Married Life (2007)

A 1940s-set drama where an adulterous man plots his wife's death instead of putting her through the humiliation of a divorce.

Director:

Ira Sachs

Writers:

Ira Sachs (screenplay), Oren Moverman (screenplay)

Stars:

Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Rachel McAdams

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Cooper	...	Harry Allen
Annabel Kershaw	...	Miss Jones
Pierce Brosnan	...	Richard Langley
Patricia Clarkson	...	Pat Allen
Rachel McAdams	...	Kay Nesbitt
Sheila Paterson	...	Mrs. Walsh
David Richmond-Peck	...	Tom
Erin Boyes	...	Becky
Elijah St. Germain	...	Little Charlie
Terence Kelly	...	Dr. Anderson
Timothy Webber	...	Alvin Walters
Rebecca Codling	...	Photo Store Clerk
David Wenham	...	John O'Brien
Dolores Drake	...	Cinema Cashier
Malcolm Boddington	...	Well-Tailored Man

Storyline

The late 1940s. Richard Langley, a bachelor playboy, narrates a story that starts when his best friend, Harry Allen, invites him to lunch to tell Richard he's in love. Trouble is, Harry's already married to Pat; he worries Pat would be hurt too deeply by a divorce. Then, Harry's new love, Kay, joins them. Richard is smitten, so when he finds out that Pat may be in love with someone else but won't tell Harry because she fears he would be too hurt, Richard can't decide if he should let all the cats out of the bag. He'd unite pairs of lovers, but he'd lose Kay. Meanwhile, Harry decides that a swift end to Pat's life would be more kind than divorcing her. He buys poison. Murder will out?

---

Plot Keywords:

divorce | best friend | poison | bachelor | widow | 

---

Taglines:

Do you know what really goes on in the mind of the person with whom you sleep?

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics [United States]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Marriage

Filming Locations:

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,851, 9 March 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,506,998, 29 June 2008

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,843,997, 30 November 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment,Anonymous Content,Firm Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Richard Langley sees the film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman in a movie theater in 1949, two years before movie's release.

---

Quotes

Richard Langley: I'm not at all certain that one can build happiness upon the unhappiness of someone else

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: College Road Trip/Snow Angels/Married Life/Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day/City of Men (2008)

---

Soundtracks

Thinking About My Baby
Written by Jay McShann
Performed by Jay McShann
Courtesy of Tuff City Records
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

A smart and insightful exploration of social mores

I love MARRIED LIFE!! It is a well crafted and beautifully written movie. By appearing to be a traditional noir, the film plays on the audience's expectations of the genre but then turns out to be something very different--something far more sad, funny and soulful. By having the traditional voice-over and haunting music at the outset, MARRIED LIFE subverts the viewer's expectations and draws us into a story that is utterly unique.

Characters in the film are not whom they appear to be--I like how all the leads are introduced as archetypes (e.g., the unhappily married business man, the cad, the long suffering wife, the pretty young widow) but each not only turns out to be different than expected, all four go through some sort of transition that deepens their humanity. They may be imperfect people and lacking in insight, but the audience feels empathy for their struggles. Given their array of poor choices, this is pretty amazing--their yearnings are poignant, even when their actions are deeply misguided. Humans are capable of being incredibly narcissistic and giving at the same time--the movie illustrates this with a mix of humor and pathos. The characters may be unable or unwilling to stop their most primal urges, yet we are rooting for them to find some happiness all the way to the end.

This film is wonderfully shot. Period details are rendered with loving care--whether it is the glorious costumes or the sweeping set design. Performances are top notch -- a true ensemble cast who look and sound like they are from a bygone era. A rich score magnifies the shifting moods without giving you whiplash. This is a complex movie that demands we see the world in shades of gray -- life is never simple. Especially married life!