Desertman84 Marie and Bruce is a black comedy that stars Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick.Tom Cairns directs the psychological comedy drama Marie and Bruce, adapted from the play by Wallace Shawn.The story was set over a period of 24 hours.It involves the troubled marriage of neurotic New Yorkers Marie and Bruce. What follows is a bleak psychological study of the breakdown of a modern relationship. Despite the interesting premise,the viewer might find this film not-so- interesting due to the fact that both Marie and Bruce are too unlikable to the point that one might hardly care about their characters.But nevertheless,I commend the performances of both Moore and Broderick.

Nick-269 When I get to Purgatory, they'll come across the fact that I saw this film, and I'll go right the front of the line to the pearly gates. More likely, construction of an escalator has just started, anticipating all the people who died before they finished watching the show.Spoiler alert: I loved the efforts everyone made to put this together. The Golden Retriever totally stole the show. Ms. Moore, Mr. Broderick, Jimmi Simpson (was that him?!) and regarding everything else, Wally Shawn is nothing but superb. But if Woody Allen re-wrote "The English Patient", casted it with the Monty Python crew and had it directed by David Lynch, it would be pretty much the same as this movie. Inconceivable.

peter_WMC If you are expecting the usual Hollywood pulp then forget this one. Much more in the style of Fellini or other abstract/surrealistic European directors. It is ostensibly a day in the life of a couple in New York. But is it? There are two primary characters who speak their innermost thoughts. Be warned, this is very graphic at times. This is overlaid with the banal chatter from the other people we encounter through the day. But is it actually one woman's thoughts and is the man in her imagination? Or is it the man's thoughts and fantasies? An intriguing movie that operates at a different level of consciousness than usual. Based on a stage play, which shows. It would have been even more gripping as a play. Acting and direction are all superb. Stay with it, it is worth it. It will haunt you for days after.

gradyharp Wallace Shawn wrote the very fine 'My Dinner with Andre', a talky but sensitive film that created a niche for conversational stories without plot. Sadly the qualities of that play to film result did not make it with his MARIE AND BRUCE. On paper it looks as though this strenuously boring film should be worth watching: Shawn's previous credentials, the direction by Tom Cairns, and the presence of Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick together with little feature appearances by the likes of Campbell Scott and Blossom Dearie should suggest investing time in viewing. Unfortunately the film's premise is so dull that even the technique of having characters speak exactly what is in their minds mixed with dialogue seemingly more appropriate for human ears and adding dreamlike sequences including some rather randy voyeurism - stage worthy though these techniques may be - just can't make this dreary story of a day in the dissolution of a VERY bad marriage work. The only character in the film with whom the viewer can empathize is a friendly dog. Pass on this sad flop. Grady Harp