Infidelity in cinema is nothing new. Much like the boiling conflicts of war or the inevitable fissures of generations old and new, the inherent drama of infidelity has always been one of those clear cut and elemental driving forces that has the immediacy to color an entire movie. Reaction to it is almost automatic and the story, depending on who's telling it always seems to virtually write itself. Yet in the case of The Lovers, infidelity is less the flash of conflict as it is the strangely reserved starting point to a story about human peculiarities. The esteemed Debra Winger and acclaimed playwright/due paying bit actor Tracy Letts play Mary and Michael, a middle-aged married couple whose loveless marriage is nearing its dispassionate end. Both barely hide their constant trysts with their respective inamoratos, both of whom are artists and both of whom remind Michael and Mary of who they once were. In the weeks before their estranged son Joel (Ross) is to visit, both simultaneously resolve to end their marriage. Yet as they come closer to the brink of separation, eros takes a hold of them, leading to an impulsive romance. The beauty of The Lovers is it twists and turns in surprising yet painfully human ways. Every time you think you have a firm understanding of the characters at play, something unexpected yet so emphatically human breaches through and the movie gainfully searches for a new dynamic. It's all to our delight. Behind the film's reserved almost dusty demeanor lies a barely hidden heart threatening to burst at the seams. The film for the most part stays true to its quiet composure. Yet in a few key moments the movie almost seems to glitter with the emotional resonance reserved to it welling romantic score. Director Azazel Jacobs does wonders with his workmanlike camera-work. It's purposeful fluidity and literate use of space sells a particular kind of drollness. One that can take the innate beauty of Southern California and make it fade in the background against two deeply flawed characters and their increasingly desperate counterparts. Yet what sells The Lovers's admittedly indie aesthetic, is the film's central foursome; Letts, Winger, Aiden Gillen and Melora Walters. Their reactions to the duplicity, then the double duplicity carries the entirety of the script in their eyes, their body-language, their placement in the room. One could put the film on mute and gleam everything apart from the names. The film as a whole is meant to be a meditation on mature love; a prospect that sometimes falters under the weight of the film's melancholy tone. This is not to say the tone is the problem but rather The Lovers's beat-by-beat story flirts a little too much with melodrama for something not to eventually give. And yes, the movie risks breaking down completely during its final act with the arrival of a coarse Tyler Ross, who slumps in the middle of the film's delicate and disquieting frame, and call out its bulls**t with the subtlety of a bullhorn. Thanks to the unforced earnestness of Winger and Letts (and an oddly perfect song selection), The Lovers finds it within itself to bounce back like a seasoned dancer after a minor trip. What results, may not be the most well-observed study of needy, perilously unhappy people. Yet considering how counterfeit a lot of movies feel nowadays it's nice to see something that attempts to find the audacity in the littlest of moments.

"The Lovers" is one of those complex movies about the ups and downs of love and life it proves that marriage and relationships are complex and hard to understand. Debra Winger(nice to see some work again from the veteran)is Mary a middle aged married woman who's involved with someone else and on the side her husband Michael(Tracy Letts)is also involved in a game of hot passion with someone else from the opposite sex. Oddly enough the marriage and relationship for both Mary and Michael takes a turn and spin to where they both find a spark of passion and romance between them as it's now hot and wild under the sheets. Thru it all the truth is revealed for a new life path for both still love, passion, and romance leads both Michael and Mary back to being lovers of each other! Overall good romance drama take on the complex ways of life, love, passion and marriage.

the story was good.although it was cliché but it was good. but it didn't been directed to be shown as real. why did Robert follow the couples to market and threatened Michael?first it was surprise to see Robert behave like fist time young lovers and second it seems the director was hopeless and desperate and wanted to go straight to the end. and why did took Debra Winger(Mary)that long time to get back to home and why their son (who was so worried about his mom and wanted to beat the s@#5it out of his father) did nothing to reach his mother and waited in the house and didn't conflict with his father who were sitting on the couch; it didn't make any sense. and the singing in the middle of disaster and family crisis,who dose that? it was my time to go bed but after seeing this ending i felt sorry for my self watching this movie. and i was very disappointed how the movie ended. and i don't mean that i love happy endings but after 3/4 of the film, it went wrong way.its like the director had cheated me as audience.(sorry for my poor English).

Know this supposed to a comedy in a dark sick sense. Both parties in a long marriage are having affairs. They are about to inform each other they are leaving under pressure from their respective lovers. The biggest flaws of the movie is it often feels written. The hand of the writer is just too heavy. The son conveniently punches a hole in the wall, that can be peeked through in a later scene. It doesn't work that way as walls are dry walled in both rooms and he didn't punch through two walls. The convenient placement of the piano seemed suspect. The son was too intense and one dimensional. The ballet teacher and Alan would never get together in any known universe. It a small fluff movie that is kinda fun to watch. It has a perky score and a good pace. It's in very limited release and doesn't need to be seen on the big screen. It's worth a look in the comfort of your home.

I expected to enjoy this film because of the lead actors and the overall concept. However, it turned out to be a disappointment. They all seemed so emotionally immature and all seemed to have such superficial relationships. The word "lover" did not really apply to any of them. The son had the most depth of feeling and the poor guy was obviously unloved too and trying to find something more with his girlfriend. I felt sorry for every single person in this film. They all seemed pathetic. I'm not sure if that's what the writer meant to convey but I certainly did not enjoy this film. I think that none of these people knows what love is or how to give love or be loving. They're all just going through the motions and pretending they feel things they don't seem to feel. I am so grateful that I have such a different experience of love and know what it is....

The only other review so far (by Bastille above) is on the money. He does a good job of describing the acting, script, etc. I would like to add another point, however: it also cleverly examines the issues of love, marriage, lust, and sex and how they are intertwined...or not. Very creative.

I was looking forward to seeing Debra Winger in a film again and also a movie of this topic. The website identify this as a comedy - if is a sad show - not a comedy. The main couple are both having affairs and are unhappy in both situations. Debra's character is well played but she looks unhappy in both situations. Tracy Letts as her husband is bland - not much personality portrayed and frustrated with many aspects of his lover. So did I like it or not. As entertainment - NO. The story line sounded better - unusual to see a movie of people of this age and I expected move. The last scene - actually not a scene - it is a phone call - should have happened sooner and then maybe it could have been rated as a comedy. For me this was a disappointing movie.

The premise of this film surely does it no favors. It sounds very much like a standard type of narrative when it's actually not. The way the film progresses in unexpected ways and it never feels forced or contrived. The performances are a testament to how natural it feels, but the screenplay is quite strong as well. Tracy Letts and Debra Winger are both very resonant and vulnerable when they need to be and they hit the various notes of the film in a pitch perfect way throughout. Someone else might have made this a complete melodrama and overblown but the film is anything but. This is highly recommended.

Being of the older generation, I thought I would like this film more than I did. Debra Winger and Tracy Letts are a married couple with each having an affair and continually postponing telling the other that they're leaving. Thus, they're also stringing along their lovers being unable to fully commit one way or the other. Somehow, this rekindles Winger and Letts' passion for each other sexually. The movie is very slow-paced, has many awkward moments, but it does contain some deadpan humor that works at times. The film's characters are mostly unlikable and thus I was never really able to invest emotionally in them or really care what happened to them in the end. Overall, a disappointment to me.

Who are these people, what has gone wrong with their marriage? Why are they lying to each other & their lovers? Why are they uncomfortable with their adult child? I cared so little I left. The wife has an affair with an attractive younger man. Her boring unattractive husband's lover is a ballet teacher. I could tell where the film was going, but both characters were so unsympathetic I did not care. Older 50 adults having sex--so what? I cannot recommend this film on any grounds.