Married Life Review
Posted by Chad Webb on 04.05.2008
Proof that even the best looking marriages are not all sunshine and roses.
Pierce Brosnan: Richard Langley
Chris Cooper: Harry Allen
Patricia Clarkson: Pat Allen
Rachel McAdams: Kay
David Richmond-Peck: Tom
Directed By: Ira Sachs
Written By: Ira Sachs and Oren Moverman
Release Date: March 7, 2008
Running Time: 90 minutes
PG-13 for some thematic elements and a scene of sexuality.
Some projects look like nothing but hackneyed tripe worth no one's time on paper. Scripts such as Half Nelson and others come across the desks of studio execs, producers, and actors by the truck load. This is the case of Married Life, a new drama about adultery, murder, and romance. On the surface it doesn’t sound appealing or intriguing, but enough motivated people saw beneath the thin top layer. Toss in a brilliant cast, an aspiring filmmaker, and a memorable score, and a jewel emerges. Married Life might have sheer originality working against it, but with the proper ingredients even the most dull entrée can exceeds ones expectations.
To their peers, Harry (Chris Cooper) and Pat Allen (Patricia Clarkson) have a wholesome and contented marriage. They do not squabble, and are usually attentive to one another. However, neither realizes what is going through the others mind at night. Harry has met and fallen in love with a blonde bombshell named Kay (Rachel McAdams). He describes her as a woman that truly cares for him. The have a great deal in common and want to be together. Harry explains this to his friend Richard Langley (Pierce Brosnan). The problem is, Harry wants a divorce but does not know how to break the news to his wife. He decides not to tell her upfront, but to kill her instead, with poison to be exact. While Harry is preparing his nasty deed, Richard has gone crazy for Kay. He becomes a regular part of her life. She could be his answer to a soul mate, and if he has to betray Harry, so be it.
Chris Cooper is one of the most reliable names in the industry. Count on him to pull his weight even when the material suffers. In 2007, he turned in two performances to mainstream audiences. Sadly, the premature release date of his mastery in Breach was overshadowed by the middling Kingdom. As Harry Allen, Cooper exposes the heart of a husband who no longer loves his wife. He is involved with another woman, and wishes to happily move on without strain. When flirting with truth seems like detonating a bomb, his only possible solution is inconceivable. Harry’s actions are cowardly and abominable, yet curiously, the marvelousness of Cooper’s nuanced, naïve, and effortless portrayal actually induces sympathy. That speaks volumes for his ability.
In the opening sequence, Harry sits down to lunch with his friend Richard. As he describes the new woman that captured his affections enough to discard a 20+ year marriage, one wonders if the result will be convincing on a level that puts viewers in Harry’s shoes. And in walks a gorgeous Rachel McAdams as Kay, while Richard stares in bewilderment. Her smile, complimented by a gleaming old-fashioned blonde hairdo, positively lights up the room. From that moment, no doubts arise as to why any man is drawn under her spell. McAdams has been on hiatus for 2 years too long. Her contribution is excellent, subtle, and refined. She plays Kay not merely as a businessman’s mistress, but as an intelligent young person who genuinely feels for Harry. She is not ditsy or foolish. Kay only proceeds as her conscience guides her.
Few actors will ever be as dashing and debonair as Pierce Brosnan. His calm, cool, and collected demeanor is virtually impenetrable and persistently persuasive. As if the role was deliberately written for him, Brosnan acts as Richard, a self-confessed bachelor suddenly consumed by Kay’s beauty. He is also the fallacious narrator, and even in that voice over, the unmistakable qualities of a sly fox are evident. Richard has committed no wrongdoing, but we root against him. Why is he interfering with true love we ask ourselves? Perhaps he observes how odd Harry and Kay appear together. The line he utters, “Can we build happiness on the unhappiness of others” streams through the story with a daunting presence. Credit is also due for Patricia Clarkson’s extraordinary job as Harry’s digestively handicapped spouse Pat.
The time frame enables writer/director Ira Sachs (Forty Shades of Blue) to manipulate the substance according to his obvious fondness of romantic deception, elegant melodrama, and noir pictures. James Stewart, Cary Grant, and Marilyn Monroe would be right at home with a screenplay such as this in their hands. His approach to Married Life exudes nostalgia of the black & white classics with a miraculous charm, tension, and passion along the same vein as Far From Heaven or Double Indemnity. Inventiveness is not the strong point here, but what saves Married Life from being completely carried by the cast is the bizarrely surprising conclusion, which takes awhile to process, but after serious consideration, is rather unique and appropriate. Several of Sachs’ tactics are conventional, but his implementation of them is not. His fabulous tale, sophisticatedly co-written by Oren Moverman with a superb score from Dickon Hinchliffe, is steeped in dark humor, wry occurrences, and fulfilling progressions.
Married Life is a terrific way to spend 90 minutes, although it could have been longer. It is a film my parents, who rarely rent or watch anything, would adore. My recommendation stems from the carefully crafted execution of the premise, and the low-key delivery of the product to the public. It demands and deserves attention, but unfortunately minor releases of this caliber scarcely develop a reputation in theaters. Married Life will surely prosper admirably on DVD, find the houses of many middle-class families, and be doomed to the pile of overlooked treasures.
The 411: Married Life starts to unfold in a manner that tells the audience a bigger twist is coming, but Writer/Director Ira Sachs wisely keeps the pacing and approach clear-cut and plain. This is a film for people who can appreciate all the diligent work that goes into fashioning a motion picture. The performances are wonderful from Chris Cooper, Rachel McAdams, and Pierce Brosnan. The title and plot might not jump out at any of you as exciting or suspenseful, but take my word for it, and give this a shot. You won’t be disappointed.
