Millers in Marriage

Whenever I'm browsing what should I watch in Toronto Film Festival, I always rely on reading short plot/synopsys and with strictly avoiding to watch the trailer as to not receive/spoiled more than necessary. And in this case that was mistake. While plot summary seemed inviting, with strong direction that is sort of serious drama from marriage(s), visual side screwed all the intentions. All, but literaly ALL women characters were all the time with perfect make up (even when waking up in bed) perfect hair style (even when going doing things in kitchen), on high heels (even during the day in their own houses). Although they are all from some middle upper class, and not from aristocratic level, all interiors, even in cottages, were like from 'Home and Garden' magazines with pristine care that every item is on it's place ready for photo shooting. I thought this 'Dinasty' style of making movies was long time ago history. Seems not.

Feels like all these couples need individual therapy to figure out how to be married after kids launch. It's like no one paid attention to their marriages during their marriages. Now they are all struggling. I love ed burns and his movies...they feel like unhealed people seeking others to fill something within. Great acting beautiful scenery. Worth a watch for sure. Seems like intelligent people who won't seek support to resolve internal issues creating external problems. I'm sure many couples can relate to these three couples And their struggles. There has to be a more effective way to work though these situations.

In dry, wordy, indie drama "Millers In Marriage" Edward Burns, Julianna Margulies, & Gretchen Mol are 50+ siblings struggling in respective New York marriages to Morena Baccarin, Campbell Scott & Patrick Wilson (which respectively attracts Minnie Driver, Brian d'Arcy James, & Benjamin Bratt)... which they discuss, extensively. Writer / director Burns is the king of authentic US East Coast family / friends dramas - usually based on younger blue-collar folk, but this (his first film in six years) studies older 'rich people with champagne problems'... which lacks the Burns magic. It's really great that he's back, but can he please now step back further again... to his working-class roots?

Forever appreciate Burns achievements, From the Micro-budget to the modest. As he is admitted Woody Allen fan, I don't think Burns movies are as memorable as Allen's lesser efforts. While many are still quite good, charming, this is a lesser Burns effort. With less than 10 reviews a month from it's streaming debut, it is already forgotten.

It's made for my age group, a 90s young adult. With A good 90s A-list cast. Yet it's not for me either. And that was Burns only pitch for this film as it was for "US". It probably should just be called "Argument Movie". It's just a collection of argument scenes from several couples, and that's it. With some flirt scenes.

Most of it taking place in comfy homes. Most characters are living in the past, and not the least self-aware about it, and what it's doing to their relationships. Weird that many of the arguments are the same, and the scenes structured the same. Nothing evolves. Written like a first draft without a rewrite. Anyway, We crosscut, and flashback a bit between these couples. No bliss, no romanticism. No stakes in the game. This could be one of his worst. And he usually does well with bigger casts, especially "The Groomsmen". Maybe I can't relate to these easy-lifers easily solvable problems, but then again, I can less relate to a Woody Allen film like "Another Woman", even seeing that as a teen, yet I loved it, seeing the artistry at work. That's the level Burns SHOULD be at by now, and he just isn't. Hate to say it, but this was dull and Burns needs to work through that. But It's not just him. Many proven directors forgot how to make a competent movie. Tough times in the comedy/drama department.

I love films written, directed and acted in by Ed Burns. He knows exactly how to create a realistic and poignant portrayal of life, where the characters, the geography (typically New York), the era and the story each play an equal part in the audience's journey from beginning to end. This is no exception. It touches on what it means to reach your 40s or 50s and wonder what could have been had you made different decisions, how marriages become a very different type of relationship once the nest is empty, and how professional aspirations are lost or fulfilled, or both, but perhaps without the expected exhilaration or satisfaction. This film has a cast of A-list actors at their very best, no one of them being any more or any less integral than the other. It is supremely touching and will no doubt resonate with anyone "of a certain age."