The Story of Us (1999)

28% of critics liked it
(81 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(29,979 ratings)

Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer star in this romantic comedy as Ben and Katie Jordan, a couple who have been married for fifteen years. They have two great kids, a nice home, and a comfortable life, but somewhere down the line, the spark went out of their marriage, and they find that they don't… More Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer star in this romantic comedy as Ben and Katie Jordan, a couple who have been married for fifteen years. They have two great kids, a nice home, and a comfortable life, but somewhere down the line, the spark went out of their marriage, and they find that they don't really love each other anymore. With their relationship at a crossroads, Ben and Katie, two different people who have never felt more different, have to decide if they want to try to salvage their marriage, or if it's time to move on. The Story of Us was directed by Rob Reiner, and features Julie Hagerty, Tim Matheson, Paul Reiser, Tom Poston, Rita Wilson, and Jayne Meadows. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Rob Reiner
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 15, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Feb 15, 2000
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
This Story doesn't really deliver it.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
This one gets stuck in a rut pretty early on and has difficulty rising out of it.
Peter Brunette, Film.com
Sloppy.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Pungent, funny, and surprisingly forceful.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
The whole has a skittish quality.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
You almost want this couple to divorce.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Lightheartedly conveys that the sources of marital love can be renewed even after a period of spiritual dryness.
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel, 3BlackChicks Review
There is no need to run right out. See a Matinee.
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
One of those awkward, cookie-cutter films that looks like the child of Sitcom Dad and Melodrama Mom.
Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
You can get all of this free on television any week, so why pay for it?

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Martin S

Hey...If I want relationship trouble I'll get a wife and start picking on all that she does. Pfeiffer was good though.
Dean M

Director Rob Reiner's somber study of the collapse of a 15-year marriage probably wasn't intended to be so depressing. In using a continual flashback/flashforward style of storytelling, he ends up putting too much emphasis on the bickering between heartbroken mates and not… More
Director Rob Reiner's somber study of the collapse of a 15-year marriage probably wasn't intended to be so depressing. In using a continual flashback/flashforward style of storytelling, he ends up putting too much emphasis on the bickering between heartbroken mates and not enough on their early years of love and harmony. This lack of balance mars what might have been a touching, involving movie.
Keysha H

I love this film. Rob Reiner rocks. The story winds as a couple grows apart and somehow back together. Seems to show a true version of love and all that comes with it.
Jason S

This wasn't all that good.
Leigh R

Willis and Pfeiffer are brilliant.
Todd S

The Story of Us is one of those movies, where the title tells you everything you need to know about the movie. I am by no means a fan of these sappy romantic comedies, however I do sometimes go out of my comfort zone for a movie that has a great cast. Bruce Willis is easily one of my… More
The Story of Us is one of those movies, where the title tells you everything you need to know about the movie. I am by no means a fan of these sappy romantic comedies, however I do sometimes go out of my comfort zone for a movie that has a great cast. Bruce Willis is easily one of my favorite actors and having seen almost everything he's done, I rented this. What can I say? It's the story about meeting your soul mate, getting married, and the ups & downs associated with family life. There are no surprises and there is nothing special here. I didn't find the movie particularly funny and even at 96 minutes, it still felt very long. If you're into these sappy romantic comedies, you might like it, you might not. I was just indifferent too it. The Story of Us didn't impress me, but I didn't hate it either.
Deb S

Ben and Katie Jordon (Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer) are a couple who after 15 years of being married to each other, are trying to figure out what has gone wrong in his marriage. They want to separate, but decide to stick around for the sake of their children. While their kids… More
Ben and Katie Jordon (Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer) are a couple who after 15 years of being married to each other, are trying to figure out what has gone wrong in his marriage. They want to separate, but decide to stick around for the sake of their children. While their kids are away at summer camp, they reflect over how they met each other in flashback and present day and the good and bad times they had. Close friends of the couple (Rita Wilson, Rob Reiner) chime in with their observations. When all is said and done, will the couple uncover any reasons to stay together?
Sunil J

Wow. An emotional whirlwind that hit every romantic bone in my body.
Lee K

not bad , alot better then i thought it would be
Leo L

A favorite.