felinetitanic This movie was so boring -- it was painful to watch. I had to force myself to watch it to the end, I kept hoping it would get better considering the good actors in it, Pierce Brosnan especially since he is really handsome and sexy. The actors all seemed to do the best they could but it was just boring. It never got better. It wasn't funny, it wasn't dramatic. It was tedious at best. All good actors make a dud and this was it for all of them. There was no story really, it jumped around. it was all about adultery, cheating, the buddy trying to help out. The music was irritating. The story that was there was not clearly told and the talking over the scenes and the explanations did not help. In fact, that was irritating too.

sergepesic The well to do, middle-aged American couple, seems to be in a middle of a marital crisis. The husband is in love with a much younger women and seeks complete happiness. Well it has to be a fly in that particular ointment. " Married Life" tries to be a clever pastiche set in 1949, when women were glamorous and desperately needed protection, or that's what martini swilling, two pack a day smoking men,liked to think. So, the movie tries to be smart and amusing and a bit suspenseful, but it fails in that endeavor. With all the stirred emotions and betrayals and deceptions, in the end it doesn't go anywhere. It just fizzles and expects us to feel buzzed and refreshed.Sorry, I definitely wasn't.

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.

Chrysanthepop Ira Sachs's dark comedy 'Married Life' is an intriguing little film set in the 40s/50s. Dealing with complex relations, it somewhat portrays the men as selfish and the female as hungry for love...but there are layers and it's not all so black and white. What's also interesting is the unusual cast that includes Pierce Brosnan, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Cooper and a refreshing Rachel McAdams. Though the pairing between McAdams and Brosnan is awkward, the chemistry works better between her and Cooper. Brosnan seems miscast but not to the extent that it ruins the film experience. McAdams is beautiful and pulls off her part quite well but it is Clarkson and Cooper who give the best performances. I'm also surprised that people have taken this film too seriously (to the point that they missed the humour which I thought was creatively done and hilarious). The element of drama is there but how could one miss the comedy? Sach's writing is superb and the direction is solid. I liked how the events unfold and Coopers's character's attempts to get what he wants and his surprise reaction towards the unexpected results. I find the title a little misleading. Yes, the film is about a 'dying' marriage and its complexities but the title is a little too vague and the film focuses on much more than marriage. The score gracefully brings the feel of the 40s. Overall, Sachs has made a clever unconventional black comedy in a period piece.