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The Story of Us

Play trailer Poster for The Story of Us R 1999 1h 34m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
25% Tomatometer 118 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 04/07/2020
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. Go to Full Review Stephen Hunter Washington Post 04/07/2020
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. Go to Full Review Anthony Lane The New Yorker 04/07/2020
By the end, you feel drained and disaffected, as if you, too, had been living with the Jordans for fifteen years. Go to Full Review Chuck Klosterman Akron Beacon Journal 10/27/2023
2/4
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. Go to Full Review Akos Peterbencze Vulnerable Man (Medium) 07/21/2023
Willis and Pfeiffer deliver what’s required here, but the writing kills their efforts. Go to Full Review Tim Brayton Alternate Ending 09/17/2022
1.5/5
A remarkable prism with which to contemplate the even more remarkable fall of Reiner's directorial career. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cyd P @grillagardnr 9h I'm going to give rotten tomato 1 star for the flagrant bad review. This was our favorite dramatic romance film. Michelle Phfiffer is at the top of her game with her emotionally on target portrayal of a woman hovering on what looks like the ending of her marriage. Bruce Willis is his usual charming self, but with a believably soft side toward his wife, all within the context of modern male expectations. There are plenty of profound situations, sprinkled with moments of genuinely funny, but not forced, lines. On the whole it is a classic portrayal the wild ride of romance that many couples will recognize and find catharsis in. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Aug 29 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more 10/28/2024 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. See more Ron D 06/09/2024 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. See more Hayley M 12/02/2023 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! See more Steve D 09/23/2023 The story isn't much but the leads make the most of it. See more Read all reviews
The Story of Us

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Story of Us

The Story of Us (1999) The Story of Us (1999) The Story of Us (1999) View more photos

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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