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Life tests relationships in a couple for strength in a variety of ways. Five movie stories about men and women whose unions can hardly be called harmonious, but love helps them overcome serious obstacles – infidelity, routine, divorce – and still stay together.
1. “Road of Change”
Sam Mendes, 2008
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet.
About what? About the deep disappointment experienced by young spouses who have settled with two children in a small American town. They dream of a free, interesting and fulfilling life, but they are not able to break out of the web of patriarchal reality. This is a look at the routine of marital relations without illusions.
Why watch? Think about the reasons for your irritation and even anger that this deeply true story can cause. Ask yourself: what prevents me personally from being creatively realized and changing what does not suit me in any way?
“Stop pretending that this is the life we wanted. We had dreams. Why did we, like everyone else, decide to put an end to our lives?
2. “Swing”
Anton Sievers, 2008
Starring: Andrey Merzlikin, Maria Mironova and others.
About what? The fact that love is not necessarily a high feeling, that there is a lot of madness in it, that it is quite capable of giving rise to painful relationships. That it can act like a drug and is fraught with addiction. And that a loved one can be forgiven for everything.
Why watch? To learn, together with the hero of the picture, to accept loved ones as they are, and to realize how often we do not appreciate what we have. And also – no matter how belated the epiphany may seem – to ask for forgiveness and / or forgive.
“All wives are like wives, they are waiting, worried, but I am alone, always alone, alone, alone …”
3. “Girl from Denmark”
Tom Hooper, 2015
Starring: Eddie Redman, Alicia Vikander
About what? About the fate of the Danish artist Einar Wegener, who once felt like a woman, Lili, and decided to make a transgender transition, but even more about the relationship of husband and wife, stepping over the boundaries of sex, about love that is higher than sexuality. About the strength and courage of a woman who understands that she has lost a man forever, but does everything to help and support Lily.
Why watch? Make sure that love between people is able to overcome not only gender, but also the canons of its time.
“I love you. You helped me find my essence. I let you be yourself.”
4. “My king”
Mavenn Le Besco, 2015
Starring: Emmanuelle Bercot, Vincent Cassel.
About what? About seven years of family scandals, showdowns, resentment and unwillingness to forgive. A psychologically accurate drama of two loving people, mature and successful, who never manage to be completely together. They bring misfortune to each other. And miserable without each other.
Why watch? Find out in the frightening authenticity of the story the relationship of friends and acquaintances, and possibly your own. Think about the role gender stereotypes play in your family and what you are (un)willing to forgive your partner.
“Why should I be the way you want? You felt good with me, because I am who I am!
5. “Simple difficulties”
Nancy Myers, 2009
Starring: Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin.
About what? The fact that sometimes spouses need to get divorced in order to look at each other from the side, reevaluate their relationship and … fall in love again. And that mature age and the troubles of adult children are not yet a reason to be unhappy and abandon life changes.
Why watch? To begin with, to laugh (because, in fact, this is a comedy). And then think: has your partner stopped paying attention to you? Or, perhaps, you yourself are sure that you know this boring person by heart? Is it worth it to bring to a divorce in order to feel like lovers again?
“This is my most unexpected and crazy trick in my whole life!”