this was only a test screening, I really hope that they don’t tamper with the soundtrack. It gives the film the feel of the old movies that had one theme pervading throughout the entire movie
CONCLUSION: As far as box office goes, the movie won't get the teenage crowd, and it won't get the testosterone-types, so it depends on what it's opening up against. But this film is a “must see.” I plan to highly suggest it to everyone I know. It will truly move you.
