SNMR 6.2: "The Story of Us"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "The Story of Us" (1999, R, 96 minutes), staring Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tim Matheson, Rita Wilson, Julie Hagerty, Rob Reiner and Paul Reiser (uncredited). The film was directed by Rob Reiner.

PLOT SUMMARY: Ben and Katie Jordan (Willis, Pfeiffer) were a happily married couple who had it all for fifteen years and now can hardly speak to each other without it turning into an argument. Voices raised, accusations fly and two people who once loved each other hover on the brink of the dreaded d-word.

MY OPINION: Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer are excellent in the lead roles and are very believable as a couple, so you can feel for them when they go through the struggles that they do. It also rings true that these are two people who still love each other very much and want to fix their problems but just don't know how to begin or who should start the ball rolling. The supporting cast is full of big names, and they all work to make the story realistic. Rob Reiner, as I believe I've said before in this space, is one of the greatest directors of this generation because he was an actor and can relate to his cast on a level that some directors struggle to do consistently.

I really liked this movie a lot because, having gone through marital struggles that eventually ended in a divorce, I can relate to what is happening on a personal level with these characters and want to see them reconcile. This movie will bring out the range of emotions in you if you've ever been in a relationship that has gone through ups and downs.

**** out of *****