Movie Review : Marie And Bruce

Marie And Bruce (2004) (That's Right, No Link. It's Just That Good,) is a 2004 film based on the 1978 Play of the same name by Wallace Shawn (You remember him. You won't know his name, but you remember. Some might remember him as Susan's clingy Agent from Despo, other's as a Voice they heard on many Pixar films, some might even recall the Comedy Director from the Prelude to Melinda & Melinda. If you do remember that scene from Melinda & Melinda, keep that in mind, because it reflects Wallece's style so much it's almost ripped-off from his earlier cult classic, My Dinner With Andre, which is notable enough to deserve a link.)

Starring Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick, the film relates the events of one day in the married life of Marie (See Above) and Bruce (Likewise;) that day being the End of the Beginning of the End of their Marriage - a time when the Typewriters are thrown out the Windows, the Unsaid is Said and the Darlings are added for the extra sting. It's a Comedy.
The film follows the two, both Neurotic, Hostile and just a little bit Pathetic, on their day, as they run errands, attend a party and end the evening with a dinner for two. Marie is featured for much the first part of the film, showing her frustrated demeanour and utter desperation, while being tired and sick at the same time. The heat wave going on doesn't help either, and only adds more for the actors to work off (It looks better in a bad marriage if you're sweaty and wearing a washed-out slip and slippers). Marie's real sickness (she has the flu) is compared to the feelings of sickness - fatigue, nausea, headache - that she has left for Bruce (which are portrayed excellently by Julianne Moore in her scenes with Matthew Broderick.) Away from Bruce though, she has the most surreal experiences, those that highlight the sense of peace and calm she craves and fantasizes about; of finding quiet little gardens and charming company among the dead concrete of New York. Her day focuses more on what she makes of her surroundings, or rather what she wants to make of her surroundings, her senses sometimes working with her, sometimes against. Who we first see as a Bored, Vindictive Nag, actually start feeling sorry for by the end.
Bruce on the other hand, we first see as a Meek, Spectacled Cuckold, in a corner and harassed by his old lady (who begins the day by throwing his typewriter out the window.) He has lunch with his friend before the party, where he enjoys a humorous, and historically significant anecdote about New Yorks sewer system, and a memo regarding their construction. In the later part of the film, when Marie has reached the party after her Surreal experience, we have Bruce relating his day, which really makes us rethink the Shy Dork persona we had chalked him up as. He spends his day walking around aimlessly, doing and thinking nothing much. He goes to a diner, wonders whether he should help a woman sitting next to him with her (possible) sorrows, and then maybe go up to her apartment to fuck her, but decides against it when his (extremely) clumsy attempt falls through; instead, he checks into a seedy hotel to masturbate, where he spies on a woman in the building across the road. All this makes him lose track of time, so he rushes (walking quickly in long strides so as to avoid sweat) to the party. Bruce's description of all this is about as interesting as mine.
At the party their dynamic from breakfast is continued, except Marie is perhaps more sick and tired (mainly from the inane, meaningless conversation around her,) and Bruce has the upper hand for a while. They talk for a while (which is the really fun part,) even though Marie is trying to tell Bruce that she is becoming physically sick and Bruce is just out to have a good time with his friends.
After the party, they leave for dinner, where the Finale takes place. Like the rest of the film, it would be difficult to describe without going line-by-line, but her's a rough outline. Hollow Bruce cannot understand what Sick Marie is trying to tell him, even though she's so pent-up she's practically bursting, and after Bruce gets put-down by the loud men in the next table, Marie let's it all fly out and tells Bruce she's leaving him. Bruce of course doesn't understand, even when Marie describes how he is a non-living person who doesn't care or feel for any other human being, after which Marie bursts out in tears and an apology - whether it is out of the love they once had or just pity, I can't tell. Bruce still holds that she can't leave him, because He loves Her and She Him ... and he got a new typewriter to replace the one that broke this morning.
Now imagine Matthew Broderick looking puzzled and hurt and Julianne Moore screaming in frustration - It makes for a good scene. I really can't describe it well enough, but the ending is the best part of the film, with fine acting by the cast, great dialogue, direction, editing, just a damn good scene. And Funny As Hell. The film ends with them returning home, with Bruce drunk on port and Marie just supporting him till they reach home, which probably shows some insight into their relationship. Or maybe it doesn't, and that's just what they usually do. Whatever. It Ends.

Excellent Acting. Excellent Direction/Editing. Excellent Dialogue. Good Script. Watch It.