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?

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Plot Keywords:

divorce | best friend | poison | bachelor | widow | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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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.

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Quotes

Richard Langley: Whoever in this room who knows what goes on in the mind of the person who sleeps next to you... please, raise your hand... I know you can't, not honestly...

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Connections

References Road to Morocco (1942)

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Soundtracks

Say Your Mine
Written by Paul Cantelon
Performed by Paul Cantelon
Courtesy of Paul Cantelon

User Reviews

Totally Disagree with "Straight to Betamax"

Saw this last night at the premiere, and "Straight to Betamax" could not be more wrong. This is actually the first intelligent, smart and wonderfully acted film of the year, and both Patricia Clarkson and Chris Cooper give wonderful performances in a story which is intriguingly told and compellingly filmed.

I will agree with a few others that Pierce Brosnan seems a bit miscast in this picture, but not to the point that it ruins the film. Additionally, some of Rachel McAdams' dialogue seems a bit out of place for a character like her's during the period in which this story is set (it is supposed to take place in 1949), but she gives a great performance overall and her character is, for the most part (other than a few bad bits of out of place dialogue) fairly believable.

But Cooper and Clarkson are really wonderful in this film and Ira Sachs and company have done a terrific job with this story. Bravo.