Married Life - Movie Review

Married Life (PG-13) 90 minutes A-
Crimes and Misdemeanors of Love

Starring Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, and Rachel McAdams

Married Life is a stylish and well-acted film about love, marriage and happiness. Set in the late 40's/early 50's, director Ira Sachs examines the discontent, deception and morality within one couple's long-term union. Married Life has the feel of a chess match- slow and calculated, yet intriguing and suspenseful.

Harry (Chris Cooper) is an accomplished businessman who wants to leave his wife (Patricia Clarkson) for his younger mistress (Rachel McAdams). It's not sex that Harry is lacking in his marriage, it's the romance and intellectual connection he craves from his mistress.

Harry, for all intents and purposes is a "nice guy". Yes he's having an affair but he truly doesn't want to hurt his wife. The heart wants what the heart wants, and he'd rather kill her (poison her) than have her suffer from a broken heart. So it's settled, instead of asking for a divorce he decides to murder her.

Problem is, Harry introduces his mistress to his womanizing best friend (Pierce Brosnan), who instantly becomes smitten with the platinum beauty.

I really enjoyed this film and I thought that the performances we outstanding. Patricia Clarkson can do no wrong in my book! Chris Cooper is wonderful, and Pierce Brosnan continues to impress me with his savoir-faire.

Probably not for everyone, but definitely worthwhile for those cinephiles with distinguishing taste.