A Good Marriage (2014)


In 2010 Stephen King released a novella collection called Full Dark, No Stars.  The stories it contained were much darker than most of his contemporary material, being less concerned about the supernatural and more about all the evil that human beings can do.  One of the novellas was called A Good Marriage, a rather memorable tale inspired by Dennis Rader, the BTK killer, who managed to convince everyone that he was just a normal guy involved in his community.

Bob (Anthony LaPaglia) and Darcy Anderson (Joan Allen) are a couple that own a rare coin business, while Bob also makes money as an accountant.  They have two children, the oldest Petra (Kristen Connolly) about to get married.  They seem the ideal couple to their neighbors and friends, although Bob is a bit controlling when no one is around.  After they celebrate their 25th anniversary Bob goes off on his usual search for more coins. 

This is while a serial killer named Beadie is murdering women in New England.  After torturing and dispatching them he mails their identification to the authorities in order to taunt them.  While looking for batteries Darcy accidentally finds a hiding spot where Bob is keeping the ID of the latest victim.  He figures out that she knows and comes home to confront her in the hopes that their life can go on as normal.  

Although this was a screenplay written by King it obviously loses a bit in the translation.  The novella tells the story from Darcy's point of view and reflects her inner monologue and digs a bit deeper into her own psychological state regarding the revelation that turns her life upside down.  Wisely director Peter Askin foregoes any narration, but it is understandable how many viewers would feel something is missing between learning who Bob is and her ultimate solution.

Because of the nature of the tale most of the movie hangs on the performances of Joan Allen and Anthony LaPaglia.  Their skill as actors helps make the confrontation between them that much more tense, as does the slow revelation that their great relationship is underpinned by his controlling nature.  The film has a deliberate pace, an almost claustrophobic feel as most of the action takes place and the Andersons' home.  

Despite the disappointing reviews I did enjoy this adaptation, although I think Askin had Stephen Lang play Holt Ramsey a bit more lame than he was in the story.  I do understand why this was a disappointment to many fans as it is a difficult story to bring to the screen, but what it lacks in the typical scare department it more than makes up for in pure tension.

A Good Marriage (2014)
Time: 102 minutes
Starring: Joan Allen, Anthony LaPaglia, Stephen Lang
Director: Peter Askin






 

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