All kinds of marriages - good, bad, or indifferent, but films that revolve around the marriage itself, whatever subplots
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None — 6 years ago(October 04, 2019 09:38 AM)
I recently watched Effie Gray (2014) and, although not a perfect film, it does tell the story of a marriage that was doomed to fail from the start.
When Effie Gray becomes the wife of distinguished writer John Ruskin, it soon becomes apparent that Ruskin regards her as a muse rather than a wife, and the stifling atmosphere of their home soon takes a toll on Effie's health. -
None — 6 years ago(October 05, 2019 01:31 AM)
There’s a road and a pub (The Ruskin Arms) close to where I was born named after John Ruskin but after watching this film I can’t think of anyone else less suitable for this sort of recognition. A road I can understand but not a rowdy music venue where Small Faces and Iron Maiden played their early gigs.
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spiderwort — 6 years ago(October 04, 2019 11:54 PM)
And so many I still haven't seen. Of those I have see, my favorites are A Woman Under the Influence, Coal Miner's Daughter, Urban Cowboy, and Lost in America.
I really meant and want to see Blue Valentine and Breaking the Waves, but they got away from me.
And oh, your mention of Making Love brings back so many memories, because I have personal connections to a couple of cast members and the director. Not a very good film, in my opinion, but a ground-breaking one for its time. I wish it had been better, but I give it a lot of credit for its boldness back in the day - and especially to the male actors, both of whom are straight. -
Lilith — 6 years ago(October 05, 2019 12:04 AM)
I know. Every time it's on TCM, I'll rent it, but it's never available to buy. Just like Irma LaDouce - that's another one (OT) that I want to own.
When Mr. Blandings was on (back when I got TCM), same thing, I could watch it over and over and never tire of it.
"
Bill Cole. Friend of the family
." (<– when the roads are washed out?) Hahah!
I know it's good when I can sit there and watch Cary Grant shave his face for 3 minutes doing nothing else, (while Myrna is in the shower) and I'm pleasantly entertained. Them just rummaging through the closet trying to find things. Eating breakfast.
Plus when they were drilling to find water. And the closet scene, that was a hoot.
Still loved the explanation of paint colours (remember that?)
"Your emotional state is not my responsibility." – Warren Smith -
spiderwort — 6 years ago(October 05, 2019 12:10 AM)
Oh, lord, yes! It's one I have almost memorized. And still I never grow weary of it. The chemistry between Grant and Loy is phenomenal. Oh, and you may not know, but I learned a couple of years ago that it's based upon a true story of the author of the original story and then novel building his own house.
Per wikipedia: "The short story and novel were based on the author Eric Hodgins's experience with buying property and building a house in the Merryall area of the town of New Milford, Connecticut. The real house was completed in 1939, but was so expensive — his original budget was $11,000 but the final cost was about $56,000 — that Hodgins was forced to sell it. It was sold in 1945 for $38,000 to John Allard, a retired Air Force general. Hodgins unsuccessfully tried to buy the house back after receiving $200,000 in movie rights to the book. In 1953, the house was sold to Ralph Gulliver, a fuel oil dealer in New Milford, who gave it to his son, Jack, in 1972.[2] In 1980, the house was sold to the author and composer Stephen Citron and his wife, the biographer and novelist Anne Edwards.[3] In 2004, the house was sold for $1.2 million."
Amazing! -
Lilith — 6 years ago(October 05, 2019 12:21 AM)
That breaks my heart that he invested in the house, built it, put so much into it, sold it at a loss, and tried to get his home back and couldn't. That $56k turning into $1.2 million. Oh dear God, that's just heartbreaking.
I understand on an intellectual level that it's all about business, but if I knew the story behind it, and knew what the man went through to get this house created, if I paid $38k for a $56k house, and was offered double or even triple that, I can't imagine saying no to the poor fellow.
I had no idea that this was based on a true story. I love it just as much and think I have most of the movie memorized. I recall scenes with such vividness. I really, really love that movie. It's pretty fascinating given the whole movie relies entirely on the chemistry of the cast and a strong and engaging story.
"Your emotional state is not my responsibility." – Warren Smith -
spiderwort — 6 years ago(October 05, 2019 12:00 AM)
Bergman is one of my all time favorite directors and I've seen lots of his films, but I'm sorry to say that I have not seen this one. There was also a tv series or version, if I'm not mistaken. I've always regretted that I let this get away from me. And, knowing Bergman, I imagine it probably is a little depressing.
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muttley — 6 years ago(October 05, 2019 02:15 AM)
I tried to think of films that showed different aspects and challenges of marriage.
Tokyo Story
-love and commitment
45 Years
-secrets of the past
Amour
-at the end
Reflections in a Golden Eye
-lies and secrecy
Mr. Skeffington
-ego and vainness
Journey to Italy
-at a crossroads
La Notte
-troubled marriage
Marriage Italian Style- plain craziness
Jules and Jim
-marrying a free spirit
Random Harvest
-The power of what absolute true love can accomplish
The Marrying Kind
-remembering why you married
Made For Each Other
-marrying too soon
A Woman Under the Influence
-substance abuse
before you leave remember I was with you
- plain craziness
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spiderwort — 6 years ago(October 05, 2019 03:21 PM)
Oh, what a wonderful, wonderful list! (Though I haven't yet seen
Tokyo Story, Journey to Italy
and
La Notte- I know, I know - been trying to get to them for years!). But except for
Reflections in a Gold Eye
, which I could never quite warm to, I honestly love all the rest - some more than others, but they are all such beautiful illustrations of the complexities of marriage, as you have so specifically and beautifully articulated. Thanks so much for the post.
- I know, I know - been trying to get to them for years!). But except for
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muttley — 6 years ago(October 06, 2019 04:15 AM)
If you haven't seen
Tokyo Story
then we'll need to have a long long talk.
Yeah, I never was a huge fan of
Reflections
either. It had everything you wanted, great director, great actors and a gripping story but for whatever reason it missed the mark for me.
I'll add a few more I thought of.
Suspicion
,
Rebecca
,
Elevator to the Gallows
all throw a different darker twist on marriage.
Woman of the Year
,
The Thin Man
series are fun looks at marriage.
My Favorite Wife
-a unique look at marriage
Through a Glass Darkly- isolation and mental illness and its effects
I'll push the envelope with
The Quiet Family
. Not necessarily about marriage but when an entire family kills people and needs to get rid of the bodies while still trying to keep the family business going it may put a bit of a strain on a marriage!
before you leave remember I was with you
- isolation and mental illness and its effects
