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The Story of Us

Play trailer Poster for The Story of Us R Released Oct 15, 1999 1h 34m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Story of Us

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Akos Peterbencze Vulnerable Man (Medium) Willis and Pfeiffer deliver what’s required here, but the writing kills their efforts. Jul 21, 2023 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Steve D The story isn't much but the leads make the most of it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/23/23 Full Review Jamie G Relatable, funny, romantic, entertaining. Well done. Soundtrack is one of my top favorites. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/28/23 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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The Story of Us

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Movie Info

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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