Stephen King's a Good Marriage

To me this movie just kind of existed. It wasn't terrible by any means but I kept waiting for some twist or shock (other than the obvious) and one never came. The acting was good, the dialogue was fine, but a lack of suspense is what kept me from giving this movie a higher rating. It's still worth a watch though.

This is an entertaining movie with a good cast. It held my interest and lived up to my expectations. I generally disregard the ratings when they're all over the place, as then I figure I have a fair chance. Sometimes I win and sometimes not. This time was good, and I did enjoy it right up to the end. Give it a try, you can always turn it off.

This movie was not garbage but, it is probably worth skipping or waiting for Netflix. You know when someone tells you a story about something crazy that happened to them and they hit the high points to get to the point and, in the end it doesn't sound that exciting at all? Sure, you nod along because you see how that could be hard or they should be upset but you feel you missed something along the way. This movie hit the high points. The emotion didn't transfer. The story makes sense. The acting is decent and the story plays out the way the trailer leads you to believe it would. There are a few moments of confusion when Darcy (Joan Allen) starts to imagine what would happen if this secret were exposed but, in the end you figure what was and what wasn't and, just generally leave with a feeling of, okay well, it is what it is.

If you're not looking for cheap thrills and gore, but for low key, understated terror, this is a very good film, with a fantastic couple of leads. LaPaglia is terrifying in his everyday life dull character of the boring accountant and obsessive husband. Allen is also magnificent in her calm, subdued development as a character. I think the low scores are from people expecting a roller coaster unrealistic scary movie with lots of blood and screams. Nothing like this here, rather the little music of human perversity sounding like a distant radio. I love the ending, the power of resilience of so many women.

I have learned to not go by the reviews of naysayers solely. Weigh the reviews and you can usually tell within the first half hour which way it's going to go. That's what happened and this made for such a good movie. Plot twist was amazing and definitely a Stephen King plot. Enjoyed it. It's not average by a longshot.