SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Fatma Suarez The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

stancym-1 I only give it a 2 instead of a 1 because Julie Christie is always such a joy to watch.The problem is, you can't figure out what is going on much of the time. Plot lines seem to make no sense. Example: at the end, Christie is crying. Has her daughter died or not? That is never made clear. If not, what is she sobbing about? Then there is the scene where Christie tries to seduce husband Nolte. She is attempting to repair their marriage. It is not clear why he rejects her, he seems to love her and it was she who had called off their sex life, not he. There is no discussion of this event afterward to clarify things.Characters throughout behave in ways that seem very unlikely and you can't figure them out. If a movie is going to be this surreal and confusing, it should be funny or suspenseful. This is neither. The Jonny Lee Miller character is peculiar beyond belief and that is never resolved. You can't figure him out at all,even at the end.Enough said, avoid this movie. You can see Christie in Away from Her, a far superior film.

Agnelin I just watched this movie, and it has become one of my favorites. It takes great amounts of talent and a sensitive spirit to make a gripping, involving narration of something as common as two married couples with communication, emotional and sexual problems -but Alan Rudolph not only manages to do this, but offers us an absolutely perfect narration, filled with beauty and a sensitive and compassionate look on some of the most common human weaknesses, mistakes, wishes, and dreams.The movie introduces us to two couples: the middle-aged Manns, Lucky (Nolte) and Phyllis (a sublime Christie), and the in-their-thirties Byrons, Jeffrey (Miller) and Marianne (Boyle). The former are working class, and the latter are well-off. Both are in the middle of a crisis, due to different reasons, but parenthood and their sex life (or lack thereof) are some of the most obvious. Basically, the movie lets us have a look into each of the characters' desires and dreams, what they want out of their marriage and of life. Logically, the older couple has more regrets about the past, and each of the younger partners is more looking forward to a better future. The four people will become involved with each other in different ways, all full of potential for something better... or for disaster.All in all, the story is easy to follow and, although calm, it is never boring; all of the scenes reveal something important about the characters. Like some other commentators said, Rudolph has an especially good understanding of the female mind, and he is an admirer of the female beauty -he brings out the best, most beautiful and most admirable in Lara Flynn Boyle and Julie Christie, but also of other supporting female characters.The movie isn't as predictable as one might think, it isn't merely a story of dissatisfaction and relationship problems, and it has a few surprises in store for the viewer, but nothing too extravagant or hard to believe. It is, ultimately, a finely crafted parable of the loss of passion -for life, for love, for our dreams and aspirations- and how it is possible to get it back.I would recommend this movie to anyone. My rating is 10/10.

WMOLSTAD I enjoyed this movie. I suppose that I had the problem of NickNolte and his funny-looking, scruffy macho self, but it fit thecharacter. My favorite character was the sexually modest andcompletely cold executive Jeffrey Byron played by Jonny Lee Miller,fresh from Trainspotting. When he slightly slips his accent, it isreally fun to hear. Since it takes place in Canada though, it isawesome that he particularly lets it out on words like "about" - "ay- boat". Slight Spoiler.... Even though the character was mean, cold, and he was the onethat provoked his wife into the main problem in the movie early on,I felt as if he was almost the protagonist. The setting of Montrealwas beautiful, the cinematography varying between lush andclassy, and the characters very well thought-out. The Phyllis Manncharacter was entertaining. And Jeffrey's wife Marianne was funny,but you almost hate her for the way she goes in this movie... This movie would have been much better without Nick Nolte - hisfacial expressions were just perfect, but his presence can becontinuously irritating. He'll also turn off half of the ladies watchingthis. Considering that it's themes are wonderful for a femaleaudience, that's bad. But does the movie want you to hate himanyway? Oh well. 8 out of 10 in my point of view - deducting onepoint for Nolte and one point for the overusage of adultery in theplot. If you aren't into romance-drama plots and character studies,avoid this one. If you like Nick Nolte, grab it. If you don't, you mighthave to stomach him. A worthy rent.

benkatz100 what is this movie all about? The need for love. The ending is not completly managable but it has just the right tone to give you the right mood. The storytelling is weak, though. Jullie and Nick DO look great together and give some strong appearances throughout the movie. Worth seeing? once, only once.