Based on Meg Wollitzer's novel, this drama surrounding the heated marriage between a husband and wife, Joe and Joan Castleman. Joe is slated to receive a Nobel Prize in Stockholm for achievements in literary excellence. While in Stockholm with his wife, hard truths begin to spill out that have profound effects on the two individuals as a couple. The film is a masterpiece from start to finish, as it manages to excel in acting, writing, score, and cinematography.
Glenn Close's performance as Joan is most certainly Oscar-worthy; she manages to cover an entire and plentiful range of emotion and works miracles of suspense with her devotion to the character during the film's most intense moments of drama. Jonathan Price creates a powerful character study while playing Joe, and manages to ooze out a deep and systemic feeling of pervasive self-absorption and dishonesty in each frame. The film's pace is outstanding and keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end. The drama continues to simmer and simmer up until the climax, when it can boil over. The pacing allows for flashbacks of college-age Joan and Joe that manage to take us out of the present day without ever feeling disjointed or clunky. Another standout in the cast is Glenn Close's daughter, who plays Young Joan during the flashback scenes. The deeply sophisticated script sparks the interest of the viewer at the narrative's commencement and rewards your patience during the climax and ending. The exploration of key feminist themes surrounding how society may not equally celebrate the accomplishments of women provides the narrative with a strong and original sense of social consciousness as well. But what makes this script so truly unique is the sense in the writing that actions truly are capable of producing reciprocal consequences. While some films attempt to maintain a form of narrative gravity akin to that, they often feel contrived rather than genuine in their attempts to do so. In this film's story, every decision impacts and is impacted by other decisions. This is done through multiple dimensions, rather than feeling similar to something like a line of dominoes. It makes the film's drama all the more believable, thoughtful, and impactful.
Aesthetically, "The Wife" is also superb, which is not necessarily expected in a relatively low-key drama like this--but absolutely welcomed. The film's simple and often wide-shot cinematography of Stockholm and the surrounding areas are outstanding, as is the simple score which increases the senses of emotion and tension throughout the film's duration. All in all, the film is a nearly perfect drama headlined by an outstanding and awards-worthy performance from Close. It's my favorite film of the year so far. Very highly recommended. 10/10
Glenn Close's performance as Joan is most certainly Oscar-worthy; she manages to cover an entire and plentiful range of emotion and works miracles of suspense with her devotion to the character during the film's most intense moments of drama. Jonathan Price creates a powerful character study while playing Joe, and manages to ooze out a deep and systemic feeling of pervasive self-absorption and dishonesty in each frame. The film's pace is outstanding and keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end. The drama continues to simmer and simmer up until the climax, when it can boil over. The pacing allows for flashbacks of college-age Joan and Joe that manage to take us out of the present day without ever feeling disjointed or clunky. Another standout in the cast is Glenn Close's daughter, who plays Young Joan during the flashback scenes. The deeply sophisticated script sparks the interest of the viewer at the narrative's commencement and rewards your patience during the climax and ending. The exploration of key feminist themes surrounding how society may not equally celebrate the accomplishments of women provides the narrative with a strong and original sense of social consciousness as well. But what makes this script so truly unique is the sense in the writing that actions truly are capable of producing reciprocal consequences. While some films attempt to maintain a form of narrative gravity akin to that, they often feel contrived rather than genuine in their attempts to do so. In this film's story, every decision impacts and is impacted by other decisions. This is done through multiple dimensions, rather than feeling similar to something like a line of dominoes. It makes the film's drama all the more believable, thoughtful, and impactful.
Aesthetically, "The Wife" is also superb, which is not necessarily expected in a relatively low-key drama like this--but absolutely welcomed. The film's simple and often wide-shot cinematography of Stockholm and the surrounding areas are outstanding, as is the simple score which increases the senses of emotion and tension throughout the film's duration. All in all, the film is a nearly perfect drama headlined by an outstanding and awards-worthy performance from Close. It's my favorite film of the year so far. Very highly recommended. 10/10