lightning strikes twice

If you’re going to make a film about something serious like good ol’ double adultery, here’s a suggestion: make sure there is also something to laugh at.

We Don’t Live Here Anymore is about two youngish university lecturers who happen to be best friends, and their wives, and the complicated relationships between them. There’s a lot to like about the film — it’s well written, well acted, mostly well shot. But its got a major flaw. It is over earnest.

While watching it I couldn’t help think of one of the best films of the last few years, Lantana. Now here was a film that dealt with many similar weighty human relationship issues. But it had enough interest and humour to make it interesting. It managed to tread the fine line of including moments that make you laugh, while not reducing the tone of the movie. We Don’t Live Here Anymore had NONE of these moments that I could recall. This made it seem like it was full of spoilt grown ups, and its over full focus on the adults (the children are really only minor sideshows) actually reduced their impact.

I can only give this one 5 out of 10. Ooooh, maybe make that a 4.