Divorce Film Good Despite Shortcomings

by Jason R. Hewlett

It seems ironic that star Bruce Willis would decide to do a movie about a couple contemplating divorce so soon after his real life split from wife Demi Moore. The project was probably a bit cathartic for him. You can tell too. "The Story of Us" gives Willis and his costar Michelle Pfeiffer the chance to deliver one of their best performances, therefor elevating a movie from the level of mediocrity to something definitely worth a look.

Willis and Pfeiffer play The Jordans, a seemingly ideal couple that have it all: nice house, two wonderful children, great friends, and an S.U.V.. However, once the kids are shipped off to summer camp, they decide to split up and head for a divorce. Through the course of a series of flashbacks we see the high and low points of their marriage. What was right and what was wrong. It all comes together in one of those typically happy/sappy Hollywood endings you sometimes find yourself smiling at despite how contrived it can be. You know the kind I'm talking about I'm sure.

The film works for three reasons: Willis, Pfeiffer, and director Rob Reiner. If the two superstars weren't so darn good and darn good together the core of the film would have fallen apart. We believe them, in their plight, and we would like to see them stick together as a couple. If some lesser actors were in this film the entire story would have folded in on itself and died a nasty, cliched death. As for Reiner: he knows the romantic/comedy genre so well and is so good at dragging comedic nuances from a script that he makes the humor, which borderlines on a bunch of stand-up routines strung together, work. He also can handle the plot's heavier side too, which is no surprise considering he made "Misery" and "A Few Good Men."

This is by no means a great or flawless movie. The script, by Alan Zweibel and Jessie Nelson, is full of clichés and sappy touches that can make your skin crawl. However, there is much to like in the film and I give it a passing grade. A good date movie with some weight behind it.

6.5 out of 10!