Hey folks, long time spy Segue Zagnut is chiming in to let us hear his thoughts on THE STORY OF US, a film that we most recently heard praises from Moriarty on. Segue knows his craft very well, but now I have said too much and it's Segue's turn at bat... Here ya go my fiend..Friend...
Head Geek
This is Segue Zagnut and I've been feeling rather shy. It can be so much easier to stand in the corner, then the blazing hot spotlight, but the time has come to chose a few confessions. I confess to sneaking into Rob Reiner's new movie "the Story of Us". It stars Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer. Rita Wilson, Rob Reiner, and Paul Reiser round out the bit part roles.
If you have seen the trailer for this movie then you have a very good idea what this movie is about. The trailer nails it. The film is about a couple who after years of marriage are questioning if there is anything left for them to share. Much of the movie consists of flashbacks through out the marriage that set up the good and the bad of everyday life. The rest is interwoven with the couple's present day struggle to decide where to go from there. Ultimately this is not new territory for film, we've all seen couple struggle with their past and future before, but this film does shed new light none the less. This film is very real. Very honest. Reiner did not shy away from allowing his stars to look pathetic and damaged. And let's face it, that maybe common in comedies about love, but not in dramas. Too often the stars are too self conscious to deliver the real desperation and heartbreak that can come from well.. ah... heartbreak.
Bruce Willis in particular puts in a solid subtle performance that together with Sixth Sense should finally put him in the A list of dramatic actors. There is a scene in which Bruce unexpectedly breaksdown with his kids that is brilliant in it's honesty. It is as uncomfortable as it is funny, and that is the core of 'Us'.
The movie is excellent at displaying life situations in a real way, with contradictory emotions exposed. The hypocrisy of a long term relationship that goes through out moments of shear bliss and unimaginable pain. A perfect example from the movie is a scene where Bruce and Michelle go out on a date. They have been married for 15 years and have spent the last few weeks apart while the kids were at summer camp. They have been missing each other like crazy and both want it all to work out. They go out to dinner and it is perfect. They come home together for the first time in weeks and everything looks very good. They eventually find the way to the bed room with the intent to spend the night together. Out of the blue one of them says something that is instantly misinterpreted and all the old baggage comes flying out. Ending the night where they had begun, frustrated, in love, confused, and very lost. We truly see the highs and lows of their marriage and the actors make it work. The writing makes it work. It is too real. It is a great scene.
Michelle Pfeiffer has rarely looked as beautiful as she looks here, and perhaps she will finally be nominated for an Oscar. The performance is flawless. I could see her struggle and feel her pain in the tougher of the two roles because she is the one who has called the relationship off. This is not a film where the couple broke up because one side was wrong and be the end they figure out their mistake and so every one gets back together happily. This film shows that both sides are right. That both sides are struggling to hold on to something they don't want lost, even though clearly Michelle's character thinks it is too late.
So now you think this is a downer movie why should I see it. Because it is really good. Rob Riener for the first time in years gets it right. This is not a downer movie. Rob keeps it flowing. There are a lot more laughs then there are tears. The music by Eric Clapton does an excellent job of keeping the mood light and yet thoughtful, and I will buy the sound track the day it comes out.
This movie doesn't suffer from the lack of spontaneity of Rob's other recent films. A Few Good Men, An American President, and Ghosts of Mississippi are all too well made. You know where every punch is coming from and it all falls together too well. The Story of Us feels pure, almost like no one knew how it would end while making it. I certainly didn't know while watching and I think I would have been satisfied ending it with them together or not.
I hope people find this movie. I think it stands with Jerry Maguire or Kramer vs. Kramer as a smart and entertaining portrayal of the struggle of love and marriage.
I've said too much. Consider This... Segue Zagnut
