love marriage movie review

Love. Wedding. Repeat

Generally, repetition is a great learning tool but a fraught narrative device. It can wear out its welcome, rendering its joke meaningless or only adding time to the length of a movie. There are, of course, some brilliant exceptions like “ Groundhog Day ” or “Russian Doll,” but Dean Craig ’s “Love. Wedding. Repeat” is not one of them. Our characters here are not so much stuck in a time loop, as they are in a very lazy movie filled with cliches and middle school-level humor, and which starts over half-way through the events for no reason. The joke is on anyone who mistakes this movie for entertainment. 

Written and directed by Craig, “Love. Wedding. Repeat” begins with an interrupted first kiss. Jack ( Sam Claflin ) and Dina ( Olivia Munn ) hit it off over the past few days during her visit to Italy, but just before he can make a move, an old friend of his interrupts and offers him an inopportune ride to the airport. Years later, on the day of Jack’s sister Hayley’s ( Eleanor Tomlinson ) wedding, they meet again by chance—and are also rudely interrupted by it. As the narrator billed as The Oracle ( Penny Ryder ) rambles on about love and chance, a group of kids wreaks havoc on the seating order of their table. Predictable chaos ensues as Jack is seated by his ex Amanda ( Freida Pinto ) and her new insecure beau Chaz ( Allan Mustafa ), Hayley’s reluctant maid of honor Bryan ( Joel Fry ) is seated by his filterless ex Rebecca ( Aisling Bea ), Dina is seated by a nightmare guest ( Tim Key ) who only talks about himself and a coke-addled former flame of Hayley’s, Marc ( Jack Farthing ), has crashed the party to ruin her big day. It falls on Jack to salvage the day and re-connect with Dina before it’s too late. 

“Love. Wedding. Repeat” wants to have its cake and eat it, too. I can’t tell if the movie tried to skewer ridiculous rom-com conventions or make a failed replica, but the result is off-putting in any case. Whatever air of romance the Italian villa setting and cinematographer Hubert Taczanowski attempts to conjure up is ruined by just about everything else on screen. The crowded ensemble is rife with one-note, boorish characters who are much too clueless about human interaction to tolerate for copious amounts of time. Then, there’s the disembodied voice of The Oracle who makes us relive Hayley’s wedding day but with the table rearranged to give us a different outcome—for no discernible reason or explanation. No time loop, no rip in the space-time continuum, just because deus ex machina said so. 

The movie focuses on the gaggle of insufferable English-speaking bridal guests, even though it’s set in Italy and Hayley’s Italian husband’s family make up what looks like most of the party. (Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise that they’re marginalized and out of the picture.) So much of the banter, and even some of the narration, centers on dick jokes that are more sad attempts at humor than anything else. When explaining the role of chance in love, The Oracle says that chance can give love “a kick in the balls.” Dina’s unwanted party guest complains a handful of times about the state of his testicles under his kilt. Chaz is so insecure in his testy relationship with Amanda, that he engages Jack in a figurative dick measuring contest. I’m sorry to say, the attempts at humor do not improve.

Unfortunately, there’s also a half-hearted attempt at what resembles slapstick humor and a familiar comedy cliche: accidentally giving the wrong person a strong sedative. That person (in both versions of the movie’s “Repeat” part) then gets to play out the physical repercussions of their mistakes, simply playing drugged, tumbling over themselves and slurring their words. Possibly the worst so-called bit in the movie is the recurring threat of Marc playing a coke-fueled Pepé Le Pew type who won’t take no for an answer, effectively harassing and somewhat blackmailing Hayley on her wedding day. These are the most cringe-worthy scenes in a sea of feel-bad moments.

The best thing that can be said about “Love. Repeat. Wedding” is that it hates both genders equally. Nobody knows how to communicate with one another, which is weird to watch many adults fumble the simplest conversations. For instance, even as Chaz can’t stop comparing himself to Jack, his fiancee Amanda yells at him, scolds him and never seems to treat him with much kindness. It’s hard to even feel for the main characters when the entire movie could have been avoided if Jack had asked Dina for her number back in the day. You could revisit the 2012 French romantic comedy, “Plan de Table” instead of its English-language remake, but maybe that’s too much repetition for one day.                      

Available on Netflix today, 4/10.

Monica Castillo

Monica Castillo is a critic, journalist, programmer, and curator based in New York City. She is the Senior Film Programmer at the Jacob Burns Film Center and a contributor to  RogerEbert.com .

• Sam Claflin as Jack
• Olivia Munn as Dina
• Eleanor Tomlinson as Hayley
• Freida Pinto as Amanda
• Aisling Bea as Rebecca
• Jack Farthing as Marc
• Joel Fry as Bryan
• Allan Mustafa as Chaz
• Tim Key as Sidney

Writer (based upon the motion picture "Plan de table" by)

• Christelle Raynal
• Francis Nief
• Christian Sandino-Taylor

Cinematographer

• Hubert Taczanowski

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‘Love & Marriage: Detroit’ Season 2 Preview: Trailer Breakdown And All The Drama To Come

The third installment of OWN’s Love & Marriage franchise, Love & Marriage : Detroit , is back– with two additional couples, a new baby, and one marriage that may not survive. The Carlos King-produced reality series’ second season trailer was released and it seems to be a highly-anticipated season. Here’s what to expect from the original three couples, plus the newbies.

1. Kristina and Brandon

Last season, fans complained that Brandon did not like his wife and said that he appeared cold and emotionally uninvested. Kristina admitted during the Season 1 reunion that she discovered Brandon’s inappropriate text messages between himself and another woman, where he had an emotional affair and told the woman in question that he did not like his wife. But Kristina was willing to do whatever to save their decade-plus marriage. This season, it seemingly backfired.

The trailer shows Brandon’s reveal that they are separated, and he claims he asked for a divorce. In one scene, Kristina cries that she’s “tired” as Brandon tries to console her. After focusing so much on being a mother of two and a devoted wife, it may be time for Kristina to spread her wings. And considering she put her musical aspirations on hold while supporting Brandon’s artist management company, now may be the time for her to use the OWN platform to jumpstart her own music career.

2. Kolby and Russell

A PK (preacher’s kid), Kolby was torn when Russell began chasing his passion in ministry. Last season, she also struggled with the demise of her once-close friendship with Kristina. This season, Kolby is expecting her and Russell’s second baby, a daughter, balancing her influencer career, and supporting Russell as he opens another gym. But she doesn’t feel the support is being reciprocated.

In the trailer, she complains to Russell that she’s stretched thin, and he seems unreceptive. Will they come to a common ground and find more harmony between them?

3. LaToya and Anthony

Last season, Latoya and Anthony focused on rebuilding their marriage after nearly divorcing due to long distance. Anthony relocated to Atlanta to follow his entertainment dreams while Latoya and their two sons remained in Michigan. After an ultimatum, he returned back home, but there was some resentment. He poured his resources into LaToya’s budding wine business, while feeling she was unsupportive of his endeavors.

This season, the two continue having marital trouble. This time, it seems it’s surrounding their children. 

4. Meet the new couples

Marcel and Kimberly Dobine have been married for 8 years and share two young children. The couple have communication issues as the balance work and home life. They are trying to set aside more time for one another. Kimberly and Kristina used to be friends, and with Kimberly new to the friend group, a bigger divide may be caused. 

Viewers first met Bravo and Lakeita Samuels in Season 1. The two have been together since high school. They struggle with staying in connection with one another due to their hectic schedules.

The show returns on Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. est. Watch the trailer below:

Belfast businesswoman's marriage fate revealed as fans react to Love Is Blind UK reunion

Spoilers: Sabrina reveals she flew to London seven times while Steven only flew to Belfast twice and apparently cancelled a third trip just two days before Christmas

Sabrina on Love is Blink UK

Fans have reacted with shock as the Love Is Blind UK finale revealed the fate of Belfast businesswoman Sabrina Egerton ’s marriage to husband Steven.

The pair, who both quit their jobs to find love on the show, made it to the altar but revealed they split at some point after filming.

Hosted by Emma and Matt Willis and following on from the successful US versions of the show, the show followed the same US format and saw 30 UK singles who have signed up for a less-conventional approach to modern dating, and around a dozen couples choosing to marry without ever meeting them.

The former couple confronted each other for the first time in eight months at the reunion and argued in front of the audience as Steven accused Sabrina of lying about his efforts in the relationship.

• How NI sports company turned difficult circumstances into ‘phenomenal’ summer
• Meet the NI woman who quit her job and booked a one-way flight across the world to live out her dream

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Sabrina revealed she flew to London seven times while Steven admitted that he only flew to Belfast twice.

She also accused him of cancelling a third trip to Belfast just two days before Christmas.

The former director of marketing and communications for a sporting and hospitality business, set up her own consultancy in the last year, which was described on the show as doing well.

However, Steven described his business as taking a hit during the past year.

The hosts cut their back-and-forth off before moving on to speak to other participants. Neither Sabrina or Steven spoke throughout the duration of the rest of the reunion episode.

X user Sharee posted with a persevering face emoji: “Steven and Sabrina had me googling costs of flights to Belfast, could’ve even been way cheaper if he planned ahead. That man didn’t want to lift a finger”.

Another user Kate posted alongside a video of a dejected-looking Elmo walking along a street with a heart balloon: “Watching this Sabrina and Steven conversation is really hurting me like damn how did we lose the plot this bad?”

Over several weeks, the newly-engaged couples moved in together, plan their wedding and found out if their physical connection matches their strong emotional bond developed in the pods.

When their wedding day arrived, they needed to choose whether to ultimately go ahead marrying the person they fell blindly in love with.

The cast of the show included a glamorous dancer adopted as a baby, an unlucky in love woman who was engaged for just 24 hours, a funeral director and the best friend of England footballer Ivan Toney.

The singles ranged in age from 27 to 38.

Sabrina had been described by the show as “unlucky in love” and “hoping to meet the man of her dreams in the experiment”.

"She hasn’t had much luck with men in her dating life which has led to her being hyper independent,” Netflix added.

“Sabrina believes the pods will give her an opportunity to get deep with men from the get-go. She hopes to find someone who has worked through their own issues and wants to grow with her to be the best versions of themselves.”

• Love Is Blind UK review: Everyone is so hot, the whole concept becomes redundant

@melissanathoo The #LoveIsBlindUK girls are all in therapy since the show and that’s a good thing! #loveisblind #loveisblindnetflix #realityshow #realitytv @SabrinaVittoriaEgerton ♬ original sound - Melissa Nathoo

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Critic’s Pick

‘My Love Affair With Marriage’ Review: A Tale of Love and Loss

This animated musical about a young woman’s sexual and romantic awakening uses a gloriously tactile aesthetic.

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By Natalia Winkelman

“You’re not a complete person without your soul mate,” croon three mythical birdlike women early in the coming-of-age musical “My Love Affair With Marriage.” The vocal trio — who fall somewhere between a Greek chorus and the “Macbeth” weird sisters — are among countless whimsical devices that elevate this beguiling animated feature, which traces the sexual and romantic awakening of a young woman in the Soviet Union.

Written and directed with wild imagination by the Latvian filmmaker Signe Baumane (“Rocks in My Pockets”), the film follows Zelma (voiced by Dagmara Dominczyk) over 23 years as she transforms from spunky kid to lovelorn teenager to restless wife to realized artist — all while entangled in a double helix of fallacies about female worth and feminine purpose. Alternating between sass and sincerity, Baumane methodically identifies the origins of these myths and then traces how they pinball Zelma through a series of agonies and ecstasies.

It’s a moody, unpredictable tale of love and loss, stuffed with vivid metaphors, Soviet period detail and pedagogical sequences about the physiology of love. The glue holding these disparate pieces together is the film’s gloriously tactile aesthetic: Baumane crafted Zelma’s world by overlaying line-drawn characters on meticulously constructed papier-mâché dioramas. The result evokes an adult puppet show crossed with a graphic novel, and like the budding female identity the film untangles, the whole thing takes a little time getting used to. Once you do, it is remarkably beautiful.

My Love Affair With Marriage Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 47 minutes. In theaters.

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• DVD & Streaming

Marriage Story

Content caution.

In Theaters

• November 6, 2019
• Scarlett Johansson as Nicole Barber; Adam Driver as Charlie Barber; Laura Dern as Nora Fanshaw; Alan Alda as Bert Spitz; Ray Liotta as Jay; Azhy Robertson as Henry Barber; Julie Hagerty as Sandra; Merritt Wever as Cassie

Home Release Date

• December 6, 2019
• Noah Baumbach

Distributor

Movie review.

Divorce is the Judas of relationships. It betrays our happy endings.

Oh, we know full well that not all endings are happy. Our lives come freighted with sadness. Our lives are filled with goodbyes.

Marriage has its goodbye, too—but it’s designed to end only when we do. The institution itself was built to last. For better or worse, we say. For richer or poorer. ’Til death do us part. b A happy ending.

When Nicole and Charlie exchanged their vows, they thought it’d be forever. He made her feel alive. She made him feel special. She was the famous star of a teen sex comedy back then, he a little-known director of avant-garde plays. But together, they were something else.

They made that something in New York City. And if his star rose a bit faster than hers, it didn’t matter that much. (Or, Nicole confesses, it shouldn’t matter.) Offstage, they made lives for themselves—and a baby, too. And even if little Henry struggled to read and suffered the occasional nightmare, they both loved him dearly.

But after so many years together, do they still feel the same about each other?

Charlie’s so self-centered. Nicole’s so messy. Why don’t you understand me? Why can’t you listen? The words they should say—the words they long to say—lie buried in the detrius of anger and recrimination. Warm embraces turn to cold kisses on the cheek in a garden they made themselves, a garden grown cold and dark.

For their relationship, a happy ending seems out of the question.

What looms instead is just the end.

Positive Elements

We get to know Charlie and Nicole, and we like them both. Neither is perfect, of course, and each bears some responsibility for the sorry state of their marriage. But underneath the hurt and, sometimes, the vitriol, we believe they still care about each other—and they both love their little boy.

But perhaps the most important message we can take away from Marriage Story is quite simple: Divorce is horrible . And the agony it inflicts doesn’t just sequester itself to husband and wife: Like ripples in a pool, the misery reaches children, family and friends.

Spiritual Elements

Sexual content.

Charlie, we learn, has had an affair with his stage manager, which doesn’t help him and Nicole to stay together. Charlie blames the affair on Nicole’s sudden sexual reticence: We learn that they hadn’t slept together for a year when Charlie began his on-the-side relationship. And when Charlie rejects the stage manager’s advances during his separation from Nicole, the manager finds the whole thing rather confusing. They “did it” when Charlie and Nicole were married, which they shouldn’t have done. “Now that you’re not married, shouldn’t we … be doing it?” We hear other references to the affair during divorce proceedings.

Nicole—motivated, it seems, by both revenge and a desire to explore her newfound sexual freedom—makes a very specific sexual request of a casual lover in the heat of the moment. An actor advises Charlie to be promiscuous, too—with “as many people as you can. Men. Women.”

Nicole’s father was apparently gay, and we hear how Nicole’s mom once caught him in a sexual act with a hotel porter. (Mom feels bad that she made such a big deal about it.) Nicole confesses to her divorce lawyer that when she first met Charlie, “the talking was better than the sex.”

Nicole kisses a new beau. Charlie quizzes Henry about whether his mother’s dating or not. Nicole’s divorce layer, Nora Fanshaw, seems to lightly flirt with Charlie and wears outfits designed to flatter her curves. In flashback, we see a glimpse of the sexy movie scene that made Nicole famous. Nicole’s character begins to lift up a shirt: While the scene is stopped before we see anything critical, we learn (in several conversations) that she flashed the camera in the movie itself.

Violent Content

Charlie, reluctantly demonstrating for a relationship evaluator a private joke that he and Henry share, moves a small box knife down his forearm. He explains to the evaluator that he retracts the blade when he does it for Henry, and Henry thinks it’s pretty funny. But while demonstrating this “joke,” Charlie actually forgets the blade is open. The resulting wound bleeds like crazy (to both tragic and comic effect), and Charlie eventually collapses in the kitchen with a wad of paper towels wrapped around his arm.

An argument between Nicole and Charlie escalates—culminating in one wishing the other was dead.

Crude or Profane Language

Nearly 40 f-words and more than a dozen s-words—including some uses by 8-year-old Henry. We also hear “a–,” “b–ch,” “d–n,” “h—” “d–k,” t-ts” and an extremely crude reference to the male anatomy. God’s name is misused five times, four with “d–n.” Jesus’ name is abused three times.

Drug and Alcohol Content

One night, when Charlie and Nicole are getting along relatively well, the couple puts Henry to bed and tucks him in. Nicole slips a bit on one of the stairs and Charlie gently grabs her arm—a gesture of long-practiced intimacy—and they both chuckle. Nicole blames the wine.

That moment becomes fodder in divorce court, when Charlie’s lawyer paints Nicole as unconscionably drunk while putting Henry to bed. To her own lawyer, Nicole admits that she’ll sometimes split a bottle of wine with a friend if they order one for dinner. (Otherwise, she insists, she sticks with just a glass with dinner.) She also confesses that she’s used drugs (marijuana and cocaine, and possibly others) in the not-so-distant past.

Both Nicole and Charlie drink, and we see a few gatherings of Charlie’s theater troupe in bars. We hear that Charlie grew up in a home where alcohol was abused (and Charlie was, too.)

Other Negative Elements

If there’s anything worse than divorce, this movie suggests, it’s divorce lawyers. “The system rewards bad behavior,” Nora tells Nicole: The stronger the accusations, the wilder the demands, the more likely you are to actually get what you want. And this turns divorces that could be settled amicably without lawyers into bitter, vitriolic feuds.

Charlie and Nicole both fall prey to the system, and two people who used to love each other begin to think the worst of each other instead. Regrets turn into recriminations, and blame is bandied about like a tetherball. The time a child spends with each parent can become a massively contentious issue: “Many people fight for that time and don’t even use it,” Nora says. “They just want to win.”

And so it goes with Charlie and Nicole: Charlie fights to bring Henry back to New York with him, despite Henry’s clear preference for his Los Angeles school, friends and environment.

“He needs to know that I fought for him!” Charlie tells his lawyer.

“He’ll know ,” the lawyer tries to say, but to little avail.

Elsewhere, we also hear quite a bit about Henry’s bathroom habits.

“Criminal lawyers see bad people at their best,” one divorce lawyer says. “Divorce lawyers see good people at their worst.”

A couple of good, caring people are shown at their worst here. And while Marriage Story offers many moments of uncomfortable levity, the laughs aren’t enough to obscure the central tragedy at its core.

Marriage Story is a somewhat autobiographical movie—one that director Noah Baumbach wrote in the aftermath of his divorce from actress Jennifer Jason Leigh. As such, you might think that the film would suggest that this fictional divorce—the broken relationship so effectively painted by Baumbach—was sad, but inevitable. And maybe, to some, that could be the takeaway here.

But for me, watching Marriage Story , the comic tragedy that unfolds comes with a more tragic component: An inevitable What if?

What if Charlie could’ve seen how selfish he could be and made steps to correct it? What if Nicole could’ve given him another chance? What if? What if?

Marriage Story feels like a bundle of missed opportunities—tears hidden when they should’ve been shown, angry words swallowed instead of spoken.

“Maybe if we stayed married, it could be better?” Nicole tearfully asks divorce lawyer Nora.

Wrong person to ask.

“What we’re doing is an act of hope ,” Nora tells her.

But it’s not.

We tend to think of hope as an emotion. A wish. “I hope it’ll be a better day tomorrow.” “I hope I win the lottery.” But in his biography Paul , N.T. Wright tells us that in the Apostle’s writings, hope was much more significant.

“Hope could be, and often was, a dogged and deliberate choice when the world seemed dark,” he writes. “It depended not on a feeling about the way things were or the way they were moving, but on faith, faith in the One God.”

“‘Hope’ in this sense is not a feeling,” Wright continues. “It is a virtue.”

Paul’s commitment to God is not as wildly different to a marriage as we might at first think. When he dedicated himself to serving Christ, it was for better or worse, for richer or poorer. If we’re familiar with the Scriptures at all, we know that Paul’s mortal life would’ve likely been much easier had he just separated himself from God—or, at the very least, from his zeal to tell the world about Him.

But Paul didn’t “hope”, or wish, for his trials to be over. He called the Almighty the “God of hope” in Romans 15. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer,” he writes a few chapters earlier. The words hope and tribulation are separated by just a handful of letters.

Obviously, placing our hope in God is very much different than placing our hope in a spouse. Anyone who’s been married any length of time knows that our husbands and wives fall far short of perfection.

And yet to push through even the most difficult moments of marriage with hope —despite the pain, despite the tribulation—that’s a beautiful thing. It’s a virtue.

Obviously, Charlie’s infidelity casts a pall over his marriage with Nicole. But we see in context that his unfaithfulness wasn’t actually the biggest issue with their marriage. Instead, we’re left with the impression of a lingering love—love sullied by a whole bunch of problems to be sure—is still there.

That love caused Charlie and Nicole to make a lifelong commitment to each other. That love was still worth fighting for. And had they fought for their love as much and as hard as they fought for custody, maybe Marriage Story would’ve been about a marriage … not a divorce.

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

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Home » Movies » Love Marriage »

Love Marriage

• 4.8 OTTplay Rating

Dipu has always wished for a love marriage so when he falls in love with Shaon, he is above the moon. But things get complicated when Dipu's father opposes to the marriage. Dipu and Shaon plot to take Dipu's father to Shaon's home, hoping that the elders will get along and bless their union. In a hilarious turn of events, it turns out Dipu's father and Shaon's mother were once in a relationship. The elderly couple rekindle their affection for one another much to the awe and confusion of Dipu and Shaon. Love Marriage is a Bengali romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Padmanabha Dasgupta, produced under the banner of Surinder films. The movie stars Ranjit Mallick, Ankush Hazra, Oindrila Sen, Sohag Sen and Aparajita Adhya in major roles. The film's soundtrack has been composed by Savvy.

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The 10 Best Marriage of Convenience Shows and Movies You Must Watch

The proposal (2009).

When overbearing book editor Margaret Tate learns she is in danger of losing her visa status and being deported, she forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her. What starts as a desperate attempt to save her career soon spirals into an unexpected romantic journey neither of them anticipated. This delightful comedy showcases the impeccable chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

Anna Karenina (2012)

Set in Imperial Russia, 'Anna Karenina' tells the tragic story of Anna, the wife of an officer, who becomes romantically entangled with a charming cavalry officer, Vronsky. Their affair has the potential to destroy her reputation in the high society of St. Petersburg. Directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightley, this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel is a visual masterpiece that explores the complexities of love and social obligations.

Green Card (1990)

Urban horticulturalist Brontë Mitchell needs a partner to secure her dream apartment, which the building's board will only rent to a married couple. Georges Fauré, a waiter from France with an expiring visa, needs an American wife to stay in the country. Their marriage of convenience leads to both hilarity and tension as they struggle to live together and convince the immigration service their marriage is genuine. Andie MacDowell and Gérard Depardieu's performances shine in this romantic comedy.

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

During a wild vacation in Las Vegas, career woman Joy McNally and playboy Jack Fuller realize they've married each other after a night of drunken escapades. They are compelled by legal reasons to live as a couple, with a large sum of money at stake. As they navigate their new reality, hilarity and unexpected romance ensue, making this a fun ride from start to finish. Starring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher, this comedy keeps you entertained throughout.

Love Comes Softly (2003)

Nineteen-year-old pioneer woman Marty has just married and moved west with her husband Clem, hoping to start a new life. However, Clem's sudden death leaves her alone and pregnant. Widower Clark offers her a marriage of convenience for mutual benefits: she needs support, and he needs help with his daughter, Missie. This heartfelt drama explores themes of love, loss, and resilience, capturing the essence of life in the pioneer era.

The Magic of Ordinary Days (2005)

Set during WWII, 'The Magic of Ordinary Days' tells the story of Livy, an educated young woman who finds herself pregnant out of wedlock. Pressured by her father, she agrees to marry Ray Singleton, a lonely farmer. Despite the unromantic start, Livy and Ray gradually discover a deep connection. This beautifully told story underscores the magic that can be found in life's simplest moments.

Ned and Stacey (1995-1996)

This 90s sitcom centers on the unlikely pairing of self-centered ad executive Ned and liberal journalist Stacey, who enter into a marriage of convenience for different motives. Ned needs to boost his business image, while Stacey is drawn to his swanky apartment. Over time, their bickering and contrasting personalities lead to many comedic situations. 'Ned and Stacey' remains a beloved show for its witty humor and engaging performances.

Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

A revenge-seeking gold digger marries a womanizing Beverly Hills lawyer with the aim of making a killing in a divorce, but her plan soon goes awry. Starring George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones, this dark comedy by the Coen Brothers explores themes of love, betrayal, and deception, all wrapped in a hilariously cynical package.

Fools Rush In (1997)

After a one-night stand with Alex, Isabel realizes she is pregnant, leading them to decide to marry. The couple then has to navigate cultural differences and compromises. This romantic comedy, starring Matthew Perry and Salma Hayek, endears itself to viewers with its heartfelt exploration of what it means to make a relationship work against the odds.

A Marriage of Convenience (1998)

Successful businesswoman Chris Winsor gives up her career to raise her deceased sister's son. Eight years later, his biological father, who was unaware of his son's existence, learns of this and demands a role in his life. To avoid upsetting the child, a judge suggests they marry. What begins as a legal arrangement soon grows into genuine affection, thanks in part to the young boy's matchmaking efforts.

In conclusion, these movies and shows offer a unique twist on the classic romance genre, turning marriages of convenience into unexpectedly profound emotional journeys. Whether they make you laugh, cry, or swoon, each one provides its own delightful adventure. So, grab some popcorn, cozy up, and let these stories of love and convenience sweep you off your feet.

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Love Marriage

Dipu is in love with Shaon but he is unable to marry her because his father is against love marriage. However Dipu manages to convince his father to go to Shaon's place but it turns out that... Read all Dipu is in love with Shaon but he is unable to marry her because his father is against love marriage. However Dipu manages to convince his father to go to Shaon's place but it turns out that Shaon's mother was Dipu's father ex-girlfriend. What will happen next? Will Dipu and Shao... Read all Dipu is in love with Shaon but he is unable to marry her because his father is against love marriage. However Dipu manages to convince his father to go to Shaon's place but it turns out that Shaon's mother was Dipu's father ex-girlfriend. What will happen next? Will Dipu and Shaon get married?

• Premendu Bikash Chaki
• Padmanabha Dasgupta
• Aparajita Adhya
• Debnath Chatterjee
• Ankush Hazra
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• Rajma Koley.
• Apr 26, 2023
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• April 14, 2023 (India)
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These Are the Most Honest and Realistic Movies About Marriage

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Films about love and romance are ever-abundant, but movies that truly depict the lives of married people realistically are few and far between. These films don’t come too often, but they manage to capture the essence of what it’s like to be in a committed relationship and the hardships that come with that in a way that is relatable to everyone. Movies like these don’t try to force an opinion but rather exist as an exhibition of reality without judgment. Many of these movies have even won Academy Awards and been celebrated by the masses, some going as far as to be revered as classics.

Such films are crafted by someone who knows what it’s like to be or has been in that situation, often pulling inspiration from the very source that hurt or inspired them. Although not all realistic movies about marriage are dark and bleak, unfortunately, for some reason, a lot of them are. Whatever that says about the institution, these are the most honest and realistic movies about marriage.

Updated April 21, 2023, by Danilo Raul : If you love honest romance movies, you'll be happy to know we've updated this article and added more suggestions for films that showcase the realism of marriage.

20 Cherry (2021)

After playing Spider-Man in the MCU, Tom Holland took a detour to drama guided by The Russo Brothers. The result was Cherry , the 2021 film, depicts a romanticized version of a wrecked marriage. Cherry meets and falls in love with Emily but doesn't feel he's got something to show for it, so he enlists in the Marines. After returning from war, Cherry has to deal with mental issues and PTSD, which leads him to become addicted to opioids.

His wife cannot help him in any way, joins him into darkness, and fuels Cherry's misguided attempts at bank robberies to get money and pay for their drug addiction. After multiple heists, Cherry gets one of his friends killed off, which leads him to prison for 14 years. Emily sticks with him despite their toxic relationship and sobers up alongside him to get together with him again after his release.

19 Walk The Line (2005)

Walk the Line tells the most remarkable love story ever told in music. It's not pretty, but it offers a realistic approach that some people may find relatable. The film depicts the road to stardom for Johnny Cash ( played by Joaquin Phoenix ), from his early days married to Vivian Liberto, who was very supportive of his choices. Vivian plays an integral role in the rise of Johnny as a musician until June Carter (played by Reese Witherspoon) enters the picture.

Vivian can see the writing on the wall, but Johnny only has eyes for June from then on. This moment of conflict drives him to abuse drugs and alcohol until he musters the courage to propose to June, who can't seem to find the same feelings for this wreck of a man. After he manages to clean up his act, she finally accepts him and becomes the love of his life, as often referred to in his music about her.

18 Manchester by The Sea (2016)

Manchester by The Sea is a somber film following the story of Lee Chandler, masterfully played by Casey Affleck. He begins the film married to a beautiful woman named Randi with two kids. A house fire happens, and the couple loses both children. The couple cannot deal with the tragedy, which eventually drives them apart to divorce.

We get a hold of Lee some years later with no will to live when his brother's sudden passing leaves his teenage nephew, Patrick, at his doorstep, with Lee now being the boy's sole guardian. Patrick does his best to help Lee move on, but Lee realizes the only way to do so is by going away from everything that hurts him. Ultimately, Lee makes arrangements to leave his nephew with a good family while he moves out to Boston to lead a new life.

17 Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Kramer vs. Kramer is the film that made Meryl Streep a powerhouse in Hollywood, earning her a second nomination to the Academy Awards for best supporting actress and her first Oscar win . She was competing with Jane Alexander in the same category for the same film. Kramer vs. Kramer had a significant impact on the year it was released. It was the first time a movie depicted the nuclear family having a meltdown of epic proportions.

The father, Ted Kramer, played by Dustin Hoffman , is a workaholic who lands a big win for his company. His wife Joanna feels relegated and neglected by her husband, prompting her to leave him. Ted realizes he doesn't have a bond with his son, but he continues to contest custody from Joanna until the couple's neighbor testifies against him. Ted realizes that he must forge a bond with his son if he genuinely wants his love, thus letting him go with his mother in the end.

16 American Beauty (1999)

American Beauty is another film portraying the superficiality plaguing modern American marriage in the twilling of Yuppie Culture. Masterfully played by the ever-creepy Kevin Spacey , Lester Burnham wakes up one day to realize he's massively unfulfilled with his life. He doesn't love his neurotic, ambitious wife, Carolyn (played by Annet Benning). Meanwhile, their daughter, Jane, struggles with self-esteem while deposing them secretly. The film plays with multiple themes related to adult maturity, responsibility, parental roles, and closeted homosexuality.

The Fitts family enters the picture, with their son Ricky (Wes Bentley) dealing drugs. Lester becomes infatuated with Angela, a young girlfriend of his daughter. Carolyn has an affair with a business rival. Frank Fitts, a military man, thinks his neighbor and son are entangled in homosexual behavior when he struggles with his urges.

It's a full-blown exploration of the discontent and disillusionment of married life, leading to tragic consequences… And five Oscars wins, including Best Actor, Director, and Film of the Year.

15 Casino (1995)

Casino is a film with multiple stories from different POVs, but the movie also depicts the consequences of transactional marriages. Sam "Ace" Rothstein (played by Robert DeNiro) is sent to Las Vegas by the Chicago Mafia to run the Tangiers Casino; He quickly doubles the profits by evolving the game in the city of lights. Sam falls in love with a hustler and former prostitute, Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone). She doesn't love him, yet he still wants her by her side. Ginger is very open to Sam about his feelings from the get-go.

Ginger has difficulty letting go of her past, especially her former boyfriend and pimp, Lester Diamond (James Woods). Sam tries to keep tabs on his wife with a pager, but she can't be controlled . She cheats on him with Nicky Santoro, Sam's longtime friend, and enforcer. When the dust settles, Ginger leaves Sam, taking one million dollars in cash and jewelry, which she spends lavishly until dying from an overdose. Sam never really had a chance trying to control such a free spirit, especially in attempting to transform her into a housewife.

14 Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This little film, released in 2012, follows Pat Solitano Jr (played by Bradley Cooper), who is released from a mental health facility after being treated for bipolar disorder. The man puts some effort into trying to reconnect with his ex-wife, Nikki. He eventually meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who offers to deliver a letter to Nikki if Pat agrees to partner with her for a dancing competition.

As they practice, Pat develops feelings for Tiffany while wanting to win Nikki back. Pat struggles to save his marriage, but some relationships are beyond saving , especially when your partner has moved on without you or was never supportive during hard times. Pat eventually realizes his genuine feelings for Tiffany, and they begin a relationship.

13 I, Tonya (2017)

Based on actual life events, I, Tonya , depict the life of ice skater Tonya Harding (played by modern Barbie girl Margot Robbie) and the significant role her toxic marriage to Jeff Gillooly played in her downfall. From the start, we can see Tanya always had great potential, but her surroundings conspired against her best efforts. That's not to say she's a faultless victim of the circumstances. Throughout the film, Tonya is frequently abused by her husband, yet she chooses to stay by his side.

Even as their marriage becomes increasingly strained and Jeff becomes more controlling and manipulative, she sticks with him. This would eventually lead to the infamous attack on Tonya's rival, Nancy Kerrigan, resulting in Tonya's ban from competitive figure skating. Jeff would ultimately implicate Tonya in the attack, leading to her being banned from the sport for life. The film finishes with a quick recount of Tonya's life, married to a new partner and happy but a tarnished legacy thanks to Jeff's actions.

12 Husband and Wives (1992)

Woody Allen hasn’t been in Hollywood’s best graces for a while , but the man has an undeniable talent to portray life in ways that seem commonplace for some but unconventional for the masses. He's never been a huge box office drawn, but all his films depict humanity in their most raw form, especially relationships and marriage. Husbands and Wives is one of those works. The movie tells the story of two couples in the process of being separated and all the complexities that come after parting ways. Allen and then wife, Mia Farrow, play one of the leading couples, and Judy Davis and Sidney Polack play the other half of the POV characters.

Each character struggles with feelings towards their partners and desires for love and companionship. The film begins with Jack and Sally informing Gabe and Judy about their separation. This inconsequential occurrence involves infidelity, jealousy, and failed attempts at new relationships. After a series of ups and downs, Jack and Sally reconcile, while Gabe and Judy end their relationship. The film ends with all characters reflecting on the difficulties of marriage and their choices to get there.

11 Marriage Story (2019)

Noah Baumbach’s intense relationship drama was heavily based on his own experiences when he divorced Jennifer Jason Leigh in 2013. The meticulously-crafted film puts the dying relationship between Nicole and Charlie Barber ( played by Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, respectively) under the microscope, closely examining their marriage that’s falling apart while they try to keep their family together.

Marriage Story received critical acclaim and was, per Variety , nominated in six categories at the 92nd annual Academy Awards and the 77th Golden Globe Awards, with Laura Dern (who plays Nora Franshaw, Nicole’s lawyer) winning Best Supporting Actress at both ceremonies. Baumbach made a film that’s deeply personal to him, yet is still relatable to anyone who’s going through a similar situation. The film takes no sides in portraying one person to be "better" than the other, but instead just shows the audience the situation as it is. It’s the raw emotion running throughout the film and its performances that keep people on the edge of their seats.

Related: 7 Movies Like Marriage Story on Netflix You Should Watch Next

10 Amour (2012)

Amour was screened at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or Award, and was nominated for five Oscars when it was released in 2012, earning director Michael Haneke the award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 85th Academy Awards . This film sees a marriage put to the test in an inevitable sort of way. It's a view of marriage at the end of the line after a long life spent together. It's a heartbreaking look at co-dependency and the enduring persistence of love when faced with the worst possible outcomes.

Loosely based on Haneke's experience of witnessing his aunt suffer a degenerative stroke, the film follows Anne and George, two retired piano teachers who have spent their lives together and still have a happy marriage. After a stroke and a failed operation leave Anne half paralyzed, George dedicates himself as her caregiver. The demanding care for his wife puts George to the test as he's forced to watch his wife slowly wither away.

Amour is a heartbreaking look at love and death, and forces viewers to ask themselves, "What will happen when we get old, and who will take care of us?" It's awful, yet honest, which is what makes Amour one of the most emotional and heartbreaking romances ever made.

9 Fences (2016)

Directed by Denzel Washington, who also played the lead character, Fences was nominated for four Academy Awards and took home one: Viola Davis's first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Based on the August Wilson play of the same name, the film takes place in times of segregation and social injustices. It follows a Black family headed by a domineering father, worn down by a life and full of contempt and shortcomings. While not specifically a film about marriage, the union between Rose and Troy is a crucial focal point in the narrative.

In the beginning, Troy has a loving marriage with his wife Rose, but a tense one with his son Cory. Feeling stagnant in life, he finds solace in another woman, but is forced to tell Rose when he learns that his mistress is pregnant. In Fences 's toughest scene, Rose calls Troy out on his hypocrisies and reminds him that she dedicated her life to making him happy, and he wasn't the only one who made sacrifices. Troy essentially destroys his family because he kept his feelings bottled up for years until his wife and son were caught in the inevitable eruption.

It's both a harsh look at a man's self-destruction, but also an examination of the consequences of selfishness in marriage and a failure to communicate.

8 Revolutionary Road (2008)

Based on Richard Yates’ novel of the same name, Sam Mendes’ Revolutionary Road was a film that reunited actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, and Kathy Bates since their last on-screen performance together in James Cameron’s Titanic , though it couldn't be more different from that epic success. While it was nominated in three categories at the 81st annual Academy Awards and received critical acclaim, it earned a modest $76 million against a $35 million budget.

Revolutionary Road tells the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a couple in a struggling relationship in the 1950s . In an attempt to revive their relationship, April proposes that they move to Paris, where she can pursue her dream of becoming an actress and become the breadwinner of the family, while Frank can take the time to find out what his passions are. The undying question of whether they will make it to Paris forms the rest of this narrative. Roger Ebert cites this film as being the sad ending to DiCaprio and Winslet’s characters in Titanic, because this is what happens to marriages built on romance and romance alone.

7 Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012)

Upon first glance, this 2012 rom-com starring Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones would seem like an unlikely fit for a list of realistic movies about marriages, but one watch of this flick will undoubtedly change any naysayer's mind. Instead of traditional romantic comedies with the usual meet-cutes, Celeste and Jesse Forever starts with the couple already broken up.

Nominated for Best First Screenplay at the 28th Independent Spirit Awards and in two categories at the 13th Black Reel Awards, Celeste and Jesse Forever was co-written by Jones with her writing partner Will McCormack, and tells the story of a separated couple in the process of getting divorced, who actively try to maintain a healthy friendship with each other while they seek out different potential partners.

According to Jones in a conversation with Vanity Fair , the film is inspired by her real-life experiences of having friends where the woman who “has it all together” more often than not ends up with a man who is the exact opposite and tries to actively change his ways simply because they don’t get his lifestyle.

6 Scenes from a Marriage (1974)

No list of realistic films about marriage is complete without Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage . This Swedish film (which was originally a miniseries) chronicles the years of love and hatred between Johan and Marianne (played by Liv Ullmann and Erland Josephson, respectively) is cited as being an influence for filmmakers such as Woody Allen and Richard Linklater, where the latter would go on to make one of the most realistic depictions of romance ever put to film.

Besides directing, Scenes from a Marriage was also written by Bergman, who pulled inspiration from his own experiences, including his 5-year relationship with his muse and frequent partner, Liv Ullmann. The film is hailed as “one of Bergman’s finest human portrayals,” made it into the Criterion Collection, and was also included in the 100 Greatest Foreign-Language Films list by BBC in 2018.

A remake of the miniseries was released in 2021 on HBO and met with positive reviews from critics. It was developed, written and directed by Hagai Levi, and starred Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain.

Related: These are the Best Movie Marriage Proposals of All Time

5 The One I Love (2014)

Although not realistic in its premise, Charlie McDowell’s 2014 directorial debut starring Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss was most definitely realistic in its depiction of a defunct couple trying to save their failing marriage. The One I Love dips its toes into the bizarre by including Doppelgängers and magical force fields in order to vividly describe the abstract emotions going on between the couple, Ethan (Duplass) and Sophie (Moss), that would otherwise be impossible to comprehend outside of language.

It’s one of those movies that will leave audiences scratching their head at first, but once you’ve familiarized yourself with what’s going on, you’ll be sucked into the heart of the story in no time. Taking place almost entirely at a single location with only two actors, The One I Love proves how much one can do with very little . For a film of this scale, it does have a lot to say about relationships, identity, and fate.

4 A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Ron Howard’s movie about mathematical genius John Nash swept up big at the 74th Annual Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Connelly. It was also nominated in four other categories that same night (Best Actor, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup, and Best Original Score).

A Beautiful Mind tells the story of Nash, who works undercover for the government to combat a Russian plot against America. However, things don’t go as planned, as John’s mental state begins to crumble, causing tension between him and his family. The film exhibits a truthful depiction of what it’s like to be in a relationship with someone suffering from mental illness, and is only elevated by Russell Crowe’s portrayal of said character, who gives arguably the best performance of his career up to that point.

3 Minari (2020)

2020’s Minari captivated the hearts of millions when it was released. The film's simple premise of a Korean family who moves to America in hope of finding a better life resonated with audiences everywhere, as it's usually the most simplistic of things that speak the loudest.

Written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung, Minari pulled no punches when it came to delivering vulnerable and honest emotions, especially regarding the tribulations of marriage and family. The film was nominated in six categories at the 93rd annual Academy Awards, with Youn Yuh-jung making Oscar history as the first Korean to ever win an Academy Award for acting when she won Best Supporting Actress for portraying the sweet and lovable grandmother, Soon-ja.

In an article published by the Los Angeles Times , director Lee Isaac Chung talked about how he came up with the idea to write Minari . In it, Chung explained that he reflected on a quote by novelist Willa Cather that read, "Life began for me, when I ceased to admire and began to remember,” and deeply resonated with it. It became the catalyst that became the driving force for this film, which resulted in one truly remarkable end-product that explores the difficulty of trying to maintain a relationship in stressful situations. Minari ’s depiction of a family trying to make an honest living in a foreign land became an important story that needed to be told in the wake of the \movement to include more persons of color in the industry.

This was further solidified with Steven Yeun’s nomination for Best Actor at the Oscars, where a vast majority of the nominees that year were persons of color.

2 Blue Valentine (2010)

Widely regarded as one of the most truthful and vulnerable film about relationships, Derek Cianfrance’s Blue Valentine is a masterfully crafted and honest depiction of the tragedies of love. The film stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, who play a couple in a doomed relationship as we see flashbacks to times when they were head over heels for one another.

Williams was nominated for Best Actress at the 83rd annual Academy Awards and both Gosling and Williams were nominated for Best Actor and Actress respectively at the 68th Golden Globe Awards. Blue Valentine goes to great lengths to tell an emotionally complex and authentic film in a non-linear narrative, about two very different people who are forced to stay with one another because they have a child together. The film beautifully captures the sadness and disillusionment of a doomed relationship, and the noble beauty (and often futility) of trying to make it work, and is one that is guaranteed to be a certified tear-jerker by the time you reach the end of it.

1 The Before Trilogy (1995 - 2013)

Richard Linklater’s The Before Trilogy is the quintessential cinematic experience that depicts not just marriage, but the essence of romance itself honestly and realistically. These films follow Jesse and Céline (played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, respectively) as they become acquainted on a train where their relationship blooms into a budding romance up until their married life.

Each installment is set years apart from its predecessor, giving us little glimpses into their lives spread across the span of 18 years.

The first entry of the trilogy, Before Sunrise holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and received critical acclaim with critics praising Hawke and Delpy’s chemistry and the casual style of dialogue that flows so naturally between the characters. The second and third entries, Before Sunset and Before Midnight , were met with equal and sometimes higher acclaim, earning nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 77th and 86th annual Academy Awards.

With a series covering the introduction, absence, marriage, and dissatisfaction of a relationship, the trilogy is arguably the greatest set of films about marriage and romance ever made.

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Love, wedding, marriage.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 1 Review
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Common Sense Media Review

Ho-hum romcom covers well-worn material; some iffy stuff.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this romantic dramedy about a marriage counselor trying to save her own relationship as well as that of her parents isn't too likely to appeal to tweens and young teens, despite the fact that Kellan Lutz (of the Twilight movies) and Mandy Moore star. The subject matter is a bit…

Why Age 14+?

Discussions about affairs. A couple is seen making out in bed; the man is shirtl

An inebriated wedding guest blubbers and acts obnoxiously. Characters partake of

Words include "slut," "ass," "hell," "bastard," and "piss." Also a lot of "Jesus

Couples bicker pretty cruelly.

Any Positive Content?

The movie's main message is that marriage can be difficult, and to make it work

A mother tells her daughter to behave as a daughter rather than a therapist, and

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Discussions about affairs. A couple is seen making out in bed; the man is shirtless. Another pair kisses each other often, including in public. A man talks about getting "boobs" in another man's face, alluding to strip joints. A woman clad only in a bra and jeans has a man drink shots out of her navel. A woman walks around in her fancy undies.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

An inebriated wedding guest blubbers and acts obnoxiously. Characters partake of wine and take shots off a woman's belly. A father-in-law and his son-in-law get drunk.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Words include "slut," "ass," "hell," "bastard," and "piss." Also a lot of "Jesus!" exclamations.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

The movie's main message is that marriage can be difficult, and to make it work over the long run, honesty is mandatory.

Positive Role Models

A mother tells her daughter to behave as a daughter rather than a therapist, and yet she overshares.

Parents need to know that this romantic dramedy about a marriage counselor trying to save her own relationship as well as that of her parents isn't too likely to appeal to tweens and young teens, despite the fact that Kellan Lutz (of the Twilight movies) and Mandy Moore star. The subject matter is a bit mature -- including discussions of affairs and allusions to strip clubs -- and the pacing is slow. There's also some drinking, light swearing, and loud arguing. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Parent and kid reviews.

• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (1)

Based on 1 parent review

My review (spolier alert at end)!

What's the story.

Eva ( Mandy Moore ), a psychologist who's newly married to her boyfriend of two-and-a-half years, Charlie ( Kellan Lutz ), believes in happily ever after. That is, until her own parents' relationship -- which was the inspiration for her career as a marriage counselor, since they worked so well together -- starts to unravel. Eva's mother ( Jane Seymour ) is still smarting over a perceived infidelity when she and her husband were separated; Eva's father (James Brolin) is suddenly religious. Obsessed with helping them work through their problems, Eva starts to neglect her own marriage. Then she discovers that Charlie has a secret of his own.

Is It Any Good?

LOVE, WEDDING, MARRIAGE is as ho-hum as the advice that the supposedly wise Eva dispenses to her hapless clients. The dialogue and plot are ridden with cliches -- for example, during an argument with Charlie, Eva complains, of all things, about the empty toilet paper roll in the bathroom.

Though Moore and Lutz try their best, they just don't have chemistry. (On the other hand, Alyson Hannigan makes a cameo and nearly steals the show. And Seymour is fairly authentic and grounded.) And must every workshop coordinator be loud and quirky? Ultimately, this is one of those paint-by-numbers dramedies that you're better off skipping.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about infidelity. How does the media typically portray it? How does this movie compare? Do you think it's believable?

How does this film compare to other romantic comedies about marriage and honesty? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding relationships.

Movie Details

• In theaters : June 3, 2011
• On DVD or streaming : September 12, 2011
• Cast : Jane Seymour , Kellan Lutz , Mandy Moore
• Director : Dermot Mulroney
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : IFC Entertainment
• Genre : Comedy
• Run time : 91 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : sexual material and language
• Last updated : February 17, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

When Harry Met Sally

He's Just Not That Into You

Something's Gotta Give

Romantic comedies, best classic comedy films.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

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• What is the release date of 'Love Marriage'? Release date of Ankush Hazra and Ranjit Mallick starrer 'Love Marriage' is 2023-04-14.
• Who are the actors in 'Love Marriage'? 'Love Marriage' star cast includes Ankush Hazra, Ranjit Mallick, Aparajita Adhya and Oindrila Sen.
• Who is the director of 'Love Marriage'? 'Love Marriage' is directed by Premendu Bikash Chaki.
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Love, Wedding, Marriage Reviews

Effort confirms that Mulroney is the type of guy who would walk into a Baskin-Robbins and order a single scoop of vanilla in a cup, passing on a myriad of flavors and possibilities to keep the experience as familiar as possible.

Full Review | Original Score: D | Nov 14, 2012

Ho-hum romcom covers well-worn material; some iffy stuff.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jun 7, 2011

An annulment is in order.

Full Review | Jun 3, 2011

Fairly excruciating romantic comedy distinguished by its total lack of romance or comedy.

The script feels like it was written by people who were born yesterday, lacking any awareness of its triteness.

Full Review | Original Score: 0/4 | Jun 3, 2011

A misfire from frenetic start to frantic finish, Dermot Mulroney's filmmaking debut suggests his gifts are best seen in front of the camera.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jun 3, 2011

Except for Brolin as an unlikely born-again Jew, nobody fares well under Mulroney's ham-fisted direction.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Jun 3, 2011

If there is a special hell for film critics, it probably has movies like "Love, Wedding, Marriage" on continuous rotation.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jun 2, 2011

The "romantic" half of Love, Wedding, Marriage's romantic comedy doesn't work, but that isn't nearly as problematic as the film's profound unfunniness.

Full Review | Original Score: D | Jun 2, 2011

"Love Wedding Marriage" is a sitcom stretched the movie length, with almost no laughs.

Full Review | Original Score: .5/5 | Jun 2, 2011

To describe Love, Wedding, Marriage as sitcommy would be an insult to sitcoms, which can and do succeed in inspiring genuine laughter.

Full Review | Jun 2, 2011

This film is a prison -- and a cruel one -- for both the actors in it and the audience watching, one with walls made of rock-hard, impenetrable stupidity and bars of cold-forged clichs.

Full Review | Original Score: 0/5 | Jun 1, 2011

Veteran character actor Dermot Mulroney unleashes his inner cornball for this directorial debut, a softly lit, wind-chimes-scored diversion for the Celestial Seasonings set.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jun 1, 2011

Comprised only of half-hearted melodramatics and schmaltzy bromides, the film offers nothing new but plenty of things that are old, borrowed, and apt to make one blue.

Full Review | May 31, 2011

[VIDEO] There are reasons the institution of marriage is becoming more and more obsolete. "Love, Wedding, Marriage" doesn't help turn the tide.

Full Review | Original Score: D | May 29, 2011

Though it doesn't work as entertainment, this numbingly chipper rom-com (directed by Dermot Mulroney) might be of historical value someday as an A-to-Z guide to the genre's most overworked clichs.

Full Review | Original Score: D | May 27, 2011

Performances range from wooden to hysterical, and it's largely due to Mulroney's inexperience behind the camera.

Full Review | May 6, 2011

An embarrassing sitcom in need of a laugh-track as it is graced by nary a chuckle.

Full Review | Original Score: F | May 4, 2011

Trailer Video

Love Marriage Bengali Movie

Love Marriage is a 2023 Indian movie directed by Premendu Bikash Chaki starring Ankush Hazra, Ranjit Mallick, Aparajita Adhya and Oindrila Sen. The feature film is produced by Surinder Singh and Nispal Singh and the music composed by Savvy.

Director: Premendu Bikash Chaki Producers: Surinder Singh, Nispal Singh Music Director: Savvy Editor: MD Kalam Art Designer: Tapas Sarkar Screenplay Writer: Padmanabha Dasgupta Original Story Writer: Padmanabha Dasgupta

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‘Marriage Story’ movie review: Love, life and heartbreak

Noah baumbach’s devastating new film is a searing portrait of a relationship ending.

Updated - December 16, 2019 05:13 pm IST

Published - December 16, 2019 04:56 pm IST

Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in ‘Marriage Story’

While not similar stories by any means, Marriage Story , much like Room (2015), is a film where thoughts and feelings are articulated so precisely that viewers know exactly what the characters are going through.

Directed by Academy Award-nominated director Noah Baumbach, the film has scored a host of Golden Globe nominations (usually a predictor of how the Oscars will go) including best drama motion picture, best screenplay, and best actor nominations for Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver who play Nicole and Charlie Barber, a couple in the process of getting a divorce.

He is a well-regarded “serious” New York theatre director; she is the lead actor in his theatre company, having had a starring role years earlier in a teen movie titled All Over the Girl.

The film opens with a montage as Charlie and Nicole detail what they love about each other (a note of positivity before things get contentious, says their therapist).

“He rarely gets defeated, which I feel I always do,” says Nicole. “My crazy ideas are her favourite things to figure out how to execute,” says Charlie. They both call the other competitive and praise the other’s skills in parenting their eight-year-old, Henry (Azhy Robertson).

Did Charlie cheat on Nicole, or is Nicole resentful because she gave up what could have been a movie star life to do theatre in New York?

• Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern, Azhy Robertson, Julie Hagerty, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta
• Director: Noah Baumbach
• Runtime: 2 hr 16 minutes
• Storyline : The breakdown of a marriage and its aftermath

The answers come through slowly.

Let’s do this without lawyers, they say in the beginning, aiming to protect their son during the transition and hoping to stay friends.

But as Nicole begins to step out of the large shadow her husband has cast, which starts with making the move to LA with Henry to film a pilot (it’s just temporary insists Charlie to himself and anyone who will listen), she begins to assert herself and what she wants from her life. And in this regard, she is aided by her tough-as-nails-but-sympathetic-to-her-cause lawyer played by Laura Dern (always excellent and also nominated for a Globe) .

But things do get contentious, especially after Charlie fires his old-school lawyer and hires his own bulldozing lawyer played by Ray Liotta. This eventually culminates in a truly-magnificently acted eruption of anger, frustration and resentment carried through the years of their marriage.

Jojo Rabbit hasn’t yet released in India so a comparison can’t be made but this is probably Scarlett’s best performance till date. From a woman who worries about what she is doing and how it affects Charlie and Henry to living life the way she wants to, every emotion is etched on her face. Driver too is excellent as someone who has his own suppressed resentments and who is trying to balance his career and ensure that his son does not slip away from him (children, obviously, do not understand the import of certain actions and sometimes just don’t want to do something. Even if their father flew 5000 miles to see them).

The poignant soundtrack by Randy Newman (also nominated for a Golden Globe) proves to be the perfect accompaniment to the story.

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