Millers in Marriage: A Star-Studded Drama That Misses the Mark

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About three decades back, Edward Burns clinched the prestigious Grand Jury prize for his low-budget independent movie, “The Brothers McMullen” at Sundance. Since then, this appealing actor-director has graced Steven Spielberg’s epic “Saving Private Ryan“, made appearances on popular shows like HBO’s “Entourage” (where they affectionately nicknamed him “Eddie”), and consistently worked on his own indie projects. His latest creation is titled “Millers in Marriage“. With its storyline set in New York, this new project may remind you of the critically acclaimed work that launched Burns’ career three decades ago. If you haven’t seen “The Brothers McMullen“, that’s perfectly fine – it might even help you appreciate Burns’ more recent works better.

In this fresh drama film released this week, Burns has gathered an ensemble featuring some well-known and previously absent actors from both big and small screens. While stars like Benjamin Bratt and Gretchen Mol bring their signature charisma to the table, enhancing the movie, others seem slightly misplaced – it’s as if the producers are banking on celebrity appeal overacting ability in these instances. However, Burns provides valuable insights for couples dealing with relationship issues. Additionally, Morena Baccarin, always a delight, shines as a mysterious female character in the film (known for her role in Deadpool).

A Who’s-Who of Seasoned Delights

Three middle-aged siblings, all of them potentially fond of eating pumpkins. Let’s consider one Miller sibling: Andy (Burns), who has recently divorced and is now seeing the lively and attractive Renée (Minnie Driver). However, Andy’s ex-wife Tina (Baccarin) still lingers in the picture, showing up at late nights, drunk, to Andy’s house (which used to be their shared home), and making repeated phone calls to him under the guise of apologizing (possibly with additional intentions). Wondering how Renée feels about Tina’s persistent involvement in Andy’s life? A good guess would be she isn’t thrilled.

Apart from Andy, there’s Andy’s sister Maggie (Emmy-winning actress Julianna Margulies from The Good Wife), a successful author residing secluded outside New York City with her writer husband Nick (Campbell Scott). Nick appears perpetually disheartened by his career’s slow progress compared to his wife’s success. Since their move away from the bustling city, Maggie has managed to maintain contact with local charmer Dennis (Brian d’Arcy James), who once showed her around town and has since grown closer – to a level that their now-intimate relationship is hidden from Nick, her actual partner. Oh dear…

Gretchen Mol Is Charming & Patrick Wilson Is Despicable

In summary, Eve, Andy and Maggie’s sister (played by Gretchen Mol), stands out among the Miller trio, even with Burns’ captivating charm at home. A gifted vocalist and guitarist, Eve put her thriving California career on hold to raise a family in various parts of the U.S. with Scott, a music manager nearing retirement (portrayed by Patrick Wilson, delivering an unlikable performance in this role). The narrative begins with Eve searching for Scott’s whereabouts after he fails to return from an out-of-town gig, and her concerns are confirmed when, upon his eventual return home, he immediately resorts to drinking. This sets the stage for a troubled relationship dynamic that unfolds throughout the film.

Fortunately, at this time, there emerges a positive development in Eve’s life – her old flame, Johnny (the charming Benjamin Bratt), a music critic who had previously criticized Scott’s band. He now seeks an interview with Scott and when the latter becomes more and more intoxicated and resistant, Johnny instead forms a friendship with Eve. This friendship soon intensifies into something more romantic, causing Eve to grapple with a complex midlife crisis…

East Coast Blues Woven Through Time

In certain aspects, “Millers in Marriage” seems to be an adult, spiritual successor to Burns’ original work, “The Brothers McMullen”, as they share a similar foundation: both focus on three grown siblings navigating the intricacies of serious romantic relationships. Unlike Burns’ initial indie film, which captivated audiences with its unending New England charm that provoked hearty laughter, “Millers in Marriage” delves deeper into the complexities of long-term commitments.

In a shift towards a more somber tone, the independent filmmaker has chosen to portray his New York-based production in a melancholic manner. Reminiscent of the LCD Soundsystem song “New York, I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down,” this melancholy is reflected in the end credits of the series Millers in Marriage. It comes as no surprise that one of the Millers yearns for their past life on the West Coast as the story unfolds.

Burns’ exceptional skill as a director is undoubtedly evident in Millers in Marriage, despite its challenges. He masterfully employs flashbacks to enrich the background stories of the main characters, creating a mini-ensemble that feels like a Kenneth Lonergan production with quick, subtle time jumps that can easily be missed.

Unresolved Threads in an Otherwise Fine Indie

In some instances, certain plot points seem unexpected or mishandled in the story. For example, Scott, Eve’s husband who appears debauched, has an unresolved drunken public incident that isn’t revisited later on. Additionally, the character of Johnny, who previously showed wisdom and smoothness, experiences moments that contradict his established arc, creating inconsistencies in his development.

Additionally, Margulies, who is typically captivating, appears somewhat stiff in her somber portrayal of Maggie in The Morning Show. While we’re accustomed to seeing this esteemed actress deliver sharp performances, some viewers might be disappointed by her relatively subdued screen presence. However, if you’re a fan of Burns, this new independent film from Republic Pictures is definitely worth checking out, and we can only hope that future projects will improve upon it. Millers in Marriage, distributed by Republic Pictures, is set to hit theaters and digital platforms on Friday. You can pre-order it on YouTube via the link provided below:

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2025-02-19 15:02