Movies

Review: Indie survivor Ed Burns returns with the bland ‘Millers in Marriage’

BBG News

Thirty years have passed since Edward Burns first gained fame as a Sundance favorite with “The Brothers McMullen.” Although he may no longer be recognized as an indie singer-songwriter exploring middle-class values, family conflicts, and romantic complications, Burns remains dedicated to his East Coast style of understated, friendly, and slightly worn emotional turmoil. In this world, characters seldom show intense emotions that might make viewers uneasy.

Capturing discontent without appearing off-putting can be quite challenging, but Burns’ latest work, “Millers in Marriage,” showcases this predicament. This novel featuring three middle-aged siblings experiencing varying levels of relationship turmoil, exemplifies an attempt to soften the subject matter, resulting in a tone that is gentle yet indifferent. Instead of a richly flavored dish with both burnt and raw elements, it offers a bland, lukewarm porridge.

Even though burns might struggle to assemble a skilled cast, it’s clear that any project these days with a hint of relatable adult emotion is appealing. (The rustic autumnal settings of New Jersey and elegant interior designs also catch the eye.) Gretchen Mol portrays Eve, a quiet musician who’s been unhappily married for years to Scott, played by Patrick Wilson. Scott was once Eve’s band manager and, despite being an uncontrollable, dismissive drunk nowadays, he managed to keep his music career alive while hers stalled decades ago when they started a family together.

In a different setting, Julianna Margulies portrays Maggie, Eve’s sibling. This couple, both authors, share their home with Nick, her older husband played by Campbell Scott. Nick’s struggle with writer’s block and his gloomy, envious disposition are gradually diminishing the joy from Maggie’s achievements. On the other hand, their brother, Andy (with hair reminiscent of Kristofferson), a painter, has recently found himself in a new romantic relationship with Renee (Minnie Driver), a kind and considerate woman around the same age as him. This comes shortly after his 15-year-old wife, Tina (Morena Baccarin), ended their union.

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For a group of 50-year-olds recently setting sail on their own adventures, these emotions might resonate deeply, but the term ‘convenience’ best describes Burns’ portrayals. All temptations, whether beneficial or not, surface simultaneously. Eve receives an interview invitation from a music journalist friend (Benjamin Bratt), whose nostalgic chatter about past glories, talent, and second chances triggers longing for missed opportunities; Maggie contemplates renewing an affair with the estate caretaker (Brian d‘Arcy James) who appreciates her talents; and Andy finds herself in contact with Tina once more, who appears somewhat displeased that her former partner is now dating a former colleague.

Each story on its own is intricate and complex, but when presented together as a triptych, they appear shallow and overexplained. The main characters, Mol, Margulies, and Burns, are competent actors, but they don’t seem to have a deep connection or shared history, except for delivering expository dialogue. The real depth comes from their co-stars: Wilson portrays an authentic unpleasantness, Bratt brings vulnerability, Scott conveys a raw depression, and Driver displays intelligent caution. Among these, Driver’s performance is particularly engaging.

Initially, during the start of Burns’ professional journey, he was compared to Irish Catholic Woody Allen, which seemed somewhat unjustified as the films weren’t particularly humorous at the time. However, as Allen’s work became increasingly lackluster over three decades and Burns settled into a comfortable phase of mediocrity, this comparison seems more fitting. This is not to suggest that Burns’ predictable dialogue and exploratory storytelling won’t stimulate thoughts about your own relationships and personal growth. Instead, “Millers in Marriage” comes across as a study guide for discussion rather than a traditional movie experience.

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2025-02-22 02:01

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