"Something to Talk About" Examines Critical Issues About Trust in Marriage

Copyright © 2009 Ed Bagleyhappens next is why you should watch this movie at
Something to Talk About - 3 Stars (Good)least once.
"Something to Talk About" stars Julia Roberts, whichOne of the lessons of Something to Talk About is
immediately makes me think romantic comedy, butthat couples can fuss about how to spend their
trust me when I said that this 1995 film has moremoney (or lack thereof), and how to raise their
drama than comedy as it tackles a subject prevalentchildren, but what ultimately leads to the divorce
in today's modern marriages—adultery.court is a lack of communication.
Grace Bichon (Julia Roberts) comes from a wealthyWe are reminded again that the opposite of love is
Southern family that breeds and buys horses fornot hate (both are strong emotions), but silence and
competition in dressage, the art of riding and trainingwithdrawal (the absence of emotion). Making a
a horse in a manner that develops obedience,marriage work is a full time job and, if you are not
flexibility and balance (or jumpers, as someone notworking at it all the time, pretty soon your marriage
into dressage might say).will collapse.
Grace, who manages her father's riding stable,This film throws around some very strong, vulgar
catches her husband Eddie (Dennis Quaid) cheating onlanguage in some very public places, and challenges
her, and cannot forgive or forget his egregious act ofthe viewer to put the language in perspective and
violating her trust in him as a husband and father oftry to see the underlying message about why
their young daughter Caroline (Haley Aull).marriages collapse, and the impact on the lives of
Unfortunately for Grace, everyone but her sisterthose involved.
Emma Rae (Kyra Sedgwick) and Aunt Rae (AnneI would normally give a film like this an average (2
Shropshire) sides with her unfaithful husband becauseStar) rating, but I am big on relationship movies, and
of their wealth and social position, including her fathereven bigger on movies that convey a message that
Wyly (Robert Duvall), mother Georgia (Genacreates a learning situation. Credit writer Callie Khouri
Rowlands) and every social "friend" Grace counts onwith the script and Lasse Hallstrom as the director;
to understand her situation.both made this more than an entertainment vehicle,
Grace's father has all of the compassion,they chose to do more than less and deserve my
understanding and tolerance of a steamrollergood (3 Star) rating.
flattening an ant on the pavement. His ego is biggerKyra Sedgwick's performance as Emma Rae was
than his ranch and his word is law, or you will facerecognized with a Golden Globe nomination as Best
the consequences.Supporting Actress. What she does to the wandering
The comedy part of this film owes a lot to Emmahusband Eddie is worth the price of admission alone.
Rae, who, like her father, is not afraid to use enoughGo ahead, see Something to Talk About, and you will
strong language—along with Grace—to make ithave something to talk about.
an R-rated movie. We are led to believe that theRead more of my movie reviews on films with a lot
wandering Eddie was not trying to make a careerof substance, depth and feeling, including:
out of being unfaithful, but was miserable in his"A Christmas Story" - "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" -
marriage."Secondhand Lions" - "The Chorus (Les Choristes in
Grace feels totally abandoned until her mother learnsFrench)" - "Waking Ned Devine" - "Chariots of Fire" -
that her father is also running around on the side."Steel Magnolias" - "Chocolat" and "Radio"
Then it becomes a battle of some very unhappyThese are all excellent films.
women who shut the men out of their life. What