Newlyweds

It actually took us three goes to complete the viewing of the Burn's indy gem. Quite Allenesque in it's deep examination and joy in the the humour of everyday relationships. Superbly acted, interestingly shot, but most importantly, very truthful. A normal couple gets turned every which way with Shakesperean ease and we can relate to the finesse of dealing with family. Burns was type-cast, but his supporting cast were tremendous. Delighted to see the range from Bishé (who I loved watching in Halt and Catch Fire). I think the title is rather disappointing. Worth opening a good bottle of wine for and enjoying with the love of your life.

The opening scene of "Newlyweds" looks like it could have come out of any Woody Allen movie (or "Husbands and Wives" to be more specific). Two couples are sitting in a restaurant discussing the various ins and outs of married life. And then they turn to the camera and start saying what they really think. The editing from typical romantic dramedy-styled scenes to documentary-styled scenes is where the comedy comes in.

It's a smart comedy where the humour is born from the characters and the dialogue. Buzzy (Edward Burns) and Katie (Caitlin Fitzgerald) are in their first year of marriage and are trying to be down-to-Earth and realistic about it. Communication and not spending much time with each other is key. On the converse, Buzzy's best friend Max and Katie's sister Marsha are in their eighteenth year of marriage and they are disgusted by Buzzy and Katie's attitude. Marsha can't stand Buzzy and that's what it all comes down to.

I was originally a little put-off by the documentary-styled revelations and worried that an entire movie about the differences between two couples would become irritating quickly. But that's exactly when a new wrench was thrown into the mix in the form of Linda (Kerry Bishé), Buzzy's sister. In the beginning we had husband versus sister-in-law where somehow the sister managed to keep herself on the side of "right", but now we have wife versus sister-in-law and nobody is going to get out of that catfight unscathed.

I was constantly delighted with how each character would respond to Linda's antics – which involves a lot of guy-obsessed drunken behaviour. Their passive-aggressive covers devolved into semi-aggressive acts. And just like in "Carnage", it still remains funny.

I wouldn't be surprised if some people take offense to the writing of the female characters in this film as they were all despicable in their own way. Edward Burns' Buzzy was the only one written so "cool" that he remained likable and sympathetic throughout, or at least to me.

I've been an Edward Burns fan since "The Brothers McMullen" (1995) and it's impressive how he keeps letting his writing shine through. Made for only $9,000 "Newlyweds" is on the skimp side of settings and shot set-ups, but as this proves you really only need a handful of characters who come to life to make a good film.

In NY, Buzzy (Edward Burns) and Katie (Caitlin FitzGerald) are in their newlywed bliss. It's both their second marriage. Her sister Marsha is constantly fighting with her 18 year husband Max. Buzzy gives Katie's loser ex-husband Dara a charity vacuum cleaner to sell. The couple is surprised by the arrival of his half-sister Linda (Kerry Bishé) from LA. Katie had never met her. She has come across the country on a whim to stop her ex Miles from getting married. Her irresponsible ways start affecting the newlyweds.

Edward Burns delivers an ultra low budget indie. He uses the faux documentary concept. It is surprisingly well made. The characters are fun. He's trying for Woody Allen adjacent. It's not big laughs but it's loads of fun. I really like the Burns FitzGerald chemistry. FitzGerald is funny as frantic. Their struggles are endearing. It's one of Burns' better work.

(7.5, rounded up)

Newlyweds is a tale of trashed boundaries, intertwined sloppiness, romantic yearning and object lessons among two couples, assorted relatives and exes in NYC, specifically Tribeca.

Buzzy (writer/director Ed Burns and Katie (Caitlyn FitzGerald) are newlyweds who learned from chaotic first marriages. They own small businesses and are more sunny and self-aware than their sisters, Buzzy's feral little sister Linda (Kerry Bishé), and Katie's bitter older sis Marsha (Marsha Dietlein).

Buzzy trains Marsha's husband Max at his gym. Sort of.; mainly Max comes to gripe about his wife and bemoan the sex he's not getting.

Max idolizes Buzzy, a fit, funny, guy's guy who curses warmly, and, unlike Max, has an even-keeled, gorgeous spouse who appreciates him.

Linda's drop-in from LA becomes the wrench in Katie and Buzzy's gears. Within 48 hours, Linda's passive-aggressive houseguest-from-hell havoc has Katie's teeth on edge and Buzzy backpedaling like a stranger in his own marriage.

Marsha, meanwhile, projects her misery on the stressed newlyweds and Buzzy in particular, who symbolizes all lying, doggish men in her eyes.

Linda chases down another newlywed: her ex Miles, whose weeks-old marriage she's flown in to destroy. Drunk, narcissistic and grabby...she's the younger, female mirror of Katie's actor ex Dara, another vain and irresponsible fantasist.

Meet your ghost of Christmas future, kid.

Marsha is threatened by Buzzy-who stole her sister, and dares to be cheerful. Linda envies Katie, who not only has her life together but can't be trumped on looks or style...oh, the humanity.

Whose denial about their obnoxious sister is deeper? Buzzy defends Linda with a distant oldest's guilt; Katie defends 'good person' Marsha with fierce, if myopic, devotion. Maybe hot loyalty about their sisters doth protest too much?

Which newlywed gets unrealistic first? Katie for insisting Buzzy tell her *absolutely everything*, down to Max's confidences and Linda's indiscretions...omitting what she holds back.

Or Buzzy, who chides Katie with a parallel about the 'anything goes' attitude of guy friends...the difference being, Katie and Linda are in-law strangers, not friends. Case in point, 'paranoid' Katie doesn't even try to tell Buzzy how rude and hostile Linda is when the two of them are alone.

Linda can apologize to Miles, but not Katie. Marsha treats Buzzy like riffraff, though he's gentleman enough to ignore her barrage of insults.

Kettles, meet pots. Everyone in Newlyweds has an object lesson, a nemesis and maybe even the inspiration they need, viewed in the right light.

I won't spoil the funny lines and fine messes of Newlyweds. The writing feels fresh and natural, the characters are just screwball enough, and I really wish Ed Burns had given us a sequel.

I like indie movies like this on small budgets. Minus his voice(kidding), I like, Edward Burns, his writer/director roles. This movie shows that one doesn't need big budgets and high priced music scores to invoke emotion. I felt for the couple who has to have their respective sisters' stay with them. The dialogue was real, authentic, so were situations some of us can relate to. It was a everyday sort of film then a Hollywood romantic comedy, or even a NY style comedy - you know the ones that are made in NY, with the characters live in expensive dwellings, five steps up from the pavement, have high paying jobs(in advertising), finds the girl/guy of their dreams(who is poor maybe),walk around a lot with music, throw in some unrealistic drama for good measure, and happy ending. This is not one of those movies. This is a story about a husband and wife on their second marriage and their respective sisters, and what happens over a period of a week. How they deal with their marriage. Sound boring. It isn't. I didn't like the documentary style interviews in between, but it seems to work here just right. The entire caste was great, job well done. Another thing I like was there was no drawn out scenes on landscape, nature, water etc, to set the mood for whats to come, or (piano) music to invoke emotion. The were no dull or boring moments of the camera panning or lingering. The ending was great. Happy or sad, how one takes it, but I loved it. All with US$9000 and a Canon SLR camera.