Touches You

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Let's be realistic.

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Ben (Bruce Willis) and Katie Jordan (Michelle Pfeiffer) are married with two kids. They find themselves drifting apart after 15 years of marriage. After sending the kids away to summer camp, they try a trial separation.This wants to be 'Two for the Road' but it has no style. I'm not in love with that movie and this one is so much more inferior. It starts in a static depressing place that the movie never reaches takeoff speed. There is a manufactured feel to the whole enterprise. Their marriage in the various flashbacks seems lifeless and unreal at the same time. At no point do I feel an urge to root for the couple. Each spouse has their own circle of friends which they have a jokey time with. That doesn't work either.

OK.... I get the negative reviews if you're trying to process this movie straight on... If your expectation is cheesy romcom or a serious reflection of what marriage truly looks like then perhaps you might have some harsh comments to make. In my opinion, this movie does an excellent job of balancing between the two... Which to some may make it feel disjointed and not as smooth but I think it adds to the charm. I think one needs to consider how this movie could have been made. Yes it could have taken to the heights of what may be considered serious issues that arise through the course of 15-20 years of marriage ... But is that going to be entertaining and a pleasant way to spend your evening? Instead you see that the highlighted issues between Katie and Ben may seem initially trivial, comical, unrealistic (insert your own descriptor here), but does the heart of that issue not reflect some truth in what partners battle when being married for eons? I found it cleverly hidden to allow for people to identify and interpret as something that they could relate to... Not lets take the whole argument literally as that's exactly what happens to everyone, or on the other end of the spectrum... This mirrors your real life so much why the hell would you want to pay the price of a movie ticket to watch it on a big screen...Yes there is arguing... A lot of it... And certainly you probably need to have a certain sense of humour to get Willis and Reiner and their tops of the legs humour (which I personally found hilarious... Then again my humour is quite broad). Michelle's touching speech at the end is a bit hammy.... Again... I think it was meant to be. Touching, thought provoking, poignant, with some air and humour and lightness. In a nutshell, it's all about the expectations you have. If you open yourself up to it, it's a very enjoyable movie. You get to see a side of Bruce that isn't common, Michelle is gorgeous to watch throughout, she is delightful and resonates all that is pfeifferesque - essentially why pfans will watch whatever she decides she wants to star in.

This movie is without a doubt not anywhere near a comedy. It does have some humor in it, but not much. However, that in itself does not take away from the movie. It is a superb movie! I highly recommend it for both married couples and couples in general.Young adults may not care for it because it focuses on the trial and tribulation of marriage. However, it is a reminder to couples to remember why the got together in the first place. "The Story of US" truly touches on the reality of relationship, in this case real marital relationships.I found myself comparing scenes in this movie to similar experiences in my own life. Not all relationships end up quite the same as the couple in this movie, but it certainly makes you think, what could we have done differently to make it work?Bruce Willis's performance was truly outstanding. It is one of his best performances that I have seen. Michelle Pfeiffer's performance was outstanding, as well. She has, IMO, played all the roles that I have seen her in, very well. However, this role was exceptionally good. Together, Willis and Pfeiffer created a truly realistic portrayal of a married couple in torment and agony, trying to determine the fate of their diminishing relationship.I am sorry I never seen it until now! I feel the cast and crew of this movie truly deserved their pay.

The movie might have been somewhat slow at times, but overall I enjoyed it. It was real. It was not a typical Hollywood marriage movie. My husband and I enjoyed the way movie went through the years of the marriage. I enjoyed Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer---I think they had good chemistry together. Years after having seen it, my husband and I still refer to little things we remember from the movie--great for real married couples---even if there is a good bit of arguing in it. :) It is also one of those movies that keeps you on your toes and keeps you guessing. I think people who have been married, people who have experienced struggles, would be able to identify with this movie.