Married Life (2008)
-
55% of critics liked it
(116 reviews) -
36% of users liked it
(4,845 ratings)
After entering into a passionate affair with a much younger woman, an unhappily married man resorts to murder as a means of eliminating his wife in director Ira Sachs' period melodrama. Set in the 1940s, Marriage tells the tale of Harry (Chris Cooper) -- a man whose wife, Pat (Patricia… More After entering into a passionate affair with a much younger woman, an unhappily married man resorts to murder as a means of eliminating his wife in director Ira Sachs' period melodrama. Set in the 1940s, Marriage tells the tale of Harry (Chris Cooper) -- a man whose wife, Pat (Patricia Clarkson), only wants sex. Smitten by the beautiful Kay (Rachel McAdams) but ultra-sensitive to his wife's feelings -- so sensitive that he can't stand the thought of breaking her heart -- Harry opts to poison his wife as a means of allowing the marriage to end with her pride still intact. Harry's scheme soon goes horribly awry, however, when after revealing the plan to his best friend, Richard (Pierce Brosnan), Richard too falls in love with the ethereal young beauty and sets into motion a cunning plan all his own. A serpentine tale of murderous deception, Marriage was co-scripted by director Sachs and screenwriter Oren Moverman. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Ira Sachs
- Written By
- John Bingham, Oren Moverman
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Mar 7, 2008 Limited
- Studio
- Sony Classics
Critic Reviews
-
Paul Fairclough, Time Out
It looks beautiful, and the convoluted plotting is initially the right side of Hitchcock pastiche, but the central conundrum is teased out over so many twists and false climaxes that ultimately it's a shrug, not a shock, which greets the denouement.
-
Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com
Sachs combines humor, suspense, and twists of plot that keep the ground shifting under our feet.
-
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's as dry as the martinis these well-dressed stiffs keep ordering at that perfectly preserved oak, leather and velvet bar before hopping into their vintage convertibles.
-
Kevin Craft, Miami Herald
It oscillates between stale period piece and unengaging melodrama, coyly seducing viewers with the potential it fails to fulfill.
-
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Offers audiences movie pleasures, as well as emotionally authentic challenges.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Pierce Brosnan
as Richard Langley
-
Chris Cooper
as Harry Allen
-
Rachel McAdams
as Kay Nesbitt
-
Patricia Clarkson
as Pat Allen
-
David Wenham
as John O'Brien
-
Sheila Paterson
as Mrs. Walsh
-
David Richmond-Peck
as Tom
-
Erin Boyes
as Becky
-
Elijah St. Germain
as Little Charlie
-
Terence Kelly
as Dr. Anderson
-
Timothy Webber
as Alvin Walters
-
Rebecca Codling
as Photo Store Clerk
-
Dolores Drake
as Ticket Taker
-
Malcom Boddington
as Well-Tailored Man
-
Carrie Anne Fleming
as Operator
-
Sean Tyson
as Policeman
-
Ty Olsson
as Policeman
-
Anna Williams
as O'Brien's Girlfriend
-
Alex Stevens
as Charades Player
-
Suzanne Ristic
as Charades Player
-
Fred Keating
as Charades Player
-
Kathleen Duborg
as Charades Player
-
Mike Cook
as Charades Player
-
Dale Floyd
as Charades Player
- Pauline Crawford
