4/5
Love and Marriage.
5 Episodes. Starring: Jessica Chastain & Oscar Isaac. Director: Hagai Levi.
A most violent marriage this is not. But emotionally? More than maybe. Absolute scenes. What more could you expect from in my mind the best actor and actress of our generation working today? Fellow Julliard grads and close friends Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac. Reuniting after 2015's 'A Most Violent Year' cinematically convinced us that Chastain along with the likes of Cate Blanchett really was going for Meryl Streep's throne, along with an inspired Isaac showing us he was the closest thing to a De Niro and Pacino godson these days. All whilst both showing us who they really were in their own individual A-list acting talent rights and stakes in a 'Violent' movie about the mob putting the squeeze on an oil tycoon who wanted to keep his taps tight and his family life even firmer. One that barely even had to pull a trigger or nary throw a fist to show us that it was a complete classic. As convincing and compelling as their reunion in this new compulsive HBO drama from 'The Affair' and 'In Treatment' producer and director Hagai Levi. Reimagining the influential Ingmar Bergman's brilliant Swedish miniseries 'Scenes From A Marriage'. How about that greyscale tribute in bed that the furnitute fittings of IKEA would be proud of? Sure Hollywood remaking another Euro gem from the cold and cinematography calculating regions of this wonderful world and its powerful and prolific programming is like the pitch of making Leonardo DiCaprio 'Druk' like Mads Mikkelsen. Sometimes we just don't need it. With that being said though, these original scenes came out in the seventies so it's high-time for a tribute. Even if this review is later than the bad spouse that said they will be home in ten minutes...they're in the car. Let's just blame how busy life has been recently. And if you think this recap has arrived to the party after time, just wait until we get out tentacles into Netflix's South Korean smash 'Squid Game'.
Static on your sets comes into play like an in awe "ahhh" from the Gods of television as the HBO logo fades in and establishes itself like this was 'The Wire' or 'Game Of Thrones' for your epic, more than regular scheduled programming serieses. Although this writer always associates it with the 'Frolic' of Luciano Michelini's classic opening to Larry David's better than 'Seinfeld' (yeah I said it. I love where it all started, but you try watching an episode to start the day and having nightmares of a screaming Seinfeld killing you with that bloody bass guitar) 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' (now here's a new series this fall that has still got it and has you like walking into a glass door. Oh, and whilst we're here, for the record, SHE PLONKED). And there are plenty of definitive dramatic moments you cold ruin with that trumpet reprise to close the show like whoever hilariously did that to the "what's in the box" end of Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman's 'Se7en'. Still, each episode of these 'Scenes' is in matrimony with something much more creative and crafty to set us off. Starting each 'Marriage' with a behind the scenes look of this set, as forget breaking the fourth wall, there literally isn't one in this open house. There's Jessica Chastain goin over lines in the bathroom. Is this part of the show? Oh wait, someone's applying her make-up. I know we all have close friends, but this is a bathroom. The most private of places. Even in our own homes. Oh and yep, there it is. The boom mic. This isn't technically part of the show. Like Oscar Isaac walking around stage hands all around his living room. Wearing a plastic face-shield and keeping everyone safe like staying at home these days.
Beginning with this beautiful behind the scenes look this show is as real as it gets. Truth for truth. Even if the opening scene of an interview for a look into marriage disguised as couples therapy (or is it the other way round on the couch?) will still have you convinced you're not yet watching the show but a featurette documentary about it. But when you finally realise you are on the settee set into this deep delve into a marriage that looks like it's more in matrimony with divorce, boy are you in it. From the guess whose coming to dinner (Corey Stoll at his "is this guy really a prick in real life" (I'm sure he's not, he's just a great actor) best). To curveballs that will cliffhanger blindside you after only a few episodes. I mean, what do you expect? This is a miniseries. We can't say anymore or we will spoil everything like coming home late for dinner. Suitcase in crumpled salary suited hand. All we can is this is 'A Most' brilliant reunion between Oscar and Jessica handled brutally and beautifully by Levi. About to set the net on fire like breaking it with that red carpet look of the man who voiced Gomez (someone get us a live-action look) in 'The Addams Family' animation treating Chastain's arm like Morticia that would have started many 'A Star Is Born' rumour as there were "find somebody who looks at you like" captions if it wasn't for both being happily married. In this television 'Marriage' however, we conveniently have the on-screen reunion we have been waiting for in all its ultimate professional chemistry and charming courtesy. Especially with the respect that comes when these performers can take it to the raw emotions that come with rings that circle around "for better or worse." Hiding behind the fences of white picket, picture perfect paradise. Albeit in a crooked frame. Taking it to the same kitchen floor that left Amy Winehouse in tears. 'Ex Machina' and 'Star Wars' star Isaac may have the mega blockbuster 'Dune' right now and Marvel's forthcoming 'Moon Knight' with Ethan Hawke foreboding to redeem his 'Apocalypse' with the X-Men (kudos to Chastain in 'Dark Phoenix'). Not to mention the ace in the hole of Paul Schrader's 'The Card Counter' if you want to talk about Hawke for your 'First Reformed' hand. But the man who deserves his first-name may just get the Emmy for what looks like his 'Llewyn Davis' finally settled down inside as the salt and pepper did in his beard. Meanwhile 'Zero Dark Thirty' and 'The Tree Of Life' star Chastain may be on another year of her life with 'The Eyes Of Tammy Faye' with Andrew Garfield WHO IS NOT IN THE NEW SPIDER-MAN MOVIE (we're going to keep jinxing it, until it's true) looking for the Oscar after her amazing year of 2017 ('The Zookeepers Wife', 'Miss Sloane' and 'Molly's Game') crazily didn't even get a nomination look in. Not to mention really 'Ava' starting something with her super spy epic ensemble of 'The 355', but this is truly her moment that doesn't even need the biggest screen to shine. Still, it's what the two 'Violent' stars achieve together in this 'Marriage' that will have you and hold you. You just can't take your eyes off them. Now how about third time being the charm for a Springsteen and Patti Scialfa biopic off E Street? In sickness and health they are two perfect performers in partnership giving their every vow to the craft. And what we can take from this to our home lives, either engaged in loneliness or working on a commitment is something that even in our worse times can make us all the better. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'A Most Violent Year', 'Show Me A Hero', 'The Tree Of Life'.
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