Rating: Summary: It Does Strike a Chord Review: I agree with the first three reviews of this film that it isn't what I would call a great film (it had a lot of potential it never quite lived up to). But when I saw it at the movies, I was either shedding tears out of pain for the characters situation (and my situation), or pointing a silent finger at the screen and going "YES!" (in a movie whisper!) (as in that's happened, or is happening, in my marriage (doesn't say much for my marriage, I know!)). Coincidentally just prior to the release of the movie my husband and I decided to separate, and I saw it a couple of weeks later at a matinee, and could swear Rob Reiner had been snooping at our window as our marriage deteriorated. It does have some "hit the nail on the head" insights to what can happen to a marriage, and in that I found it comforting to know my worries, and mistakes, were not so unusual. The last couple of minutes were not what I would call realistic-I never felt that the decision that was reached in the marriage had quite been validated by the characters actions, reactions or emotional exploration of what had lead them to the break in the first place. So it was a disappointment in the end as it didn't seem to give enough validity to the future success of the relationship. I plan on buying it and rewatching when it gets to a reasonable price. Maybe I'll ask my estranged husband to also. It is worth watching, if only that it may make you feel a little better about your life!
Rating: Summary: I cried the whole way thru! Review: The Story of Us moved me. I related to this movie so much, that I cried almost the whole way thru! I think the portrayl of this married couple was so real and sincere. When you see past glimpses of their lives, it makes you look back on your own life in a similar way. This movie had a very personal impact on me and I recommend seeing it to anyone!
Rating: Summary: Great! .........Touching yet Funny! Review: This certainly isn't worth an Oscar...But this film has both its sad and emotional parts, as well as its funny moments from the supporting cast. The chemistry displayed in the movie isn't great; but nor should it be after all this is supposed to be a couple having trouble with their marriage. Both Willis and Pfeiffer give an excellent performance in this extremely touching, funny, and romantic film.
Rating: Summary: This Story Sounds Familiar Review: I always appreciate two things about a Rob Reiner movie: the casting and the dialogue. I know that the casting director is the brains behind the first and the writer is behind the second, but I think Reiner is usually a magnet for good talent. Which is not to say that he's bulletproof. The Story of Us shows that even great directing and casting can't save a film with a lukewarm script.I enjoyed The Story of Us insofar as it was a somewhat engaging tale of a marriage in ruin. All of the usual cliches were thrown out. There was no infidelity, no abuse, no financial struggle. In the case of Ben (Bruce Willis, The Sixth Sense) and Katie (Michelle Pfeiffer, A Midsummer Night's Dream), they just ran out of love. After 15 years of marriage, they didn't want to be married any more. But the movie failed when it tried to recapture the magic of Reiner's earlier film When Harry Met Sally.... Using interview-style narratives, multiple flashbacks, and diametrically opposing characters it feels reminiscent of the other work. This is not a coincidence. When Reiner set out to make The Story of Us, he likened it to "Harry and Sally 15 years later." This alone, however, does not invalidate the movie. After all, he spared the world a sequel, and for that he deserves some praise. The Story of Us is smart and funny, it makes us laugh and feel sad. But the film never became real enough for me. I never cared enough about the characters to get into the story. As a result, I was aware my feelings were being manipulated. While the scenes between Willis and Pfeiffer are often wonderful, supporting cast members like Paul Reiser, Rita Wilson, and Reiner himself are delegated to bit parts that rarely move the story forward. Dinner talk sounds more like stand-up comedy routines than real conversation. Likewise, Tim Matheson pops up like a cardboard villain. His appearance and disappearance are equally unexplained. If not for Willis and Pfeiffer, the movie wouldn't be at all convincing. There's a real possibility that I didn't "get" The Story of Us because I'm a guy. I'll be the first to admit that I have to be in just the right mood for a "chick flick." One of the people I went with said she would have given this movie a ten. A ten? I think that's a little extreme, considering it isn't even in the same league as movies like American Beauty. Still, for what it's worth, that's one woman's opinion. In my opinion, The Story of Us was an interesting little movie without any warm & fuzzy feelings. It won't be that memorable in the long run. I'll stick with the classics, or at least something written by Nora Ephron.
Rating: Summary: When Harry Left Sally... Review: Occasionally shallow, occasionally moving, 'The Story of Us' is a rollercoaster ride through a couple's relationship, focusing on the myriad moments that defined their love, hate, and indifference. Structurally, the film is almost a clone of Rob Reiner's earlier 'When Harry Met Sally', complete with actor-to-audience monologues, flashforwards and flashbacks, and wisecracking supporting characters who are occasionally more interesting than the leads. The subject, a marriage that is unravelling, does not necessarily make for a great theatre date movie (I can't see somebody saying, "Hey, baby, let's go see 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf' to get in 'the mood'"), but on video, the film's many subtleties and moods can be truly appreciated. The two leads, Bruce Willis, as a laid-back, disorganized comedy writer, and Michelle Pfeiffer, as a tightly-wound writer of crossword puzzles, have a lot of charm, but give uneven performances. One wishes that Willis' intensity and energy in the restaurant scene with Rob Reiner and Rita Wilson, or Pfeiffer's, in the climactic speech at the film's conclusion, could have been maintained through the entire film. There are a few too many moments where the actors coast, for the film to be truly great. The high point of the film comes near the conclusion, when Pfeiffer flashes back through a montage of the major moments of her marriage. Until this sequence, the relationship doesn't have an emotional core, something to really make us sympathize with the couple. Reiner depends heavily on the stars' charisma to involve us, but the nature of the story works against this. This isn't a knock at Willis and Pfeiffer; I'm not sure Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan could have pulled it off, either! The supporting cast is very good, particularly Reiner and Wilson (she's making a career of playing wise-cracking friends to neurotic women in big films!), Paul Reisner and Julie Hagerty (nice to see her back, she looks marvellous!), and Tim Matheson, (who manages to make a divorced, lonely dentist, trying to connect, not come across as his character in 'Animal House'.) Watch, also, for a funny cameo by Betty White, Red Buttons, Jayne Meadows, and Tom Poston, literally manifesting the line about six people being in a married couple's bed. 'The Story of Us' is not as good a film as it might have been, but it does offer some excellent moments, and the upbeat ending offers hope that, through understanding, relationships do not have to self-destruct. This isn't a bad message to pass along!
Rating: Summary: SIMPLY WONDERFUL! Review: An outstanding film, The Story of Us, sheds light on a married couple trying to put their lives in order while their two children are away at summer camp. The couple takes advantage of their children's absence to figure out what they want in life and whether that includes each other!
It is a film about human relations, hope and second chances, but most importantly about trust, love, and inner strength.
Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and the rest of the cast, have outdone themselves with their performances, which are exceptional to say the least. All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows (the chemistry is AMAZING)! Very well written and very well presented, the movie is without a doubt guaranteed to provide more than just a few laughs, not to mention quite a few tears. The film is simple enough, but does a great job of describing people's every day lives and the problems they face. It just goes to show that simplicity is often far better than complexity, when trying to present issues of a human nature.
The setting, the plot, the dialogues, the humor, and the music are all wonderful!
In short, The Story of Us is a movie definitely worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection!
Rating: Summary: Painful to watch Review: This movie is NOT a movie I would have picked to watch on my own. Although I like all the folks involved in the making of this movie....actors, actresses and the director, I knew from the previews I would NOT enjoy this movie.....I don't find self destruction entertaining. However, the movie was not only assigned by my professor, it WAS our final test. I ended up watching the darn thing 7 times before the test. The first few times were painful. It got better after that but only because I knew the ending. If you are looking for escapism and fun....do not rent or buy this movie! If you are studying Marriage and Family life and want to see all the ways NOT to make marriage work, then by all means....get this movie.
Rating: Summary: Realistic and funny Review: This is a romantic comedy that stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis as a married couple that are going through some difficult times. The movie depicts a lot of realistic problems that all couples experience in a relationship, but it does it with director Rob Reiner's fabulous sense of humor. The flashback sequence that Pfeiffer's character has near the end of the film is especially enjoyable.
Rating: Summary: BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I LOVED IT Review: This is one of the most romantic, sweetest movies in my collection. Rob Reiner has done it again. I especially like the High/Low game...I play the game with my family now.
Rating: Summary: what can a movie do to your life Review: when I first saw this movie it didnt hit me, but as my life went by, I realized I had seen an amazing movie, a movie that truly changed my point of view according to my relationship. This is a movie that shows how real relationships as time passes by, you realize that there are bad things in your relationship, but that those things are the ones that make it real, and make it worth something. When you see movies like this, you realize that love is not easy, not even when you really love somebody, but you also realize that love can make you upcome any problems, and that life is based on bad things, that really make up appreciate the good things, that make us love and make us think that our life is worth living it, thanks to that wonderful person, which is the person you love.
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