Tag: 10 Bad Relationship Movies

10 Bad-relationship Movies: 5. ‘The War of the Roses’

Jeff Mitchell

5. “The War of the Roses” (1989) – Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner starred in the wildly funny action-picture, rom-com “Romancing the Stone” (1984) and its less-magnetic sequel “The Jewel of the Nile” (1985).  Four years later the two paired up again in another comedy, but a dark one.  Danny DeVito – who also acted in both previously-mentioned films – spins the story of Oliver (Douglas) and Barbara (Turner) Rose, a couple pitted in a vicious divorce proceeding that purposely delves into cartoonish altercations. Barbara wants the divorce, and her…

10 Bad-Relationship Movies: 8. ‘Smashed’

Jeff Mitchell

8. “Smashed” (2012) – Alcoholism tortures the soul by compelling one to share their existence with a drug, and Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Charlie (Aaron Paul) both perfectly fit the profile.  They struggle with alcohol, but director James Ponsoldt keeps much of the focus on Kate, as her addiction greatly impacts her job. She’s an elementary school teacher. Kate eventually hits rock bottom and decides to get sober, but her uphill climb becomes considerably steeper, because Charlie does not share her goals.  Their marriage has drifted apart in only…

10 Bad-Relationship Movies: 9. ‘Nebraska’

Jeff Mitchell

“Nebraska” (2013) – Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is delusional.  He repeatedly attempts to walk from Montana to Nebraska to collect an alleged lottery prize, and finally, his son David (Will Forte) decides to save his dad from the continued pedestrian torture.  He drives him to Nebraska, and they make a dysfunctional road trip out of it in one of Alexander Payne’s (“Election” (1999), “Sideways” (2004)) signature dark comedies. Even though Woody and David’s father-son despondent bond is in dire need of some cheer, his marriage to Kate (June Squibb) has…