I'm a big Jake Weber fan, hence decided to watch this film. Weber plays Adam, a successful writer who still hangs out with his childhood friend, Ben (Rob Morrow). The two have known each other since they were toddlers - and due to an unfortunate July 4th incident, Adam is blind in one eye. Even though it's alluded to be Ben's fault, Adam writes it off as an accident and has never blamed his childhood buddy. Ben however, has never really gotten past it. Fast forward to college, and Adam meets the lovely Nina (Claire Forlani).
The two marry, but Ben and Adam pretty much remain joined at the hip. It's a story of people who cling to their childhoods as a way of keeping memories, good and bad, front and center. We've all had friends like that. The future doesn't seem to be going their way, and they try to find answers in their past life which seemed to make sense, even if it wasn't always perfect. When the answers don't come, mistakes are made.
The result is a classic "guy has an affair with his best friend's wife" story, but wonderfully executed as if we're riding down one of those lazy, winding rivers that occasionally hits a bump. It's also a story of privilege (the two go to Columbia University, Ben to Stanford Law School). Though the story takes place over several years, all scenes occur in the dead of winter. The cold temperatures and gray skies set a somber tone throughout. Cinematographer Michael F. Barrow certainly earns his salary in this film (through consistently beautiful shots of New England winters).
It's a sophisticated approach to storytelling, and I appreciate how the directors, (Sean Smith and Anthony Stark) let you connect the dots on your own with their subtle choices. No dialog is used to tell us that Adam knows his wife and friend are sleeping together. Jayne Brook also convinces us that she knows what's going on, but doesn't confront her husband until an awkward moment in a grocery store. But her face, behavior and tone tell us she's aware that her husband is slipping away.
A gorgeous sound track by Michael Small (who composed the sound track for Marathon Man) complements the film. When Ben asks Kat if she wants to leave, Brook delivers a stunning response. She has always been a loving wife, very composed and reasonable. When her husband's infidelity comes out, Brook explodes in a very convincing, authentic, honest performance. You can't help but be on her side.
It's not really clear why Ben and his friend's wife fall in love. It feels more like a fling gone bad. I suppose the directors intent was to show that these things are unplanned, never meant to happen, and are nothing more than mistakes. It's almost as if Ben and Nina are a bit bored with their predictable lives, hence decide to sleep together. But they are excruciatingly clear in their belief that what they are doing is wrong and will eventually hurt their respective spouses.
It's a story of high risk, high loss for the two men. At the story's end, Ben is alone and Adam, who plays the moral center of the story, pays the highest price of all. The two women however, are rewarded with second chances.
If you enjoy films with good storytelling and superb ensemble acting, this is for you.
The two marry, but Ben and Adam pretty much remain joined at the hip. It's a story of people who cling to their childhoods as a way of keeping memories, good and bad, front and center. We've all had friends like that. The future doesn't seem to be going their way, and they try to find answers in their past life which seemed to make sense, even if it wasn't always perfect. When the answers don't come, mistakes are made.
The result is a classic "guy has an affair with his best friend's wife" story, but wonderfully executed as if we're riding down one of those lazy, winding rivers that occasionally hits a bump. It's also a story of privilege (the two go to Columbia University, Ben to Stanford Law School). Though the story takes place over several years, all scenes occur in the dead of winter. The cold temperatures and gray skies set a somber tone throughout. Cinematographer Michael F. Barrow certainly earns his salary in this film (through consistently beautiful shots of New England winters).
It's a sophisticated approach to storytelling, and I appreciate how the directors, (Sean Smith and Anthony Stark) let you connect the dots on your own with their subtle choices. No dialog is used to tell us that Adam knows his wife and friend are sleeping together. Jayne Brook also convinces us that she knows what's going on, but doesn't confront her husband until an awkward moment in a grocery store. But her face, behavior and tone tell us she's aware that her husband is slipping away.
A gorgeous sound track by Michael Small (who composed the sound track for Marathon Man) complements the film. When Ben asks Kat if she wants to leave, Brook delivers a stunning response. She has always been a loving wife, very composed and reasonable. When her husband's infidelity comes out, Brook explodes in a very convincing, authentic, honest performance. You can't help but be on her side.
It's not really clear why Ben and his friend's wife fall in love. It feels more like a fling gone bad. I suppose the directors intent was to show that these things are unplanned, never meant to happen, and are nothing more than mistakes. It's almost as if Ben and Nina are a bit bored with their predictable lives, hence decide to sleep together. But they are excruciatingly clear in their belief that what they are doing is wrong and will eventually hurt their respective spouses.
It's a story of high risk, high loss for the two men. At the story's end, Ben is alone and Adam, who plays the moral center of the story, pays the highest price of all. The two women however, are rewarded with second chances.
If you enjoy films with good storytelling and superb ensemble acting, this is for you.