The Story of Us **½ (1999, Bruce Willis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tim Matheson, Rob Reiner, Julie Hagerty, Rita Wilson, Colleen Rennison) – Classic Movie Review 10,058

Producer-director Rob Reiner’s 1999 drama The Story of Us stars Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer as Ben and Katie Jordan, whose troubled 15-year marriage is at risk.

The Story of Us is an exquisitely acted, surprisingly unslushy and well-told tale, with a nice bitter-sweet taste.

Even with the two stars in their prime, this one wasn’t too popular, maybe because it isn’t funny, witty, sweet or charming – but it is cutting and credible. Above all, Willis and Pfeiffer are first rate.

Also in the cast are Tim Matheson, Rob Reiner, Julie Hagerty, Rita Wilson, Colleen Rennison, Jake Sandvig, Casey Boersma, Dylan Boersma, Ken Lerner, Albert Hague, Jayne Meadows, Tom Poston, Betty White, Red Buttons, Daniel Henson, Adam Zweibel, Alan Zweibel and Tara Blanchard.

The Story of Us is directed by Rob Reiner, runs 95 minutes, is made by Castle Rock Entertainment, is released by Universal Pictures (1999) (US) and Warner Bros (UK), is written by Alan Zweibel and Jessie Nelson, is shot by Michael Chapman, is produced by Rob Reiner, Jessie Nelson and Alan Zweibel, and scored by and Mark Shaiman and Eric Clapton, with Production Design by Lilli Kilvert.

It is made at Culver Studios, 9336 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, California, and on location at Santa Clarita, California; Los Angeles, California; and Venice, Italy.

Willis was going through his own divorce from Demi Moore at the time.

It cost a hefty $50,000,000 and grossed $27,100,031 in the US, though the worldwide gross of $58,900,031 probably kept it in the black.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,058

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