So what does happen when a marriage just grinds to a
halt and you are left with just going through the daily motions with not even
bothering (daring?) to mention its demise?
This rather intimate and uncomfortable story is just about that when
after 31 years of marriage Kay & Arnold live separate lives in the same
home. There is no infidelity and no adultery
and the pair have long settled into a passionless routine which Arnold fills
with work and watching the Golf Channel on TV, whilst Kay tries to find out if
tshe really is missing out of something more.
Her search leads her to discover Dr. Feld a therapist
who runs intensive couple counseling courses.
Just getting frosty and crotchety Arnold there is a major achievement,
but getting him to participate in these soul-baring sessions will take a
miracle. It is all intensely personal
and excruciatingly painful, and as the ‘battle’ for their marriage and their
whole relationship swings somewhat precariously back and forth, there is never
any real inkling as to what the outcome will be.
Maybe it’s the ‘hopeless romantic’ trait in me but I
very soon became deeply engaged in this very mature no-holds barred dissection
of a marriage that seemed a little too close for comfort (even though I am very
single ….go figure!)
Excellent story line, great script, deftly directed by
David Frankel ('The Devil Wears Prada') but it's the inspired pairing of Meryl
Streep and Tommy Lee Jones that made this really one soar. Miss Streep is as always the ‘Gold Star of
acting’ and her ‘Kay’ was pitch perfect as the anxious undemanding wife who had
enough faith to want her marriage back.
But Mr Lee Jones was a great (and wonderful) surprise out of his usual
roles of tough men ('No Country for Old Men’ ‘Men In Black’ etc) as the irascible
and totally irritating Arnold who thought he was happy with the status quo.
Despite it’s billing, and even with Steve Carell’s subdued
Dr. Feld, this is far from being a comedy.
True there are some beautiful touches of humor especially when Kay tries
to push the sexual boundaries slightly, but marriage, as seen here is a very serious
business. A joy too though …. just like
this movie.
★★★★★★★★
★★★★★★★★
