La buena esposa

"The Wife" (2017 release; 100 min.) brings the story of an elder couple, Joe and Joan. As the movie opens, it is "Connecticut 1992", and the couple is asleep, only to be woken up by an early morning phone call. It is the Nobel Academy, informing Joe that he has won the Nobel Price for Literature. Joe and Joan are overjoyed, and celebrate. Before we know it, they and grown-up son David, a wanna-be writer himself, are off to Stockholm for the award ceremony. On the plane, Joe and Joan are approached by Nathaniel, who hopes to become Joe's official biographer. Upon arriving in Stockholm, Joan thinks back how they met at Smith College in 1958... At the point we're less than 15 min. into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: the movie is directed by Swedish director Bjoen Runge, pretty much an unknown talent on this side of the ocean. Here he brings the book of the same name by Meg Wolitzer to the big screen. I have not read the book and hence cannot comment how faithful the film remains to the book. This is a very plot-heavy movie, so I am not going to say anything more about that. I will say that the movie succeeds because of its two lead performances. Glenn Close is outstanding as Joan, and frankly so is Jonathan Pryce as Joe. Christian Slater seems like he is having a ball in the supporting role of Nathaniel, the biographer-wannabe. Make sure to keep an eye out for a short (less than 5 min. of screen time) and an all-too-rare appearance by Elizabeth McGovern, who plays a veteran female writer visiting Smith College in the late 50s. The photography is nice, in particular the great overhead shots of Stockholm.

"The Wife" premiered at last year's Toronto Film Festival, to positive buzz. The movie finally reached my art-house theater here in Cincinnati. No idea why it's taken over a year, but better late than never. The early Sunday evening screening where I saw this at was attended nicely (about 20 people). If you are interested in an intense character study with some nice plot twists along the way, of are simply a fan of Glenn Close or any other the other performers, I'd readily suggest you check out "The Wife", be it in the theater (if you still can), on VOD or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Glenn Close makes this movie to what it is: a superb drama. I really think this movie could have been just avarage, without her acting. Her powerful performance lifts this in a way that draws you into the action, and that you really remember the film afterwards too. I have always liked her, but I have never really understood how truly good she is, before I saw this. See it, if you want to see what good acting is all about, and you won't regret it.

Methodically paced but an intense and complicated drama, where Glenn Close is just mesmerizing on screen. As other reviewers have noted, it's highly disappointing she did not win the Best Actress Oscar.

Jonathan Pryce and Christian Slater are also excellent in their roles, and Annie Starke (Close's real life daughter) stood out in her supporting role as the young Close character. Most able direction by Swedish director Bjorn L. Runge and superb writing of the screenplay by Jane Anderson, adapted from the novel of Meg Wolitzer.

Really nice movie with great performances. I don't understand why or how Glenn didn't win this time smh.

It's getting more and more difficult these days to find stories as well written, directed and acted as "The Wife." This gem of a film is a profound character exploration that managed to make me forget about script sctructure completely (which other screenwriters know is very hard to do when you live and breathe screenplays), and simply enjoy the intense psychological ride. There are a couple soft spots (narrative wise) that prevented me from going all 10-stars on this film, but it got as close as there is. And OH MY GOD, what amazing actors are Glenn Close and Anthony Pryce. There's a scene right near the end of the film in which their vulnerability is almost palpable. They went all-in with these characters, and it payed off. Standing ovation for those two.

Quick suggestion: go watch this film without seeing the trailer. It will be a better experience if you know nothing about the plot. I watched the trailer beforehand and it ruined an important plot twist for me.