Early in We Don't Live Here Anymore, the audience is quickly introduced to the rather complicated situation of the four main characters: literature professor Jack (Mark Ruffalo) is married to Terry (Laura Dern) but is having an affair with Edith (Naomi Watts). Edith is close friends with Terry and is married to Hank (Peter Krause), Jack's colleague. Terry, suspicious of the affair, begins vengefully sleeping with Hank.
Though this scenario seems worthy of a daytime soap opera, director John Curran and screenwriter Larry Cross (who adapted the script from two short stories by Andrew Dubus of In The Bedroom fame) work hard to avoid the possibility. They create a film that is incredibly rich in intelligence and uniquely explores issues of human relations and emotions. Films of this nature are a rarity in this day and age (especially during the summer) and We Don't Live Here Anymore's mix of humour and eroticism is incredibly refreshing.
What's more are the film's performances. Peter Krause (who was no one but Nate Fisher to me before) and Collateral's Mark Ruffalo bring heaps of subtle depth to both of their characters. 21 Grams' Naomi Watts continues to live up to her hype by once again choosing an interesting and colourful character to sink her acting teeth into. But if there is someone that truly steals this show, it's Laura Dern. Her performance exhibits the potential she possessed a decade ago (see Rambling Rose and Citizen Ruth) and is worthy of award consideration. In fact, this whole movie is worthy of award consideration and your 13 bucks. Please, don't go see Alien Vs. Predator or The Village. Be an adult and go see adultery at its best. (Warner Independent)
Though this scenario seems worthy of a daytime soap opera, director John Curran and screenwriter Larry Cross (who adapted the script from two short stories by Andrew Dubus of In The Bedroom fame) work hard to avoid the possibility. They create a film that is incredibly rich in intelligence and uniquely explores issues of human relations and emotions. Films of this nature are a rarity in this day and age (especially during the summer) and We Don't Live Here Anymore's mix of humour and eroticism is incredibly refreshing.
What's more are the film's performances. Peter Krause (who was no one but Nate Fisher to me before) and Collateral's Mark Ruffalo bring heaps of subtle depth to both of their characters. 21 Grams' Naomi Watts continues to live up to her hype by once again choosing an interesting and colourful character to sink her acting teeth into. But if there is someone that truly steals this show, it's Laura Dern. Her performance exhibits the potential she possessed a decade ago (see Rambling Rose and Citizen Ruth) and is worthy of award consideration. In fact, this whole movie is worthy of award consideration and your 13 bucks. Please, don't go see Alien Vs. Predator or The Village. Be an adult and go see adultery at its best. (Warner Independent)
