Film Review: The Story of Us (1999)

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(source: tmdb.org)

Hollywood traditionally equated marriage with happy end and it was the aim protagonists of its films were supposed to strive for. The Story of Us, 1999 film directed by Rob Reiner, takes different approach and in it the marriage is starting point for the drama. Protagonists are Katie (played by Michelle Pfeiffer) and Ben Jordan (played by Bruce Willis), Los Angeles middle-class couple who have been together for 15 years, they enjoy successful careers and have two adorable children. Their relationship, however, isn’t working any more; they barely communicate with each other and any attempt to mend fences only result with another round of pointless quarrels. The only reason why they maintain illusion of happy marriage are children. When they go to a summer camp, for Jordans this represents an opportunity for trial separation which should prepare them for inevitable divorce. During that period, both reminisce about the past and analyse reasons why they fell out of love with each other, but also they try to find reasons for staying together.

Rob Reiner enjoyed great string of successes in 1980s, but 1990s were quite different story. The Story of Us was greeted very poorly by usually sympathetic critics. The reason might be found in the film being advertised as romantic comedy. What is presented on screen is actually a drama which very seriously tries to dissect a marriage and reasons why it falls apart. The script by Alan Zweibel and Jessie Nelson, inspired very much by their own failed marriages, provides a lot of depressive content. Realistic approach, in which marriage isn’t “happily ever after” but actually a start of story which might not end very happilly, looks quite atypical for Hollywood. Reiner only tries a little humour with scenes in which Katie discusses male-female relationship with her friends, while Ben does the same with his agent. Reiner also uses flashbacks very effectively. Unfortunately, his efforts are compromised by miscasting Michelle Pfeiffer who, for some unfathomable reasons, lacks chemistry with Willis and delivers one of the worst performances of her career. General impression is made worse by the ending which conforms to Hollywood cliches and conventions in predictable and syrupy way. Willis, on the other hand, delivered a good role, reminding audience that he had built stardom by playing light comedy in Moonlighting. Eric Clapton also helps film with his simple but effective music soundtrack. Although far from Reiner’s classics from decade earlier, The Story of Us is a watchable film that could be recommended to audience with lower expectations.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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