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The Story of Us

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The Story of Us

R

Released Oct 15, 1999

1h 34m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

26%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

After 15 years of marriage, Katie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her husband, Ben (Bruce Willis), have grown apart. While they keep up the facade of having a contented marriage, mostly to not worry their children, they aren't happy together and argue frequently. While the kids are away at camp, Katie and Ben decide to separate and try to reassess their relationship to see if they should stay together or split up for good. Can they find enough that's positive in their marriage to keep it going?

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Critics Consensus

A lack of chemistry between Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer fatally undermines the dull and predictable Story of Us.

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Mostly the movie is like the marriage: good casting, golden promise, yet somehow a grating ordeal. The Story of Us means to describe pain; instead, it inflicts it.

Apr 7, 2020

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Stephen Hunter

Washington Post

Folks, I really feel that seeing this one for you is the movie critic's equivalent of jumping on the grenade to save your lives. Send me medals.

Apr 7, 2020

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Noel Murray

AV Club

One of the year's most excruciating, shallow films.

Apr 7, 2020

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

There's no doubt that The Story of Us can tug at the heartstrings, but it should have tried to pull a few mindstrings once in a while.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 27, 2023

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Akos Peterbencze

Vulnerable Man (Medium)

Willis and Pfeiffer deliver what’s required here, but the writing kills their efforts.

Jul 21, 2023

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Tim Brayton

Alternate Ending

A remarkable prism with which to contemplate the even more remarkable fall of Reiner's directorial career.

Rated: 1.5/5

Sep 17, 2022

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Audience Member

Bruce Willis and Michelle phiffer give great performances as a couple whos marrige is falling apart. Although dramatic this film is filled with light humour.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/28/24

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Ron D

Great movie with great chemistry between Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer! I don't know what the other critics are talking about. Hits so many relatable situations during marriage. Also, great soundtrack by Eric Clapton.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/24

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Hayley M

This movie is at times watchable but most of the time slow and painful! It made me feel a little depressed to be fair! The only highlight was laughing at Bruce with long hair that is meant to make him look younger but just ages him more with a receding hairline mullet!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

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Steve D

The story isn't much but the leads make the most of it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/23/23

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Taylor L

You remember that iconic scene from The Matrix, where the kid explains to Neo that "there is no spoon"? Rob Reiner does that in this movie, except it's about his ass instead of a kitchen utensil. Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer are just a bad pairing. They've got no chemistry together, and individually they don't really fit this script particularly well; Willis is not the lighthearted joking guy, and Pfeiffer's tearful confession in the final scene is tough to watch. The ideas of the film were dated when they were written, trying to spice up a repetitive series of shouting matches with a few old-school jokes like running into an annoying tourist couple and playing Hangman under the table, or taking a therapist's claim that "when you make love, your parents are in the bed with you" literally. There's plenty of exasperation, but none of the connectivity or spark that makes you feel bad for the main characters when the chips are down or invigorated when they tearfully patch things up. Mostly just overlong. Not to mention the fact that this film decides to give Willis a creepy long-haired wig in some of the flashbacks. (1.5/5)

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/15/22

Full Review

Audience Member

I came across this movie, and it felt like I was watching a cross between Marriage Story meets when Harry Met Sally. I think it's an important movie to watch. The acting was very good, the script was good and funny. I think it was great to see an honest film about love, marriage, and commitment to the same.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Rob Reiner

Director

Bruce Willis

Ben Jordan

Michelle Pfeiffer

Katie Jordan

Tim Matheson

Marty

Rob Reiner

Stan

Rita Wilson

Rachel

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Synopsis

After 15 years of marriage, Katie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and her husband, Ben (Bruce Willis), have grown apart. While they keep up the facade of having a contented marriage, mostly to not worry their children, they aren't happy together and argue frequently. While the kids are away at camp, Katie and Ben decide to separate and try to reassess their relationship to see if they should stay together or split up for good. Can they find enough that's positive in their marriage to keep it going?

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Jessie Nelson, Rob Reiner, Alan Zweibel
Screenwriter: Alan Zweibel, Jessie Nelson
Distributor: MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Pictures, Polygram
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 15, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.1M
Runtime: 1h 34m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

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