‘The Lovers’ Takes an Honest, Unflinching Look at Extramarital Affairs

Sandra Miska

A tale of middle-aged love is told in the romantic comedy “The Lovers.” Mary (Debra Winger) and Michael (Tracy Letts) are a married couple of many years standing who are first introduced as being in the throes of passion – just not with each other. Mary is having an affair with hunky Irish writer Robert (Aidan Gillen), while Michael is carrying on with temperamental ballet instructor Lucy (Melora Walters). Much humor comes out of the pair lying to each other about working late nights, grabbing drinks with friends, and even buying toothpaste to steal away quality time with their respective paramours. Not surprisingly, both Robert and Lucy are unhappy being side pieces, and after Mary and Michael’s son, Joel (Tyler Ross), announces an impending visit from college, both parties set a date with their respective lovers to break the news to their spouses that it’s over. However, with the finish line of their marriage in sight, Mary and Michael shockingly discover that the fire between them hasn’t between completely extinguished.

It is on a seemingly ordinary morning that Mary and Michael find themselves being pulled together by an unexplainable force, and soon it is their relationship with each other that engulfs both of their lives, while their extramarital relationships start to feel more like obligations. Mary falls asleep while Robert bares his soul to her through his writing, while Michael leaves Lucy cooling her heels during one date when he sneaks away to flirt with his wife over the phone. The one person who is possibly more surprised by this reignited spark other than Mary and Michael is Joel (Tyler Ross), who during the train ride home warns his girlfriend, Erin (Jessica Sula), that his mom and dad hate each other, but is taken aback to discover his parents in lovey-dovey mode. With a happy younger couple in the house, Mary and Michael feel even more of a renewal – especially Michael, who recounts to Erin how he won over his wife. However, before the visit ends, the harmonious little household is thrown into turmoil with a rude awakening.

“The Lovers” is a touching and funny film that explores just how complicated relationships can be and comes to the conclusion that there’s more than one way to make things work. The cast is fantastic, and Winger and Letts both give nuanced performances. This is a great showcase for Winger especially, who has been out of the spotlight in recent years, partly by choice. The film also allows Letts, a celebrated playwright, show a lighter side, something he didn’t exactly get a chance to do in recent films “Christine” and “Indignation.” In those films he’s a tough authority figure; here he is more vulnerable, especially in one memorable scene in a grocery story in which he comes face to face with something painful. Newcomers Ross and Sula also shine here. Walters and Gillen also do well, especially Gillen, who is currently best known for his role on “Game of Thrones” and continues to prove himself as a versatile actor.

“The Lovers” opens May 5 in Los Angeles and New York.