Review: Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

Seeing this was, obviously a “better late than never” situation. Many of us movie buffs might remember Mr. and Mrs. Smith as “the” film which cloaked its two major stars in quite a controversy – or at least it did by Hollywood’s ideals. Since seeing two more recent films that mirror this one, this title was re-introduced. So without further ado, I am finally getting around to posting this review.

They met in a foreign land, amid chaos during Columbia’s war-torn revolution. In a spur of the moment connection they become travelling companions for their own protection. John Smith (Brad Pitt) is a successful contractor who met his wife Jane (Angelina Jolie) while out for a “job.” It was a clandestine meeting that may have never been had their eyes not met across the room… or was it? Five (or six - who is counting?) years later, they are married, in marriage counseling and living a charmed life. Both their businesses are prospering and they own a beautiful suburban home… but in all other respects their life is “boring.” There is this void – space, where they say lots to each other, but don’t really say anything. Something their counselor calls “marriage.” They are merely polite to one another and act as if nothing is really wrong. John is private about his work and Jane is likewise, having asked him never to visit her at the office. Their quiet life takes a turn upside down when they learn that the other has concealed a secret identity.

They are really assassins working for rival agencies…

Talk about a relationship “killer.”

After a mix-up on a “job,” Jane’s cover is blown when a lone civilian messes up her hit. Reviewing the footage, she realizes the man looks somewhat familiar… news John countermands when he learns it was Jane who ruined his hit. Suddenly, the two lovers become suspicious of one another… especially when their rival agencies demand no witness be left and counteract with hits out on the assassins.

Meant to be taken in the proper context of satire, this Hollywood production was in the news for more reasons than one. This wasn’t new or at least, it isn’t now. Recent years have produced countless other such titles that do seem to copycat this general concept, and in my opinion they are just as fun, if not slightly more comedic and better. By first impressions, this seems more of a relationship-driven story, believe it or not. Questionable as it may be, there is definitely something underneath the façade that is not comedic or amusing. The majority of the film is motivated by emotion that has a slight edge of seriousness to it. Most of the scenes are “boring” because John and Jane’s marriage is… well, boring. They lost the spark long ago and are now just living out a normal, safe relationship. In that sense, the movie had potential to expand on more sobering topics, but instead the entire premise revolves around uncovering a web of lies. 

Believe it or not, at least the first forty-some minutes are “satisfactory.” The movie is sedate, simple and funny in subtle ways – like Jane and John eating dinner with an enormous void between them (both physically and mentally) or seeing them carry out a normal, mundane routine, immediately following a kill. Definitely, it’s the latter half that gets a bit crazy and less restrained. It makes the first half seem all the funnier, but at the same time the two extremes appear a little preposterous. The climax is a HUGE shoot-out that would have ensured the couples deaths but in a typical only-in-the-movies scenario, we are assured a happy ending. Following in the vibes you get from cover art and promotion, when you settle in for this you must realize that while Mr. and Mrs. Smith is sure to offer some chuckles – which it effectively does, it isn’t prefect. Flawed in many ways, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a blast, if you are willing to realize it is sometimes on two different wavelengths.

 As Christians, certain themes and/or subjects are troubling or at the very least dissatisfying because of its immorality. That is why I am of the opinion that if you chose to watch something out of Hollywood, you must be prepared to “overlook” such faults – to some extent. Certainly, we aren’t going to be influenced (as adults) by these choices, but we can find a story interesting without compromising how we live. Such – as with nearly every movie, is the case with this. If you like the premise, then this one is perfect and mindless fun.

Related Posts:

• Review: The Tourist 

(Rated PG13, here is the content: bullets fly everywhere. As a means of distraction, Jane dresses in a leather-clad outfit complete with whip to gain access to her targets bedroom. Mild sexual jokes invade the script. Upon meeting, Jane and John get drunk and promptly spend a night together within a matter of hours. Post-marriage there is one sex scene that gets quite sensual.  Profanity: a**, sh*t, da*n, bi*ch. Two scenes feature a risqué dance sequence. Various other moments find Jane in suggestive dress [side slits, low-cut or form-fitting])

Categories: Angelina Jolie, Comedy, Marriage, Movie, Review, Suspense

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