There is no story or plot to this movie! It's a look into human nature in marriage - but here we see the entire spectrum of the husband and wife in two individuals who meet for sexual pleasure - at first!

The beginning - hot heavy thrill of first nighting! But this can last only so long. Then starts the comfortable time just being together - sex is an aside thing - nice but not necessary.

As the relationship continues it's not long until more is wanted from each partner. What that 'more is' one partner is usually unwilling to give into - compromising begins. At some point resentment steps in and things begin to fall apart in the relationship.

Beautifully told by Matt Ross this movie has something in it for anyone that has loved or tried to love. It's all the same, humans go through stages in friendships, brief romances, marriage! And this movie is a grand look into it.

The ending may seem odd - but I interpret it as nothing will actually change and their 'romance/sex thing' will slip away and they will get on with their lives.

We are just given a peek at it .................

She is from Seattle; he is based in New York. He is a novelist; she is a data miner. They travel in their work and meet now and then. They are rather guarded about their personal information, but are obviously attracted to one another. They get to know each other over time. She reads his book and likes it.

Eventually they talk about anything and everything. Their careers change over time. They discuss the meaning of what they do. They deal with life events.

When he is about to get married (she has been for some time),they talk about dropping their mates and marrying each other. But somehow it does not happen.

They have some tough times as well, such as when they talk about why they have not married each other. The ambivalence shines through again.

Some of their pretend conversations about possible lives together are fantasy, but still priceless. The acting by Chris Messina and Marin Ireland was very nuanced.

She gets pregnant, and decides to rear the child with her husband of record. Both of them have trouble dealing with it, but it's the decision that involves the least damage. Other changes come along, like his inability to drink coffee, due to a stomach condition.

Will they keep meeting, or will their married lives force that tradition to break?

-------Scores-------

Cinematography: 9/10 Fine, except for the occasional camera shake.

Sound: 9/10 No problems.

Acting: 10/10 The two principals are quite good.

Screenplay: 9/10 Well told evolution of a long-lasting affair between two people who are more than friends.

Strong resemblance to 'Same Time, Next Year' with Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn, 1978.

Slightly repetitive, but with good reason. Loved the honest performances from both actors, as well as the peaky narrative of their relationship. what I didn't quite like was the dialogues. an affair's passion embarks for deeper conversations on both parties. After all, they crave for something out of the ordinary, and the excitement lacked in their choice of words.