A high-powered attorney duct tapes her adulterous husband to the toilet right before their home is invaded by burglars. You could call "Serious Moonlight," snappily written by the late actress-writer-director Adrienne Shelly, a five-and-dime "War of the Roses." When Louise, a high-powered Chicago attorney (Meg Ryan), discovers that her husband Ian (Timothy Hutton) is about to leave her for another woman named Sara (Kristen Bell), she prevents him from doing so by binding him to a chair with duct tape. NO STARS from ****. If so, it is as well-hidden as Hutton's once-celebrated acting skills. The similarities are minimal. Aggressively out of step with Ryans semi-comic posture, Longs burglar delivers sickeningly realistic jabs to Ians face and sexually assaults Louise, explicitly degrading her and fondling her chest while Ryan lies helpless on a bathroom floor, no doubt mentally retracing the steps of her derailed career. In the end, perhaps the saddest thing about Serious Moonlight is that Hines and her collaborators clearly intended the film as a tribute; instead, they've created a travesty. Without completely giving away the surprising twist at the end, there is another very important lesson for viewers in this movie. What does the Bible say about marriage? Sunlight Completed: Chapter 4. Barry Jenkins' Moonlight (2016) has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful and sensitive coming-of-age stories on celluloid. Gag Order by Michael Koresky Serious Moonlight Dir. As Louise, a type-A careerist who responds to the sheepish adultery confession of flakey husband Ian (Timothy Hutton) by knocking him out cold and duct-taping him to a chair for some ad-hoc marital therapy, Ryan is saddled with the impossible task of grafting her diminished charms onto a risible, psychotic harpy with no relatable human motivation. One sequence, halfway into the film, is particularly annoying: Husband and wife, tied up in the bathroom, enter into a prolonged argument. Yet the intruder's violent abuse, particularly of an unconscious Louise, painfully calls to mind the horrific bathroom slaying of the film's screenwriter, Adrienne Shelly, barely three years ago. QUIRKS: Romantic comedy. Chiron looks to Kevin and mentions that he's the only other person who had ever touched him, and . TikTok Facing Increasing Prospect of National Ban in New Bill Passed by House Committee, 'Stranger Things' Stage Play Set for London Debut, Viagra Trial Drama 'Men Up' Coming to BBC From Russell T. 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An exceptionally likable and talented actress, Hines proves barely competent in her new role, displaying no facility with the material's stagey structure. Serious Moonlight could easily have been staged as a play - only four main characters, one set, lots and lots (and lots) of dialogue and a nice separation among the acts. Although that's their first drama. She decides to surprise him at their country cottage, but quickly discovers she's the one. (377) 5.3 1 h 24 min 2009 X-Ray R. High-powered attorney Louise (Meg Ryan) arrives at her country nest for a little R and R only to discover that her husband (Timothy Hutton) plans to leave her for a younger woman (Kristen Bell). Why would such a useless movie get made? Serious Moonlight takes place largely in the couples upstairs bathroom, while drunken burglars led by Todd the gardener (Justin Long), who also ties up Louise, ransack the downstairs area. A less-than-frothy domestic showdown starring Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton, it owes as much to Edward Albee as to Nora Ephron, with an occasional nod to A Clockwork Orange. Sentimental interest in the work of Shelly (Waitress), who was murdered in 2006, will likely find the film a theatrical home, but its far too brittle and shrill to win much love. Serious Moonlight also brings to light some common problems that can strain marriages and also emphasizes the importance of talking through these issues. In a turn of events, both characters are killed by another and die in each other's arms after declaring their love. PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here. Shelly's beautiful work as the writer and director of 2007's Waitress suggests that other cooks might have had a hand in this broth; either way, it seems unlikely that she would have produced such an unmitigated disaster. The burglar inappropriately touches Louises chest and makes sexual remarks about her body, while Ian watches helplessly. He's had to put on a lot of armor to make it through the crucible of adolescence, but the world, in some ways, is a lot safer as an adult. Answer Though the ending is predictable, the film still works, even for a romantic comedy. Add song. The verbal three-way should have been a lot wittier than it is, although Ryan manages, through sheer timing, to turn a lot of lines into laughs. Much to Ians surprise, when he regains consciousness he finds himself duct taped to a chair completely unable to move. Feign experience. Serious Moonlight, a new DVD highlighting Bowie's 1983 tour of the same name, is proof of this unfortunate fact. 2 things saved SERIOUS: A fair share of laugh-provoking moments, and acts 3+4. Let s Dance by David Bowie song meaning, lyric interpretation . serious moonlight movie ending explained. The end of the beginning requires a salutation evoking a slightly more regal tip of the hat than just "Hey." Similarly, you need to know how to end a letter in a way that conveys gravitas, but without literally spelling out "This letter was written and sent by a . Shots are inexplicably allowed to fall out of focus, slow motion is employed to assist any complex movement, and the demands of basic shot composition prove too much, despite the majority of the film taking place in one room with two actors. After Louise returns home with the groceries and the young burglar attacks Louise, Ian becomes very defensive and angry, as he is forced to listen helplessly to the burglar attack his wife. Moonlight Garden has a kinda escapism theme + a setting similar to Her Tale of Shim Cheong, however are more light-hearted and romance-based. Devastated, Louise will not let Ian leave their house until they work through their relationship problems, but Ian refuses to stay and tells Louise that he does not love her anymore. Like any sensible wife, Louise clocks Ian with a vase and duct-tapes him to a chair. She holds her husband captive to try to win him back. The opening scene of "Moonlight" paints a grim picture. "Serious Moonlight" takes place largely in the couple's upstairs bathroom, while drunken burglars led by Todd the gardener (Justin Long), who also ties up Louise, ransack the downstairs area.. I read some other reviews and the ending that many hav complained about, to me, is the best, most honest and real part (though I had guessed it already) of the entire movie .. 2 1/2 stars (rounded up to 3 stars) is very generous and the bathroom "fighting" scenes are woefully horrible acting . Ian feels like he is a joke and is no longer the strong man that she married, but Louise reassures him that she does need him and cannot imagine life without him. All Rights Reserved. David Bowie and Stevie Ray Vaughan Highlights. It's one of those rare little gems you don't expect to find, but end up grinning from ear to ear when you do. Maybe weve seen Louise before, in characters played by Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep and others, but Ryan makes Louise a ballsy, believable bitch to behold. Don't believe that hooey. How far would you go to save your marriage? Directed by Curb Your Enthusiasm's Cheryl Hines from a script by the late Adrienne Shelly, the bitter comedy Serious Moonlight is meant to be both funny and painful, but manages only the latter. That's not too memorable. Moonlight Movie Quotes Read Chiron and Juan's Conversation. The pits! Not a nice farewell gesture to his wife of 13 years. The only good thing about it is that it's short. It's based on Stephen King's book by the same name. Sure, Marc Spector and Steven Grant's story seemingly came to a neat conclusion, yet a post-credits scene blew the bloody doors off, teasing a long future . 2023 Variety Media, LLC. Unconventional Marriage Auto-Counselling With Duct Tape, It's like a romantic comedy except completely different. When Ian refuses to listen to reason, such as it is, Louise knocks him out with a flower pot, trusses him up, tapes him to the toilet and tries to argue him back into loving her. Many women would probably like to duct-tape their unfaithful mates to a toilet bowl, but watching it happen isnt quite as funny as it sounds at least, not in Serious Moonlight, actress Cheryl Hines adaptation of the late Adrienne Shellys screenplay. Screened: Saturday, April 25 Production: Night & Day Pictures, All for A Films Cast: Meg Ryan, Timothy. Serious Moonlight is certainly an atypical romantic comedy, but the cast members convincing performances brought their characters to life. He began each day with two hours of aerobics and shadow-boxing. Serious Moonlight. (Far superior to rest of film). Totally losing touch with reality, she decides to "kidnap" husband until he has "retuned to his senses" and abandons the idea of abandoning her. It doesnt make the films uglier aspects any prettier after Todd has taken the women hostage, theres a palpable threat of rape and even some molestation, with an impotent Ian screaming from the toilet bowl. I knew the basic premise, but wondered if they could pull it off. Serious moonlight has a couple of little flaws but really I didn't have much of a problem with it. Serious Moonlight may refer to: Serious Moonlight (1983 film); a video album by David Bowie Serious Moonlight (2009 film); a comedy film starring Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell and Justin Long Serious Moonlight Tour; a 1983 concert tour by David Bowie . Serious Moonlight (2009) on IMDb: Movies, TV, Celebs, and more. Leave Weka in peace. They manage to escape by calling the police from Sara's cell phone, which is in her back pocket. It has not. And that's my point -- too many of your movies are forgotten already. Louises resolve to work through their marital problems and her commitment to their wedding vows is the most positive and refreshing theme throughout this film. It was probably a mistake to have Hines try to walk that same delicate line that took Shelly her entire career to master. 05/21/2022. It isn't funny, entertaining or exciting, it's just bad. [14] The Village Voice found the film's "backstory much more intriguingly dramatic than what's onscreen".[15]. (LogOut/ Ian feels remorse for his mistakes and deceit, as he is reminded why he loves Louise. And here's another one. Answer, Thieves in the Bible: Theft, Robbery, The two thieves, Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Cindy Hotnheavy - . Moonlight Completed: Chapter 6 > You'll get Ending 2. She ties up Ian in their country house, and refuses to let him go until they talk things . With Kristen Bell ( Heroes, Forgetting Sarah Marshell, etc), and Justin Long ( Zack & Miri Make A Porno, Drag Me To Hell, Funny People, Walk Hard:The Dewey Cox Story, Idiocracy, Dodgeball, Happy Campers, Galaxy Quest). [1] It was released by Magnolia Pictures on 4 December 2009. She decides to surprise him at their country cottage, but quickly discovers she's the . Serious Moonlight By Perri Nemiroff last updated 27 May 2016 Pet peeves are dangerous, letting the tiniest faux pas completely tarnish your impression of a person, restaurant or even a movie. Just before leaving, on the side of the road I spied a 1600-lb beast (whose name is Zeus, apparently), serenely chewing on the bark of a tree. This film also emphasizes the importance of a strong foundation for relationships. Serious Moonlight is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple . End date 8 December 1983 Legs 8 Shows 96. She ties him up, with duct tape, in their farm house. Serious Moonlight is the film directorial debut of veteran comedienne Cheryl Hines. The Browns also have fullback Johnny Stanton, who can moonlight as a tight end. "Serious Moonlight's" protagonist, Louise ( Meg Ryan ), a successful attorney, discovers the answer to that question when she returns home to find herself greeted by a surprise romantic weekend planned by her husband, Ian ( Timothy Hutton ), but much to her dismay, Ian hands her a breakup note telling her he has been having an affair with another Even Hutton, who has emerged unscathed from not a few painful projects, finds himself at a loss; forced to say most of his lines while half-naked and taped to a toilet (don't ask: If only continuity were this film's biggest problem), the actor can do little more than grit his teeth and try to keep his legs together. Making the movie was something painful but cathartic everyone needed to get out of their system. Still a lot of angst at the end of both volumes though. Many people are convinced that traditional marriages dont work and that this practice should be abandoned. 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