The Wife (2018)

When her husband (Jonathan Pryce) wins the Nobel prize for literature, his wife (Glenn Close) accompanies him to Stockholm for the ceremonies. But it is there that she begins to question her life's choices in sacrificing her own talent in deference to her spouse. Based on the novel by Meg Wolitzer and directed by Bjorn Runge. There's an idiom that says behind every great man is a great woman. But what if it's a great woman behind a mediocre man? The seeds of this film begin in 1958, pre-feminism. When women didn't have the career opportunities that men had and a wife was expected to stand by and support her man. But what of the slow rage simmering for decades behind the facade of the good wife? Unfortunately, the film isn't worthy of its protagonist anymore than her husband is. It's one of those movies that justifies its existence by a spectacular performance, in this case, a killer performance by Glenn Close. In her bid for her 7th Oscar nomination (she's never won), Close seizes the opportunity to knock it out of the ballpark. Alas, none of her fellow actors rises to her and the film never equals her power. The only other performance I liked was Elizabeth McGovern who has one scene that crackles and I wish the film had used her more. There's a nice underscore by Jocelyn Pook (EYES WIDE SHUT). With Christian Slater, Max Irons (Jeremy's son), Annie Starke (Close's daughter) and Harry Lloyd.