I always appreciate two things about a Rob Reiner movie: the casting and the dialogue. I know that the casting director is the brains behind the first and the writer is behind the second, but I think Reiner is usually a magnet for good talent. Which is not to say that he's bulletproof. The Story of Us shows that even great directing and casting can't save a film with a lukewarm script.

I enjoyed The Story of Us insofar as it was a somewhat engaging tale of a marriage in ruin. All of the usual cliches were thrown out. There was no infidelity, no abuse, no financial struggle. In the case of Ben (Bruce Willis, The Sixth Sense) and Katie (Michelle Pfeiffer, A Midsummer Night's Dream), they just ran out of love. After 15 years of marriage, they didn't want to be married any more.

But the movie failed when it tried to recapture the magic of Reiner's earlier film When Harry Met Sally.... Using interview-style narratives, multiple flashbacks, and diametrically opposing characters it feels reminiscent of the other work. This is not a coincidence. When Reiner set out to make The Story of Us, he likened it to "Harry and Sally 15 years later."

This alone, however, does not invalidate the movie. After all, he spared the world a sequel, and for that he deserves some praise. The Story of Us is smart and funny, it makes us laugh and feel sad. But the film never became real enough for me. I never cared enough about the characters to get into the story. As a result, I was aware my feelings were being manipulated.

While the scenes between Willis and Pfeiffer are often wonderful, supporting cast members like Paul Reiser, Rita Wilson, and Reiner himself are delegated to bit parts that rarely move the story forward. Dinner talk sounds more like stand-up comedy routines than real conversation. Likewise, Tim Matheson pops up like a cardboard villain. His appearance and disappearance are equally unexplained. If not for Willis and Pfeiffer, the movie wouldn't be at all convincing.

There's a real possibility that I didn't "get" The Story of Us because I'm a guy. I'll be the first to admit that I have to be in just the right mood for a "chick flick." One of the people I went with said she would have given this movie a ten. A ten? I think that's a little extreme, considering it isn't even in the same league as movies like American Beauty. Still, for what it's worth, that's one woman's opinion.

In my opinion, The Story of Us was an interesting little movie without any warm & fuzzy feelings. It won't be that memorable in the long run. I'll stick with the classics, or at least something written by Nora Ephron.

O.K. love is not the same for all, however, this movie did demonstrate how love is shared for some couples. This film comes off so true for some of my experiences with love. Is this healthy love??? Maybe or maybe not the point is that loved ones that share so many years together is not always the smoothest road. For many it takes strugle and even a little tourment but the point of the movie is to show that even love that does not come easily is still wirth it.. I loved the movie because of how real it was for me. I know it was not that way for all that is just how I felt about it

This is one of the most romantic, sweetest movies in my collection. Rob Reiner has done it again. I especially like the High/Low game...I play the game with my family now.

If you are dealing with the revelation that you have a gay family member (particularly a son or daughter), avoid this book. This book is not only unhelpful, but it is extraordinarily dangerous, unless of course you intend to drive a life-long wedge between you and your gay family member. Tomes of scientific research and 99.9% of gay people indicate that homosexuality is not something that can be changed. It is an inherent characteristic just as being left-handed is. One is better off reading a book about accepting your gay family member for who they are. Do yourself a favor and get over your Biblical belief that homosexuality is wrong nor an inborn characteristic,... The majority of problems gay people face are directly created by the continued intolerance shown toward them in our society. As for AIDS that is a problem with promiscuity among certain gay people as well as certain straight people. AIDS is not an inherent danger of homosexuality. If we, as a society, did more to encourage gay people to enter into life-long committed monogamous relationships though marriage, the incidence of AIDS in the gay populous would decrease significantly.

This book is a must read, the gay community has a history of censorship so if you can buy it please do it.

I grew up in gay culture and for years beleived the lie that no one could change. I am now 27 and am married and have two kids. I am happy to have read this publication. I bought the silly tales by gay activist, that just because homosexuality was in wildlife that meant it was okay. My freinds in the late 80's were dying of Hiv while gay activist refused to close the bath houses of San Francisco. I amso glad to be over that and am aware of this sinister movement. Gay people and Gay activist are two differnt groups. I loe to talk to gay people gay ativist are beyond talking to. I am happy and am not even a christian I am an athiest. So you can be ex gay and not be religous. Science is abounding with information that says sexuality can be changed by enviroment. The gay activist through means of intimidation not science got some of americas most cherished medical institutions to bend to there whinning. The American Psyciatric Association is about to get a huge law suit by former gays. I hope this will teach them to be honest.
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