Let me start off by stating that I like “The Brothers McMullen”. I saw it a long time ago. Edward Burns is now going to make a sequel (called “The Family McMullen”), which hopefully is good, but off of “Millers in Marriage”, I’m not so sure.
“McMullen” was a dramedy about a tight-knit family and the dynamics of relationships and a bunch of characters. Similar vibes here. “Millers” is about wealthy people in New York City and surrounding areas — several couples within this family of the Millers. We try early on to keep up with all the information thrown at us, especially as Burns’ character is explaining everything. But you just have to go with it.
The opening section is dull. A lot of awkward dialogue and conversations with unpleasant people drinking wine. Non-stop, frivolous chatting about the ups and downs of their relationships — and if they’re happy or unhappy (mostly unhappy) — with their lives. But thankfully, about 45 minutes in, “Millers in Marriage” gets kind of guilty pleasure, unintentionally hilarious. There are a number of moments when I laughed out loud. I don’t think that was Burns’ intention, but there are some classic moments (including one with Patrick Wilson at his son’s piano recital / audition) that is wild.
The ensemble also includes Julianna Marguiles, Minnie Driver, Morena Baccarin and Brian D’Arcy James. All the scenes with Gretchen Mol and Benjamin Bratt are so predictable. I felt like I was watching a rough off-Broadway play. The credit I’ll give is that these kinds of self-absorbed people with, as one character says at one point, “champagne problems”, do exist. I just don’t think we needed to spend two hours with them.
LCJ GRADE: D+
Running Time: 117 min.