Trust the Man

Directed by: Bart Freundlich
Starring: David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Billy Crudup, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eva Mendes
Running Time: 1h 43min

Adult comedies that work don't come around that often. And when they do, they're often so profanity laden and raunchy, that they earn their R rating, and as a result, the laughter ensues from the shock and taboo release we find in them.
Rarely are they funny in a mature, complex, and honest manner, filled with characters that are three dimensional and realistically flawed.

Trust the Man is a gem, in that it is a rare cinematic achievement, that takes enough risks that could go wrong, but is so well cast that everything goes right. Immediately, each actor reveals enough depth and humanity, that it is easy to fall into the world in which they live, as we watch a number of couples struggle with their fidelity, relationships, and self-worth. After watching a few scenes of Duchovny, Moore, Crudup and Gyllenhaal trading lines and looks, you can't help but wish this were a weekly series so you could tune in and enjoy their insanity week in and week out.

Hollywood has given us so many stock romances with typical character and story arcs, that while watching this film, you're expecting it to go in certain directions, but it never fully turns out as expected. Sure, the basic premise might go in the obvious direction, but never without a stylistic twist, or an odd humerous angle. The leading four, plus Mendes as a supporting character, truly embody a wonderful place where comedy and drama show no boundaries, as all five are equally adept at both worlds. Their skill at both aspects peppers each scene with a tone unlike most films.

There are some bizarrely funny moments, and scenes written completely for the gag. Yet there are just as many scenes that punctuate the difficulties couples have growing together, whether its growing apart, growing old, or growing in spite of the other. The swinging emotional ride takes a little getting used to, but once you realize that this is not going to be a typical film, that follows its characters more than it leads them, then you are in for a refreshing, fun, unique bit of dramedy.

Filled with many laugh out loud moments, some tragic heartbreak, and some smart, reflective dialogue, Trust the Man is a great writing and directing effort that gets the most from its talented cast. Definitely worth the time spent, and hopefully we will see these thespians involved in future projects together, quite possibly with the same writer.

Grade: B+