The Lovers (2017)

Debra Winger and Tracy Letts play a long-married, dispassionate couple who are both in the midst of serious affairs. But on the brink of calling it quits, a spark between them suddenly reignites, leading them into an impulsive romance.

Director:

Azazel Jacobs

Writer:

Azazel Jacobs

Stars:

Debra Winger, Tracy Letts, Aidan Gillen

4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Debra Winger	...	Mary
Tracy Letts	...	Michael
Aidan Gillen	...	Robert
Melora Walters	...	Lucy
Tyler Ross	...	Joel
Jessica Sula	...	Erin
Lesley Fera	...	Susan
Barry Eisen	...	Michael's Co-Worker
Wayne Alon Scott	...	Butcher
Vanessa Campbell	...	Dance Receptionist (as Vanessa Christelle)
Jeff Cairns	...	Bar Guitarist

Storyline

Mary (Debra Winger) and Michael (Tracy Letts) are a married couple. They live together, but are estranged from one another. They are both having long-standing extramarital affairs-she with Robert (Aidan Gillen) and he with Lucy (Melora Walters). Their lovers have both emphatically demanded they break up the marriage and Mary and Michael have vowed that they will do so after a visit from their son, Joel (Tyler Ross), and his new girlfriend, Erin (Jessica Sula)..

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | husband wife relationship | adultery | eyeglasses | prologue | 

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Taglines:

A love so strong it can survive marriage

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Szeretők

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$66,286, 5 May 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,194,521, 14 July 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

A24

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although playing characters of the same age, Debra Winger is actually over ten years older than co-star Tracy Letts. Winger was born in May of 1955 while Letts was born during July of 1965.

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Quotes

Erin: So, when you met Mary, you were a musician?
Michael: A long, long time ago.
Erin: Oh.
Michael: I sold her a bill of goods.
Erin: Well, we all change.
Michael: Yeah. It's too bad.

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Soundtracks

It Must Be Love
Written by Labi Siffre
Performed by Tracy Letts and Northwest Sinfonia

User Reviews

Indie comedy is simplistic but entertaining.

This light, breezy comedy starring Debra Winger and Tracy Letts follows a husband and wife--both of which are having an extramarital affair. As the film progresses, they begin to discover clues and eventually find out that they are both seeing someone else. Through a clever incorporation of dramatic and situational irony throughout the narrative, viewers will learn what will happen to their marriage. The acting in the film is generally very good, as Winger and Letts play their roles with charisma and a solid amount of passion and effort. The script is generally well-written and very down-to-earth. At a relatively fleeting 94 minutes, the plot moves along swiftly and is generally paced quite well. The aesthetic technique of the film is very simple in nature, with a violin-based score and relatively few set pieces. None of that, however, takes away from the viewer's experience watching the film. However, I do have a few criticisms of the film. My biggest complaint is that the use of parallelism in scenes that trade off between depicting Winger's character and Letts' character was often distracting. Additionally, the climax and ending feels a little rushed. That said, this is a solid and enjoyable independent film. Recommended. 7/10