User Reviews

This is a disturbing, bittersweet romantic comedy about two people who's 15 year marriage is unraveling. Actually, it is more of a romantic tragedy than a comedy. Ben and Katie Jordan (Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer) are two mismatched people in the marriage that never should have been. He is spontaneous, romantic and impulsive, with low frustration tolerance and an explosive hair trigger temper. She is pragmatic, a compulsive perfectionist with unrealistic expectations, and a high need for control. She takes everything personally and never forgives or forgets a slight. They both blame each other for their disappointments. The pattern is clear. He doesn't meet her standards so she snipes, he explodes and then she accuses him of not listening. She then throws up every mistake he's ever made and every fault he's ever had. This goes on ad nauseam as their romantic obsession with one another continues to get the best of any sense they might have to call it quits. Like moths to a flame, they keep returning for another scorching.

This film is thought provoking in that it portrays marital difficulties that are all too familiar in our society. The problem is that it tries to give every problem known to man (with the exception of wife beating) to this couple and relies on the single strand of a long forgotten romance to be the only chance of keeping them together.

In watching the behind the scenes featurette on this film, Rob Reiner and writers Alan Zweibel and Jessie Nelson discuss how the story evolved. As it turns out, it was a montage of all their own marital problems. So the film was, in essence cathartic dumping ground for the writers and director.

As filmmaking, it was terrific. Rob Reiner weaves the story together expertly, creating a stark contrast between the joy of the romance and the reality of the relationship. The film was punctuated by numerous funny and sweet moments that make the viewer smile and glow with delight.

Michelle Pfeiffer gives a splendid performance of a very emotionally complex and neurotic character. It took a lot of courage for her to take this part because she was playing the least likeable character in the film, something of a departure for her. Bruce Willis was as good as one could have expected considering the fact that nobody was blowing anything up. Actually, he was quite good as the impulsive, childlike romantic, but when it came to the arguments and the serious displays of resentment, he played the scenes too harshly, almost commando style.

Reiner does good camera work and puts together some good rapid fire scenes that have impact and give great insight into the relationship. He also took the film on location in Venice to add a little romantic interlude, and somehow got Eric Clapton to write a great theme song.

The problem is the story. Reiner stated in the featurette that he intended this to be a realistic bittersweet look at the real problems relationships face. But he tried to do too much and made this film a grossly exaggerated caricature of a relationship in crisis. It is really "The War of The Roses" lite only it takes itself too seriously. No one I know who saw this could believe that this couple could possibly have stayed married for 15 weeks, no less 15 years.

The result is a noxious marathon of petty arguments that get under the viewers' skin after a while. It is about as entertaining as watching your best friends have a niggling argument in a public restaurant. The whole thing leaves you very uncomfortable and you don't go home feeling like you've had a nice evening.

So, while it succeeds as filmmaking, it fails as a film. I gave this film a 6/10. There were so many good elements to it that I can't see trashing it. But the story is one that requires a level of emotional endurance that few viewers will be willing or able to invest to get any enjoyment out of it.

This movie holds so much truth; it cannot possibly be watched by anyone, man or woman who are or who have been in a serious relationship without any such crying at some point during it, or at least being strongly enough emotionally affected to do so. I cried. I cried before the opening credits song was more than a few lines in. It spoke to me like few movies have. It is the first movie about the subject of love that I've watched since I became this involved, physically and emotionally with my wife-to-be. That alone makes the movie have an impact on me, good or not. That it dealt with a subject that has so recently become so important to me. A successful marriage. But while I was this into the film, while it had this impact on me... I can't claim that it was great. The performances are. The editing is. The script is. Most of the parts are. But somehow, the sum, it just doesn't add up to being that... great. It might be that the ending feels flat. It might be that the movie offers no answers, only observations. The movie goes back and forth between present day chaos/unhappiness and fond memories... these were particularly difficult to watch without crying. This works to the film's advantage and creates a sense of more than a non-linear time-line; a life-time, years upon years of memories returning to this old married couple. The story of two people who love each other... they do. They've just tired of each other, of the differences, of the arguing. Comes very close to being great, but it just doesn't quite make it, I'm afraid. Worth watching for any fans of the genre, and has plenty of insights to offer. I recommend this to anyone who is or has been in a serious relationship. 6/10

Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer are Ben and Katie Jordan in `The Story of Us', Rob Reiner's latest directorial effort. The Jordans have been married for 15 years and have reached a turning point in their relationship. Authors Alan Zweibel and Jesse Nelson explore the past and present of the couple in a mosaic of vignettes throughout the years they have been together. There are scenes of joy, laughter, anger and frustration. The film basically takes place in the present as the teenage son and daughter leave for summer camp. The couple decides to separate during the summer vacation to re-evaluate their situation and spare the children any suffering. The scenes jump back and forth revealing the deterioration and lack of any real communication in their day to day life. Zweibel explained in an interview that the screenplay was somewhat autobiographical, but when he realized the script was somewhat one-sided (male) he joined with Jesse Nelson to rewrite the script and deliver a more realistic and even-handed reflection of the marriage. They are fairly successful. However, Willis' Ben seems to be the more sympathetic of the two. In one scene Ben has just begun dinner out with his two best friends,a married couple played warmly and humorously by Rob Reiner and Rita Wilson. In a loud eruption of anger and resentment he voices his emotions disrupting the quiet tone of the restaurant. He leaves the table and paces outside on the street. In this tenderly revealing scene Willis, without a word, shows the life-shattering trauma he is going through. Willis has developed into a fine and subtly sensitive actor. Just when the audience thinks all of its sympathies are on Ben's side, Katie has a 3-minute monologue in which she spews out her reactions to all that has happened. Pfeiffer's performance here is also a tour de force. If only what has come before had the power of these two sequences. Eric Clapton's music effectively underscores the highs and lows, his song quietly framing the beginning and ending of the film. Married folks will definitely identify with this couple. One could hear the sounds of recognition from the audience at the screening I attended. It remains to be seen if this story will attract and entertain a wide range of moviegoers.

When "The Story of Us" opened in 1999, the critical disdain was so overwhelming, that my fiancee and I opted not to see it. After all, the ads focussed on its romantic comedy aspects, directed by Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally), and starred Bruce Willis (who had just undergone a public divorce).

In retrospect, it's easy to assume why it got panned... this is NOT a romantic comedy, although there are comedic elements. Those expecting a Harry/Sally II would be clearly be disappointed. Those expecting some insight to Bruce Willis' marriage, too, would be disappointed. The film is neither of those things.

Of course, had the associations not existed, and the ad campaign refocussed its efforts, the film would be far better respected. That's why time will be very kind to this film.

Not everything works. Some scenes, like the language of the women, are too profanity-laced to sound like real women (making David Mamet's writing seem like Jane Austen by comparison). There's a terrible scene with Willis in a restaurant--unrealistic, unfunny.

Why then recommend the film? Because the agony, the depth of painful emotions, are real. Find a better acting job by Willis or Pfieffer. Find one!!! Can't be done.

Do you not see it? Do you not recognize that this film has one foot firmly planted in the light comedy world, and another foot firmly planted in the incredible realism (almost too realistic) angst of a failing marriage? Do you not see it? Do you not hear Reiner's concerns projected in the scene where Willis requests to Reiser his dream of writing a book on his grandmother--is this not Reiner saying that he WOULD go further with the serious story here, but the audience, too set by his own past achievements, will not let him? Is this not exactly what happened, when _Story of Us_ was released?

Don't be fooled. This is one serious movie. It should be required viewing for all engaged couples. It's a fantastic wake-up call. The circumstances that lead up to the arguments are simplified, but the emotions are raw. I repeat, time will be very kind to this movie.

You know, Bruce Willis has made a lot of money playing an action guy and as much fun as the action movies are, he's also an excellent actor when called upon to do something more substantial. He should do more "serious" acting. The Story Of Us is dark but hopeful. Beware, this is not a comedy but a frequently heart wrenching look at a relationship. Although it has several comedic moments, don't see it if you're looking only to laugh; what you see in the teasers is not exactly what you get. Pfeiffer (also excellent, as usual) and Willis are a very good team and work well together; the supporting cast lends most of the lighter tone to the film with some interesting social commentary. Rob Reiner is not to be missed with a scene strangely similar to his Sleepless in Seattle appearance.

THE STORY OF US (1999) **1/2

Starring: Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, and Paul Reiser Director: Rob Reiner Running Time: 95 minutes Rated R (for language, thematic elements, and sex-related material)

By Blake French:

Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer make the perfect romantic couple; they're cute, cuddly and warm. Their smiles and joyful expressions make one wonder why no other casting director has come up with the idea of having the two of them star in a romantic comedy before. Unfortunately, Rob Reiner's "The Story of Us," isn't about marriage, love at first sight, or happy times, but about an unhappy couple's divorce procedures and how two people can fall out of love in a matter of time.

How depressing, indeed. The film consists of dozens of unorganized flashbacks explaining to us the up's and many down's of a married life in America, as well as the two past love birds, Ben and Katie Jordan's, attempts to keep their marital problems from their two young children.

The individual scenes featuring Ben and Katie either bonding or fighting are at times quite powerful and involving, as well as some emotionally on target moments along with some funny humor present--but all the good sequences are brief and chopped-up. The story is so uneven it's very hard to become intrigued with anything going on. There is a nice sequence that takes place in Italy where Ben and Katie try to escape from their problems and jump start their love--what they don't realize is that their good old selves will be waiting on the front porch when they return home. The problem with the film's singular scenes being effective is that they do not all fit together like they should, not to mention the heartache to develop and introduce the main characters through the flashbacks. That is not an easy thing to do, and "The Story of Us" is not a smart enough movie to figure out how to do those things properly.

The characters are acutely quite the treat. They are wonderfully played by top notch actors, some not commonly known for such roles as these, including Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, and even "Mad About You's" Paul Reiser. There's much charming romantic chemistry between Willis and Pfeiffer, but like I said, all the characters do is argue and swear at the other. The kids aren't detailed enough to care about, thus we don't care about the turning point in the middle of the film. Pfeiffer's performance at the very end of the movie, where it should be serious and intense, comes off as whiny, sissified, and annoying. I can't figure out how she screwed this one up. She's a good actress, right?

The structure in "The Story of Us," is anything but ordinary. Author Thomas Pope once said that there is such a justification in the extremely rare case of a movie being about life: the structure called life. There are certain incidences here that have a first act, second act, then conclusion, but no outright formula. But in this rare exception, the structure's material is fitting. Life has no structure to it, and for this movie to contain such realism, it must also not. This makes the story believable, engaging, and realistic; this reminds me of what many couples go through in present day in America.

"The Story of Us," contains such a flawed motive it's hard to imagine how this project could have worked. While I won't reveal the film's ending, I will say that the filmmakers throw their preparation for a depressing finale out the window and give us a conventional, but satisfying, conclusion. Perhaps if the writers would have used the flashbacks in sequence order, or taken a completely different view at the events, maybe through the eyes of the kids, possibly then the movie would have been a success. It is hard to tell, really. I personally think this film was doomed before it got the green light. It isn't the actors' faults, nor necessarily the director, Rob Reiner. It's just everything combined in a negative way.

There is a scene in "The Story of Us" where the meaning of the message in this movie flashes before our eyes. It is a sequence present in the film's trailers, and is made up of Katie's brief, intercut flashbacks reflecting back on all the good and bad times of the their 15 year marriage. The scene works in every way possible. And in some ways, it makes a long story short for us, summing up the entire film's existence. I don't know why this scene is so effective, but I do know one thing: if the entire movie was as focused and meaningful as that, we may have had something here.

Brought to you by Universal Pictures.

The good: Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis do a good job at portraying a couple whose marriage has been falling apart over the last 15 years. Despite their excessive screaming and yelling, you somehow still like them. Star quality, I presume.

The bad: This is a Lifetime TV movie-of-the-week, albeit with better actors. If you enjoy reliving unpleasant marriage memories with lame humor, then this film is for you. The film was mismarketed as a comedy. The few "funny" moments in this film were in the movie trailer. If you want laughs in a crumbling-marriage movie, please watch the hilarious "The Ref."

The ugly: The (un)"funny" friends--Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, and the abominable Paul Reiser. It's more the rotten lines written for them, rather than their acting, that bothered me. Their jokes are of the bad TV-sitcom variety, which does not fit in with the serious nature of the film. It's jarring and annoying. Poor Rita Wilson deserves better--normally she's really funny!

Bruce Willis takes a break from action flicks to star with Michelle Pheiffer in The Story Of Us about two married people whose marriage seems to be going off course. After 15 years they're marriage is in crisis mode.

By all rights they have the storybook American Dream, wife, two kids, and living the good life in suburbia. But they seem to be stuck in a rut and both are trying to capture the magic gone.

What they learn in the end is that the magic of those honeymoon early years is gone and they actually do like each other. What they have to do is stop letting little things annoy both of them all out of proportion.

Rob Reiner directed The Story Of Us and cast himself in a nice part as Willis's friend who seems to be giving bad advice every time he opens his mouth. But the best supporting roles are from Bill Kirchenbauer and Lucy Webb who are a pair of yokel Americans that Willis and Pheiffer meet on a trip to Italy. These two may be dumb, but they're happy and sometimes that's what you should strive for.

For fans of the leads especially for Bruce Willis fans who get a nice change of pace.

Oh dear, oh dear. I went to see this film because of the presence of Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis, both of whom are very watchable film stars.But this was a truly awful movie. The script was so leaden that I couldn't help but cringe whenever a supposed "joke" was told or an "amusing scene" played out. The unconvincing arguments between the two leads were just plain tedious and I couldn't wait for Rob Reiner or Paul Reiser to get off the screen whenever they appeared - their obnoxious characters did nothing to help the film.But perhaps the most annoying thing of all was witnessing Michelle Pfeiffer's final wailing monologue.Michelle Pfeiffer is one of my favourite actresses but this scene really made me squirm with embarrassment for her and I could even hear other people in the audience say out loud "God, she's awful" and "I wish she'd shut up - her voice is so annoying".I'd love to say something praiseworthy about this in film considering who's involved but, sorry, this is definitely the worst film I have seen this year!

Two of the most celebrated Hollywood stars come together in this brilliant movie about a family life gone wrong. Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer give very convincing performances to portray the characters of Ben and Katie Jordan, a married couple that have, somehow through trivial matters of daily life, drifted apart from each other. In fact, the only thing that seems to keep them together is their kids, or a love that does exist, but is in a dormant phase right now. So when they separate after the children go away for a summer camp, each have sometime to sit and ponder over what went wrong and thus enlightening us with their past lives through flash backs. And then you feel heartbroken for the couple who started what seemed to be one of the most romantic lives together, ended up with screaming and shouting on matters so unimportant that you would hardly remember later. Katie starts to suspect that Ben is having an affair and Ben is angry that Katie has no time for him anymore. So the only direction this marriage was heading towards is downwards and the hill is pretty steep. But then as they try to finish of what to them has become a pain in the neck, they realize that they still love each other very much. But none of them wants to be the one to say it loud. In fact, Ben does tries to on a couple of occasions to talk their differences out but somehow it ends up making things worse. The final nail that's driven in the coffin is that Katie starts seeing a cooking class mate, nothing serious, but enough to make Ben realize that it just might be over between them.

A word or two about the performances. Both of the lead stars have done a superb job, although you might feel that Michelle is a notch or two better than Bruce. But then I might have been smitten by her breathtaking beauty. She is really into her character, an average American housewife, with loads of domestic troubles. And Bruce, what a year he is having! First it was that brilliant performance in 'The Sixth Sense' and now this. He has proved that he is an actor par excellence and has the tendency to put up a great show whenever given an opportunity.

The problem I had with this movie was that it focused so much on the worst parts of long term relationships. In the first half hour I must have had 10 or 12 minutes of couples screaming at each other, and another 15 of these same couples trying to make up. This was all covered over by some of the most melancholy love songs ever written.

I'm in my 50's and understand the dynamics involved here, but just being pounded by the worst parts of relationships gets grating on the eardrums. We finally got to a good comedy scene about 40 minutes in, but it devolved into screaming as well. It must have been tough to do, but Rob Reiner even managed to put Betty White in a bad light.

I mean, the movie is truthful and all. A lot of what happens is true to life, but taking all the worst parts of life and concentrating them in a movie this way..... Well, it got to be too much for me. It might work better for women.

Great cast though.

Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer and a wonderful cast make this movie one of the best experiences of recent times. The story of a married couple losing each other and neither knows why; trying to hide it as the children grow through their early teens must touch the heart of most parents but this portrayal will reach right down inside you and tear you apart. I can feel the tears coming back even as I write this. This is a film of pure emotion so well written and beautifully directed with just the right balance of humour and tragedy and so insightful no one contemplating /in/out of a relationship should miss it.

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.

Watching The Story of Us is like being forced to sit through all of your most vicious fights with loved ones placed back to back for two hours. The Story of Us is mind numbing and about as enjoyable as a root canal while your appendix bursts. The Story of Us works in flashbacks of happier times to try to show the audience how good the relationship could be and why it should be held together, however the flashbacks only emphasize why these people should be apart. Blow by blow, the movie draws to a predictable Hollywood conclusion with a flurry of flashbacks so ridiculously done and one particular flashback frighteningly and pornographically out of place, that it is all way too little and way too late for any sort of redemption. My only advice is that if you take a date to this movie, make sure your relationship is on extremely solid ground because you will be arguing when this film is finished.

When I first saw the trailer for "The Story of Us" I thought that this film was going to be different from anything I had ever seen. I had been disillusioned by all these movies coming out that are basically the same and it was sort of refreshing to see that finally someone was trying something different. So I set my plans to include this movie--until I heard the reviews. Everyone seemed to hate this film--even my movie-loving cousin admitted she walked out in the middle because she couldn't stand it. She told me that it's more of a "married person" film than a film for teens like us, so I canned my idea. BIG MISTAKE! I wish I could have seen this marvelous film on the big screen--there's something about actors that makes them seem so much better when their faces are as big as you are. Not that that's necessary. After finally seeing the film (my mom bought it and "forced" me to watch it) it just made me realize why almost every movie now is a cliche: some people cannot appreciate truly unique art, which is why I think this movie caught a bad rap.

I honestly cannot say I have any first-hand experience on the subject of divorce. My parents are still married and have never really had to consider that option. I am still at that stage where marriage is a distant pit-stop on the road to my future. So why did I love this movie? It told me the truth. All of my life I have seen love depicted as an all-powerful, all-conquering thing. And I have no doubt that it is--this movie told me that too. But it also showed me that maybe being in love isn't always a perfect, happy thing. You've got to take the good and the bad. Ben said it best when he told Katie "Nobody said it was going to be easy." Finally. Finally someone tells me it's NOT going to be easy. Now some people think that this film will make you not want to get married. I feel quite the opposite, because it shows you that if you truly love your partner you can get through the tough stuff.

I don't understand how people can say this movie had bad acting. Were they watching the same movie I saw? Both Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer were amazing in this movie. I swear that as I watched them I completely believed they were a married couple. And the passion that went into their arguments was not "overacting" as I have seen it dubbed. Have you seen married people fight? It's just like that. And the good thing is the movie didn't choose sides. It just showed the arguments and the feelings behind them and left no one looking the bad guy. And Michelle Pfeiffer's beautiful performance during that closing monologue was worth watching the entire movie, even if you didn't like it. And the cinematography was brilliant. Sometimes flashbacks in movies can be risky, especially if they happen often as in this film. But the movie just seemed to flow wonderfully, and Katie's flashback in the car on the way to pick up the kids from camp is one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen in a movie. It's amazing to see 15 years of marriage in 15 seconds and not feel shortchanged. That scene captured everything brilliantly. And Eric Clapton's music adds a lot to the movie. He is definitely talented, but it's also because the music seemed to capture the mood of the film. All in all, this was an amazing experience and is definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's funny, entertaining, moving, and very well-made. I'd recommend it to anyone. Even if you don't like it, you will take something from it.

One man. One woman. They meet. They get to know better about each other. They fall in love. They marry. However....., that's when problems begin. Marriage is not just about love. All kinds of things in life add up ever since the two tie the knot. Will Snow White and Prince Charming live happily ever after? Well, it depends on them. Some marriages remain happy after decades; some break up after just a short period of time. Everyone manages their marriages differently. However, it's not easy to keep a marriage merry and happy. So when the preacher asks the most important question in life to the couple in front of him which is also time for them to make the most important decision in life, maybe the romantic and expected "I do" should become "I'll try"!

When two people get married, they start facing all kinds of things in the life they share together. The Story of Us is just the story of many couples. In this film, we can see Katie and Ben facing the same problems that all couples have to face and deal with. Conflicts happen when they have different point of view on things and can't agree with each other or selfishly think each other is wrong. This film gives pretty sharp but real description of marriage, and also gives married people something to think about. A happy marriage doesn't come from out of the blue. It costs mutual respect, trust, and love. In movies, unhappy marriages can be fixed by romantic storyline, but in real life, it depends on couples themselves. I strongly suggest all married couples to see this meaningful and realistic film, which is a good lesson for them!

You can see if you're going to like "The Story Of Us" in its first scene or even before, during the opening credits. If you think that one romantic song playing while the word "us" goes up and down, from one side to the other in the screen is annoying and that the first scene, when Katie (Michelle Pfeiffer) looks direct to the camera, alone, sitting in a sofa, and starts to talk about her wedding as in one documentary, is boring, you possible won't like it. But if you like one or both, as I did, you will for sure love "The Story Of Us".

The film is about one couple, Ben and Katie. They're married for about 15 or 17 years and they can't stand 15 minutes without one fight. As their children are in a Summer Camp, they're going to use that time alone to see if must stay married or divorce. Their situation is so serious that Ben will stay in a hotel while Katie will stay at their house.

Most of the movie are past situations remembered by the couple. And that's the best thing about "The Story Of Us". They're always reminding funny and happy situations but at the present time they just fight and fight. So, you have 10 minutes of romantic-comedy then 10 minutes of drama. And you don't even know what to fell. Should you laugh at the funny things or remember that these funny things are being shown because they're missing them, because nowadays they're just the opposite?

Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis were great. I still think that watching Bruce in dramatic movies is a bit strange but as I had already seen his good performance in "The Sixth Sense", I'm losing my preconception. And Michelle is perfect (as always) and just like the movie: her face is so delicate, she looks sooooo fragile and nice but in fact her character, Katie, is very nervous and incomprehensible.

So, that's how "The Story Of Us" is: very realist. Don't expect a super-romantic story but a dense and real relationship with fights, screams, shouts and sometimes, kisses. In fact, that's the kind of relationship that we all have! And, to conclude, is "The Story Of Us" a highly recommendable film? Well, it's not a everybody-love-movie as "The Sixth Sense" but I think so. I wouldn't miss it ever. <><><><> 8/10

Over the top acting. Terrible writing. Awfulness.

I see people lauding this movie in reviews. They must not know the difference between reality and this horrible acting. Its like a stage show but broader. That's not good.

Now,mind you,as of this writing I have only been married for three years,and I understand that this film is geared more toward couples who have been together somewhat longer,but I feel that my wife and I have been through enough of what the fictional couple brought to life by Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer went through to say that this is right on the money.All couples have differences,and they come to blows because of those differences often,depending upon the number of differences that there are.I also believe that children should be taught about the differences between couples in order to understand why parents argue.I feel it would greatly reduce their fears in these situations. This is definitely a movie couples should view together.It might just save a marriage or two.

Scan the other user comments. when the women write in positively and the men are at best confused by the film...what do you have? CHICK FLICK. This is a chick flick with weak story line (okay acting, however). Hey guys, does Bruce Willis seem all that irresponsible in the movie? I think not. Do MP's feelings fly all over for 2 hours? Yep. The puzzle is the flashbacks seem reveal a pretty decent guy. Hence my confusion. I'd like to see a show of hands among the men. Ever known ANY woman that took consistent notice of the windshield washer fluid levels in a car? How about inconsistent? Ever at all? I thought not. Case rested. (PS for a couple of writers they seem to have a pretty high disposable income. Anyone smell Hollywood here?

Not quite right. I expected an objective perspective on 2 people's marriage throughout the years, but it didn't turn out quite well. In the entire movie, we don't see HIM making anything bad, so it turns out it's all HER fault, SHE being the annoying whiner. Too bad, I thought it had potential to become a classic.

Excellent all rounder, Bruce pulling all the punches. Michelle in good form, but tended to feel annoyance rather than sympathy towards her character. I'm glad I saw this film and touched me, but I feel sorry for Bruce being lumbered with that nagging for the rest of his life. Too damn close to home though.

The Story Of Us is a wonderful movie in its own subtle way. I won't go into specifics about the plot, as many others before me have already done that. All I will say is that it's probably not for the younger crowd. In all honesty, if I had seen this film in my early twenties (and I'm now almost 40), I wouldn't have appreciated its subtlety on long term relationships. It's aimed at those of us who have been married, or in a long term relationship. Although I don't have children, the rest of this movie had many "oh yeah" moments for me. The Story of Us, is a complex, yet ultimately simple, explanation of long term relationships...all those 'little' things about the other person that drive you insane about them, but that if you're both willing to work on, make the relationship all that much richer for it. Wonderfully thought provoking. If you have ever been in a long term adult relationship, I'd be hard pressed to see how you COULDN'T relate, at the very least, on some small level to this film.

Never got around to watching this years ago, primarily due to the weak reviews. To be honest I didn't even know whether it was a comedy or a drama. Movies about failing relationships are always problematic, if the movie isn't like the viewers bad marriage, then it's a poor movie. Are the characters believable, yes to a certain extent, is the plot believable, painfully so!

I am baffled by Reiner's purpose in making this film. Was it supposed to be therapeutic, attempting to help troubled marriages resolve their differences? Was it supposed to be a romantic comedy? Was it capitalizing on When Harry Met Sally? Well, it failed! It failed on all levels! The serious subject of marital crisis is given a superficial treatment here. The script and direction (not to mention the acting) never gives us a chance to dig deep into a serious matter - keeping our marriages going through troubles. Are we supposed to believe the kids just upstairs never hear the scream matches the parents have downstairs? Are we supposed to believe the arguments the parents have? Are the moronic and thoroughly unhelpful side characters anything more than a distraction to the movie? Marital stress can make for some hilarious moments in cinema. What couple hasn't been through arguments and fights? That's why we laugh when comedians make jokes about married life. We can empathize. But this movie sets up the dumbest and sometimes most offensive jokes. I sat watching uncomfortably rather than laughing. Because the script has the characters talking AT each other rather than really talking TO each other. Marriage is so rewarding precisely because it involves hard work and sacrifice for the greater good. That is why love making and conversational intimacy are always best after rough patches have been worked out and forgiveness has been given. This film left me wondering why this couple really wanted to stay together. If you are single, marriage is a LOT better than this film makes it out to be. If you are struggling with your marriage, don't use this film for advice. If you are someone looking for a romantic comedy, check out That Thing You Do or something like it.