THE STORY OF US ***1/2 (out of five stars) A review by Jamey Hughton
Starring-Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson and Paul Reiser Director-Rob Reiner Rated PG Released October 1999 Universal
MOVIE VIEWS by Jamey Hughton http://Welcome.to/MovieViews
Don't be ashamed if you think of your marriage or relationship during segments of `The Story of Us'. Although his presentation is problematic, director Rob Reiner successfully navigates a mine field of clichés to deliver a truthful and touching romance. Some may argue that the constant, hateful bickering of the two main characters is depressing to watch transpire. But, surprisingly, it does wonders for the one vital element that a successful romance requires: realism.
`The Story of Us' is the story of Ben and Katie Jordan (Bruce Willis & Michelle Pfeiffer), a separated couple who have reached the crucial juncture of contemplating divorce. He's an accomplished writer, she's a crossword puzzle creator - and over the course of a rocky 15-year marriage, both have grown apart from each other. The only reason Ben and Katie remain bonded by marriage is their two children. Even though they have lost the spark that once lit their relationship, both want to avoid leaving an entire family in devastated ruins due to their unfortunate inadequacies.
Out of the gate, substantial problems surface for Reiner & company. Ben and Katie talk directly to the camera in personal monologues to share their separate, opinionated views. We've all become accustomed to this approach, haven't we? But just as `The Story of Us' seems destined for failure, Reiner straps us in and provides an overwhelming roller-coaster of emotions. The most surprising thing is that these emotions seem genuine and heartfelt, and not manipulative or preachy. We laugh and cry along with these characters, because if we were placed in a similar situation, our actions would not be indifferent. If this is a strategic form of manipulation, then it is effective and impressively disguised.
Chalk down another point for Bruce Willis, who delivers his second excellent performance of 1999 (the first was his restrained, effective execution in `The Sixth Sense'). Give the man, who is normally accustomed to firing machine guns and thwarting evil terrorists, due credit for flexing his dramatic muscles with such success (just for the record, Willis also gave a strong performance as an imaginary pink bunny in Reiner's abysmal orphan comedy `North'). Pfeiffer is equally wonderful, despite the glaring fact that her character does not possess the clear, accentuated definition that Ben does. Both actors have lovely, touching instances of understated power - each breaking through the threshold to truthfully capture a moment in time. These brief seconds are so well realized that they make `The Story of Us' worthwhile as a whole.
What are these instances? Well, Willis has a knockout scene in which he boils over with rage in a restaraunt, and Pfeiffer deals a climactic speech that brought teary eyes to the majority of viewers at the screening I attended. As good friends of the Jordan's, Rob Reiner and Rita Wilson are highly amusing and compatible together, but the talented Paul Reiser (as Ben's agent) gets cornered with the film's worst material. There's an early drought that slips into unfunny, perverse humor, but `The Story of Us' gradually develops into a real charmer.
Reiner has dealt with similar material before, namely the acclaimed romance `When Harry Met Sally'. There's wonderful assurance behind some of the crucial scenes, even if it feels strangely minor and trifling. What it all comes down to is a credible, amusing and affecting tale of two `real' people negotiating themselves through a `real' situation. If Reiner breaks any rules, it has to be the questionable finale. But the actors do so well painting an accurate portrait of a tumultuous separation that it actually seems to work. It's hard to pull something like that off, folks.
If you have the hankering for a phony, artificial romance - the happily-ever-after type - stay away from `The Story of Us'. This is the real dirt on the study of romance.
(C) 1999, Jamey Hughton
MOVIE VIEWS by Jamey Hughton http://Welcome.to/MovieViews
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