When "The Story of Us" opened in 1999, the critical disdain was so overwhelming, that my fiancee and I opted not to see it. After all, the ads focussed on its romantic comedy aspects, directed by Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally), and starred Bruce Willis (who had just undergone a public divorce).

In retrospect, it's easy to assume why it got panned... this is NOT a romantic comedy, although there are comedic elements. Those expecting a Harry/Sally II would be clearly be disappointed. Those expecting some insight to Bruce Willis' marriage, too, would be disappointed. The film is neither of those things.

Of course, had the associations not existed, and the ad campaign refocussed its efforts, the film would be far better respected. That's why time will be very kind to this film.

Not everything works. Some scenes, like the language of the women, are too profanity-laced to sound like real women (making David Mamet's writing seem like Jane Austen by comparison). There's a terrible scene with Willis in a restaurant--unrealistic, unfunny.

Why then recommend the film? Because the agony, the depth of painful emotions, are real. Find a better acting job by Willis or Pfieffer. Find one!!! Can't be done.

Do you not see it? Do you not recognize that this film has one foot firmly planted in the light comedy world, and another foot firmly planted in the incredible realism (almost too realistic) angst of a failing marriage? Do you not see it? Do you not hear Reiner's concerns projected in the scene where Willis requests to Reiser his dream of writing a book on his grandmother--is this not Reiner saying that he WOULD go further with the serious story here, but the audience, too set by his own past achievements, will not let him? Is this not exactly what happened, when _Story of Us_ was released?

Don't be fooled. This is one serious movie. It should be required viewing for all engaged couples. It's a fantastic wake-up call. The circumstances that lead up to the arguments are simplified, but the emotions are raw. I repeat, time will be very kind to this movie.

When I first saw the trailer for "The Story of Us" I thought that this film was going to be different from anything I had ever seen. I had been disillusioned by all these movies coming out that are basically the same and it was sort of refreshing to see that finally someone was trying something different. So I set my plans to include this movie--until I heard the reviews. Everyone seemed to hate this film--even my movie-loving cousin admitted she walked out in the middle because she couldn't stand it. She told me that it's more of a "married person" film than a film for teens like us, so I canned my idea. BIG MISTAKE! I wish I could have seen this marvelous film on the big screen--there's something about actors that makes them seem so much better when their faces are as big as you are. Not that that's necessary. After finally seeing the film (my mom bought it and "forced" me to watch it) it just made me realize why almost every movie now is a cliche: some people cannot appreciate truly unique art, which is why I think this movie caught a bad rap.

I honestly cannot say I have any first-hand experience on the subject of divorce. My parents are still married and have never really had to consider that option. I am still at that stage where marriage is a distant pit-stop on the road to my future. So why did I love this movie? It told me the truth. All of my life I have seen love depicted as an all-powerful, all-conquering thing. And I have no doubt that it is--this movie told me that too. But it also showed me that maybe being in love isn't always a perfect, happy thing. You've got to take the good and the bad. Ben said it best when he told Katie "Nobody said it was going to be easy." Finally. Finally someone tells me it's NOT going to be easy. Now some people think that this film will make you not want to get married. I feel quite the opposite, because it shows you that if you truly love your partner you can get through the tough stuff.

I don't understand how people can say this movie had bad acting. Were they watching the same movie I saw? Both Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer were amazing in this movie. I swear that as I watched them I completely believed they were a married couple. And the passion that went into their arguments was not "overacting" as I have seen it dubbed. Have you seen married people fight? It's just like that. And the good thing is the movie didn't choose sides. It just showed the arguments and the feelings behind them and left no one looking the bad guy. And Michelle Pfeiffer's beautiful performance during that closing monologue was worth watching the entire movie, even if you didn't like it. And the cinematography was brilliant. Sometimes flashbacks in movies can be risky, especially if they happen often as in this film. But the movie just seemed to flow wonderfully, and Katie's flashback in the car on the way to pick up the kids from camp is one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen in a movie. It's amazing to see 15 years of marriage in 15 seconds and not feel shortchanged. That scene captured everything brilliantly. And Eric Clapton's music adds a lot to the movie. He is definitely talented, but it's also because the music seemed to capture the mood of the film. All in all, this was an amazing experience and is definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's funny, entertaining, moving, and very well-made. I'd recommend it to anyone. Even if you don't like it, you will take something from it.

Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer and a wonderful cast make this movie one of the best experiences of recent times. The story of a married couple losing each other and neither knows why; trying to hide it as the children grow through their early teens must touch the heart of most parents but this portrayal will reach right down inside you and tear you apart. I can feel the tears coming back even as I write this. This is a film of pure emotion so well written and beautifully directed with just the right balance of humour and tragedy and so insightful no one contemplating /in/out of a relationship should miss it.

This is a disturbing, bittersweet romantic comedy about two people who's 15 year marriage is unraveling. Actually, it is more of a romantic tragedy than a comedy. Ben and Katie Jordan (Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer) are two mismatched people in the marriage that never should have been. He is spontaneous, romantic and impulsive, with low frustration tolerance and an explosive hair trigger temper. She is pragmatic, a compulsive perfectionist with unrealistic expectations, and a high need for control. She takes everything personally and never forgives or forgets a slight. They both blame each other for their disappointments. The pattern is clear. He doesn't meet her standards so she snipes, he explodes and then she accuses him of not listening. She then throws up every mistake he's ever made and every fault he's ever had. This goes on ad nauseam as their romantic obsession with one another continues to get the best of any sense they might have to call it quits. Like moths to a flame, they keep returning for another scorching.

This film is thought provoking in that it portrays marital difficulties that are all too familiar in our society. The problem is that it tries to give every problem known to man (with the exception of wife beating) to this couple and relies on the single strand of a long forgotten romance to be the only chance of keeping them together.

In watching the behind the scenes featurette on this film, Rob Reiner and writers Alan Zweibel and Jessie Nelson discuss how the story evolved. As it turns out, it was a montage of all their own marital problems. So the film was, in essence cathartic dumping ground for the writers and director.

As filmmaking, it was terrific. Rob Reiner weaves the story together expertly, creating a stark contrast between the joy of the romance and the reality of the relationship. The film was punctuated by numerous funny and sweet moments that make the viewer smile and glow with delight.

Michelle Pfeiffer gives a splendid performance of a very emotionally complex and neurotic character. It took a lot of courage for her to take this part because she was playing the least likeable character in the film, something of a departure for her. Bruce Willis was as good as one could have expected considering the fact that nobody was blowing anything up. Actually, he was quite good as the impulsive, childlike romantic, but when it came to the arguments and the serious displays of resentment, he played the scenes too harshly, almost commando style.

Reiner does good camera work and puts together some good rapid fire scenes that have impact and give great insight into the relationship. He also took the film on location in Venice to add a little romantic interlude, and somehow got Eric Clapton to write a great theme song.

The problem is the story. Reiner stated in the featurette that he intended this to be a realistic bittersweet look at the real problems relationships face. But he tried to do too much and made this film a grossly exaggerated caricature of a relationship in crisis. It is really "The War of The Roses" lite only it takes itself too seriously. No one I know who saw this could believe that this couple could possibly have stayed married for 15 weeks, no less 15 years.

The result is a noxious marathon of petty arguments that get under the viewers' skin after a while. It is about as entertaining as watching your best friends have a niggling argument in a public restaurant. The whole thing leaves you very uncomfortable and you don't go home feeling like you've had a nice evening.

So, while it succeeds as filmmaking, it fails as a film. I gave this film a 6/10. There were so many good elements to it that I can't see trashing it. But the story is one that requires a level of emotional endurance that few viewers will be willing or able to invest to get any enjoyment out of it.

I was miffed the first time I saw this film. Miffed that I had allowed the opinions of others to steer me away from it until it came out on DVD. What a lovely bitter sweet/sweetly bitter film. After seeing The Story Of Us and talking to others about it, I came to the pejorative conclusion that the folk I spoke to just didn't get the film because they simply had not been there. I realized that no one I talked to at first had shared his or her lives with anyone for any more than a few years. This film deals with the daily wear and tear of ANY truly long-term relationship. It is an accurate, albeit theatrical, portrayal of the way high ups and devastating downs that can come to two people who love each other … hate each other … need each other … want each other desperately … hate each other some more and finally love each other again. I concluded that those who had never been to the end (and I mean the it's over and I am outta here end) of a relationship and still been able to pull away form the precipice and put things back together again, just didn't have a clue. So there my partner and I were after 16 years together truly touched by all that we saw, nodded our heads to, laughed at and balled our eyes out over and, in the end, really uplifted by in this gem of a film. Michelle Pfeiffer's final monologue alone would have been worth the price of a movie ticket just to watch – All Actors should be made to watch her has she creates brilliant comedy by bursting into tears. It is a true lesson in comic artistry while still touching the heartstrings. I HATE THE KIRBYS TOO!!!!

The Story Of Us is a wonderful movie in its own subtle way. I won't go into specifics about the plot, as many others before me have already done that. All I will say is that it's probably not for the younger crowd. In all honesty, if I had seen this film in my early twenties (and I'm now almost 40), I wouldn't have appreciated its subtlety on long term relationships. It's aimed at those of us who have been married, or in a long term relationship. Although I don't have children, the rest of this movie had many "oh yeah" moments for me. The Story of Us, is a complex, yet ultimately simple, explanation of long term relationships...all those 'little' things about the other person that drive you insane about them, but that if you're both willing to work on, make the relationship all that much richer for it. Wonderfully thought provoking. If you have ever been in a long term adult relationship, I'd be hard pressed to see how you COULDN'T relate, at the very least, on some small level to this film.

Bruce and Michelle play the part of almost everyone who has been married. The tug and pull of everyday life separates them from each other, but mostly from their true feelings about each other.

The truth is, based on the Hollywood mythical marriage created for oh so many years now, everyones marriage is terrible. What our couple are able to sort out at the end is that no one is perfect and by looking at yourself through your partners eyes can be a revealing and frightening thing. If you can face it, there is a future in your relationship. If you can not, you may have to move on.

This movie will be mostly lost on the younger crowd, simply because they have not experienced the problems the forty something and above audience have been through. However, it is a film they may go back and see once they have been there and down that. When I think about it, Rob Reiner (aka Meathead) has been expressing the thoughts and concerns of our generation for a number of years now. He is very good at it.

This movie holds so much truth; it cannot possibly be watched by anyone, man or woman who are or who have been in a serious relationship without any such crying at some point during it, or at least being strongly enough emotionally affected to do so. I cried. I cried before the opening credits song was more than a few lines in. It spoke to me like few movies have. It is the first movie about the subject of love that I've watched since I became this involved, physically and emotionally with my wife-to-be. That alone makes the movie have an impact on me, good or not. That it dealt with a subject that has so recently become so important to me. A successful marriage. But while I was this into the film, while it had this impact on me... I can't claim that it was great. The performances are. The editing is. The script is. Most of the parts are. But somehow, the sum, it just doesn't add up to being that... great. It might be that the ending feels flat. It might be that the movie offers no answers, only observations. The movie goes back and forth between present day chaos/unhappiness and fond memories... these were particularly difficult to watch without crying. This works to the film's advantage and creates a sense of more than a non-linear time-line; a life-time, years upon years of memories returning to this old married couple. The story of two people who love each other... they do. They've just tired of each other, of the differences, of the arguing. Comes very close to being great, but it just doesn't quite make it, I'm afraid. Worth watching for any fans of the genre, and has plenty of insights to offer. I recommend this to anyone who is or has been in a serious relationship. 6/10

Okay, let's set the stage: I hate Lifetime movies for their poor acting, cheesy scripts, lack of realism, and ridiculous soap-opera style plots and "emotions." (And I just ain't into all that Kleenex.) Can't stand mush and not much on tearjerkers. But I truly can't relate with those saying this was an awful movie. I laughed my tail off! Hilarious! So real (well, for the most part); you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hold your breath, you'll just want more. The "moments" were very real and well-done and I agree that Willis and Pfeiffer rendered stellar performances. It WAS a romantic comedy. (Did YOU see it?!) Such a well-written script and excellently directed. Virtually no complaints from start to finish. (Although, admittedly, I watched an "edited" version and missed all the language.)

Anyone who's been married any length of time (and especially for a number of years) will appreciate the reality and depth of emotion and meaning in this poignant movie. Sense of humor required.

Totally worth seeing again and again!

This is a pretty film, often poignant, and a bit too close to the bone at times for my liking. Still, it carries you along quite nicely - making it's point that time grinds marriages down more often than affairs - and then sort of stops.

The leads were great: Willis was really good, Pfeiffer was fantastic (hey, i'm a fan, okay). But, the characters were tough to take. The self-pity was intercut with nice bits of comedy, but it felt like Reiner was cutting from a wake to a pratt-fall on occasions.

The final scenes, with Pfeiffer's frightening display of multi-emotional skill (at once excellent and utterly ghastly), betrayed the characters. Normality was implausibly resumed, and Pfeiffer came across as at fault for taking the whole film to get real, and Willis looked much relieved that she'd taken the sanity pill and he could quit trying to change himself.

And the end was a surprise. I thought there was going to be more: a deeper level of story. But it ended without a sense of closure.

It has been said that acting is being truthful under false circumstances; this movie is one of the most truthful I've seen, ever. In a film world where good acting has taken a backseat to realism, this movie sacrifices neither. I think the complaints primarily come from people who do not truly understand the art and craft of acting, and the script and performances would probably be appreciated more by the theatre community than those who only experience performances by going to the movies. And if you thought the script was unrealistic, well, you should probably stick with documentaries. The only deviation from a real life couple's fight in the script is that the scenes are more entertaining.

Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer are Ben and Katie Jordan in `The Story of Us', Rob Reiner's latest directorial effort. The Jordans have been married for 15 years and have reached a turning point in their relationship. Authors Alan Zweibel and Jesse Nelson explore the past and present of the couple in a mosaic of vignettes throughout the years they have been together. There are scenes of joy, laughter, anger and frustration. The film basically takes place in the present as the teenage son and daughter leave for summer camp. The couple decides to separate during the summer vacation to re-evaluate their situation and spare the children any suffering. The scenes jump back and forth revealing the deterioration and lack of any real communication in their day to day life. Zweibel explained in an interview that the screenplay was somewhat autobiographical, but when he realized the script was somewhat one-sided (male) he joined with Jesse Nelson to rewrite the script and deliver a more realistic and even-handed reflection of the marriage. They are fairly successful. However, Willis' Ben seems to be the more sympathetic of the two. In one scene Ben has just begun dinner out with his two best friends,a married couple played warmly and humorously by Rob Reiner and Rita Wilson. In a loud eruption of anger and resentment he voices his emotions disrupting the quiet tone of the restaurant. He leaves the table and paces outside on the street. In this tenderly revealing scene Willis, without a word, shows the life-shattering trauma he is going through. Willis has developed into a fine and subtly sensitive actor. Just when the audience thinks all of its sympathies are on Ben's side, Katie has a 3-minute monologue in which she spews out her reactions to all that has happened. Pfeiffer's performance here is also a tour de force. If only what has come before had the power of these two sequences. Eric Clapton's music effectively underscores the highs and lows, his song quietly framing the beginning and ending of the film. Married folks will definitely identify with this couple. One could hear the sounds of recognition from the audience at the screening I attended. It remains to be seen if this story will attract and entertain a wide range of moviegoers.

Wow, that is the one word that would best sum up what the movie is all about. It is so close to reality that it is scary, I am only 16 so I haven't gone through this yet, however my parents have, and all I can say is that the movie was done so well I could relate to so many things in the movie.

Bruce and Michelle play the characters so well that it look like they are going through it as well.

I would say that it is worth watching wether you know the situation or just want to watch the movie. It is touchy and funny at the same time.

I wrote at the beginning that my parents went through the same things and I believe that the movie helped them to get through it and they are now doing a lot better and don't fight as often.

I had the pleasure of viewing the Story of Us when it first came out and to this day it still remains to be one of my favorite movies of all time. Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer do a fantastic job of portraying a real life couple with real life problems. I believe that the reason this movie rates so well is that we all actually have these day to day kind of problems in a long term relationship and even though we have tough times and hardships, it doesn't mean that we are failures or that it isn't worth it to give the realtionship another try. I would reccomend this movie to anyone and everyone. 5 star rating. Excellent movie, Excellent choice of actors.

I can't lie. I had never even heard of the movie before me and my wife borrowed the movie from her aunt, because we had just moved and our cable wasn't on yet. Anyway, it's been a long time since I've last seen the movie but it's had a lasting effect(positive) on my marriage. We have been trying to get our hands on an another copy of the movie, because our last copy got messed up. But as we watched the movie, we saw ourselves in the movie. We haven't been married for 15 years but we've been through some of the things that they've been through. We were amazed at how they were able to keep everything together even at separating for that short time. It even opened my eyes to a few things that I need to do, and yes this is coming from a husband. But whoever says that this movie stinks or was lackluster needs to have their head examined or they haven't experienced those types of situations in their marriages. This is the type of movie that can be deeply appreciated. I know it's a movie, but it is much more than that if you've experienced even just a little of the trouble that they had in it.

This movie hit me where it hurt and made a huge impression. Anyone who's experienced similar relationship issues would agree. As much as the characters loved each other, they also felt terribly angry and resentful. They wanted their marriage to work, but at the same time just feel too hopeless about it to even want to try. Having been there myself, I thought the characters seemed very realistic. I sometimes felt like she was me. Especially the scene where the parents were in bed with them. I can think of times when my own mother's words were spinning around in my head while I tried to talk with my spouse. The moral of their story, I think, is never stop trying. If there's even a ounce of love left, every bit of work you put into it, is worth it. I've been lucky enough to have the happy ending too. And so, it really did seem to be, The Story of Us!

I have seen this movie for the second time and I liked it even more now. It is about a married couple with two kids, just at the edge of divorce. All the little jokes and sweet things had became the source of fights and most discussions are just this: fights. The tension between Ben (Bruce Willis) and Katie (Michelle Pfeiffer) is so alive, I could shout, cry or erupt with them. They made such an authentic representation of the relationship between this man and wife - although they love each other, living together has its own problems to solve every day. And love just helps you to make the first step, to open towards the other person, and try to do something about it. What is more, this openness is required from both parties, at the same time. In the film we see such a nice wave how this opening-closing happens, how you misunderstand the words of the other and suddenly close. As Rachel said in the movie "only way a relationship works is if people grow and change together". I like real life stories and to work on my relationships and enjoyed so much this movie.

I love Willis as the Super Hero roles and was surprised to see such a credible performance in a much heavier role here. Pfeiffer was really as good as in her other Drama movies (The Age of Innocence, I am Sam).

A really nice peace in my Drama collection, 8/10.

What I enjoyed about this movie, was the fact that it was fresh in the sense that this sort of story has never been portrayed like this (or I've just not seen it), for mostly films about a marriage crisis are destined to become real dramatic snooze – feasts. This one did not however and I thought the film was quite amusing and entertaining. It was more of a comedy than anything else and the only thing I missed here, was being really touched by the performances as in almost crying myself like ONCE (although Michelle Pfeiffer almost had me there in the end). That's the only critique I have regarding this, well acted, well scripted, well directed and last but not even near to least well edited movie.

8 out of 10

From the director of "A few good men" comes a beautiful story about a married couple looking back on their 15 years of marriage, only to realize that they might no longer love each other.

"The story of us" is a great film in every way it wants to be. The script is simply brilliant. It's a delightful, realistic, touching and insightful story (of us). It represents so many typical things of life we're all familiar with that it becomes an enjoyable -yet true to life- love story.

Director Rob Reiner did a great job in making this film. The most surprising thing about his directing is the way in which he manages to do something which is actually against the rules of film making. At certain moments, he allows his main characters to watch STRAIGHT into the camera as they look back upon their lives and 15 years of marriage. This technique creates a different, almost interactive impression which is normally only used on television shows, interviews and commercials. In doing so, the director creates a virtual connection between the actors on screen and the people watching the film.

Talking about characters: who would Rob Reiner want for the married couple? This is another great thing about "The Story of us". The actors are very well chosen. Bruce Willis does a great job and hereby proves that he's really grown as an actor throughout the years. I don't think he could have done the same great performance 10 years ago when he was still dodging bullets in "Die hard". But even better is the acting of Michelle Pfeiffer. Now, I know it's hard to stay objective about her acting once you've seen her, but I think (apart from that everlasting beauty) this performance of hers is quite outstanding. And if you disagree with me on that, take a look at her famous monologue at the end of the film. This should prove of what a great actress Michelle Pfeiffer truly is!

Of course, practice makes perfect! And to make sure that both actors would appear natural on screen, Bruce Willis started flirting with Michelle Pfeiffer everytime he saw her on the film set. After all, their characters were married to each other for 15 years and their job was to give that exact same impression. Although the flirting with Hollywood's most beautiful actress must have been a true joy for Bruce Willis; it also improved the acting of both actors.

Last but not least: there's Erik Clapton with his many wonderful songs which you can hear throughout the entire film.

All things considered "The story of us" is one of the best romantic comedies I've ever seen

To be honest, I didn't even remember when this movie came out. I was single then so I may have deemed it a chick flick and moved on. When I finally did see it I had been married for a short time but been with my wife for a while. There was very, very little that we could not identify with. I almost felt like I was watching my life so the title is perfect. Bruce and Michelle are amazing in their roles and I challenge anyone to say there was not one part where they were not emotionally moved by their performances. While there were some funny moments(the scenes in Venice are good, and Michelle's rant at the end is classic) this is really a dramatic movie and I really feel the main characters played more to the dramatic aspects of the script. Honestly, I really don't think that it matters how long you've been married, or with someone, you really have to see this movie.

One of the reasons I love this so much is its realism--as far as emotions go, this is right on target. Michelle Pfieffer is amazing as Katie. This is definately one of the most underrated romances of the past several years, and I believe it deserves a lot more credit than it is given.

The good: Michelle Pfeiffer and Bruce Willis do a good job at portraying a couple whose marriage has been falling apart over the last 15 years. Despite their excessive screaming and yelling, you somehow still like them. Star quality, I presume.

The bad: This is a Lifetime TV movie-of-the-week, albeit with better actors. If you enjoy reliving unpleasant marriage memories with lame humor, then this film is for you. The film was mismarketed as a comedy. The few "funny" moments in this film were in the movie trailer. If you want laughs in a crumbling-marriage movie, please watch the hilarious "The Ref."

The ugly: The (un)"funny" friends--Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, and the abominable Paul Reiser. It's more the rotten lines written for them, rather than their acting, that bothered me. Their jokes are of the bad TV-sitcom variety, which does not fit in with the serious nature of the film. It's jarring and annoying. Poor Rita Wilson deserves better--normally she's really funny!

I don't particularly like Bruce or Michelle, but picked this up on a whim at the library. It was really, really good! It speaks volumes about love, marriage, committment, and what it means to share your life with someone...forever, or not. Highly recommend it!

Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfieffer are brilliant as the leads of this romantic comedy about a married couple who think after 15 years of marriage, that maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

As we take a look at the flashbacks of their good and bad times, you can't help but hope that these two will stay together, but you won't find out until the end of the film.

It's witty without being corny and sad without being Hollywood soap-opera-ish sappy - and with a great supporting cast behind them, Pfieffer and Willis can do no wrong... this movie is great.

So if it's a funny romantic comedy you're after, go and rent the sadly under-appreciated "Story Of Us".

THE STORY OF US (1999) **1/2

Starring: Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, and Paul Reiser Director: Rob Reiner Running Time: 95 minutes Rated R (for language, thematic elements, and sex-related material)

By Blake French:

Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer make the perfect romantic couple; they're cute, cuddly and warm. Their smiles and joyful expressions make one wonder why no other casting director has come up with the idea of having the two of them star in a romantic comedy before. Unfortunately, Rob Reiner's "The Story of Us," isn't about marriage, love at first sight, or happy times, but about an unhappy couple's divorce procedures and how two people can fall out of love in a matter of time.

How depressing, indeed. The film consists of dozens of unorganized flashbacks explaining to us the up's and many down's of a married life in America, as well as the two past love birds, Ben and Katie Jordan's, attempts to keep their marital problems from their two young children.

The individual scenes featuring Ben and Katie either bonding or fighting are at times quite powerful and involving, as well as some emotionally on target moments along with some funny humor present--but all the good sequences are brief and chopped-up. The story is so uneven it's very hard to become intrigued with anything going on. There is a nice sequence that takes place in Italy where Ben and Katie try to escape from their problems and jump start their love--what they don't realize is that their good old selves will be waiting on the front porch when they return home. The problem with the film's singular scenes being effective is that they do not all fit together like they should, not to mention the heartache to develop and introduce the main characters through the flashbacks. That is not an easy thing to do, and "The Story of Us" is not a smart enough movie to figure out how to do those things properly.

The characters are acutely quite the treat. They are wonderfully played by top notch actors, some not commonly known for such roles as these, including Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson, and even "Mad About You's" Paul Reiser. There's much charming romantic chemistry between Willis and Pfeiffer, but like I said, all the characters do is argue and swear at the other. The kids aren't detailed enough to care about, thus we don't care about the turning point in the middle of the film. Pfeiffer's performance at the very end of the movie, where it should be serious and intense, comes off as whiny, sissified, and annoying. I can't figure out how she screwed this one up. She's a good actress, right?

The structure in "The Story of Us," is anything but ordinary. Author Thomas Pope once said that there is such a justification in the extremely rare case of a movie being about life: the structure called life. There are certain incidences here that have a first act, second act, then conclusion, but no outright formula. But in this rare exception, the structure's material is fitting. Life has no structure to it, and for this movie to contain such realism, it must also not. This makes the story believable, engaging, and realistic; this reminds me of what many couples go through in present day in America.

"The Story of Us," contains such a flawed motive it's hard to imagine how this project could have worked. While I won't reveal the film's ending, I will say that the filmmakers throw their preparation for a depressing finale out the window and give us a conventional, but satisfying, conclusion. Perhaps if the writers would have used the flashbacks in sequence order, or taken a completely different view at the events, maybe through the eyes of the kids, possibly then the movie would have been a success. It is hard to tell, really. I personally think this film was doomed before it got the green light. It isn't the actors' faults, nor necessarily the director, Rob Reiner. It's just everything combined in a negative way.

There is a scene in "The Story of Us" where the meaning of the message in this movie flashes before our eyes. It is a sequence present in the film's trailers, and is made up of Katie's brief, intercut flashbacks reflecting back on all the good and bad times of the their 15 year marriage. The scene works in every way possible. And in some ways, it makes a long story short for us, summing up the entire film's existence. I don't know why this scene is so effective, but I do know one thing: if the entire movie was as focused and meaningful as that, we may have had something here.

Brought to you by Universal Pictures.