Married Life
Dir Ira Sachs, featuring Chris Cooper, Patricia Clarkson, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan (PG)
By Ruth Hessey
How deeply we love and hate when married, or even just mating, is the topic of this polished film starring Pierce Brosnan and Rachel McAdams. They are the big names, but the film is kicked along by Chris Cooper and Patricia Clarkson. Harry (Cooper) admits to his friend, bachelor Richard (Brosnan), that he has fallen in love with a beautiful young girl.
Kay (McAdam) makes an entrance worthy of Bacall or Bergman. How is Harry to follow his heart when he knows how much suffering it will inflict on Pat, his partner? And how is Richard to pry this priceless young widow from his best friend's arms? The plot darkens as Harry fantasises about the kindest way to rid himself of his wife.
Instead of murder, envy and lust, we are left, like many married couples, grappling with ennui.