There are certain subject matters that do not seem the best fit for a comedic undertaking. Anyone who has gone through a divorce would probably tell you that they are not looking to laugh about it anytime soon. Nevertheless, with the right approach you can find moments of levity in what many would consider a social epidemic. Director Gilbert Cates was in for an up and down year in 1980 with the release of his biggest hit, Oh, God! Book II, and a somewhat disappointing addition to his legacy, The Last Married Couple In America. While not a box office success, the latter is a surprisingly edgy social satire that brings together the incredible comedic talents of George Segal, already well versed in marital strife from his turn in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and the boundless charm of Natalie Wood (Inside Daisy Clover), who would count this as her last completed theatrical feature before her death in 1981. The results can occasionally be unpleasant, but the film deftly maneuvers through the material to create something overall entertaining.
Jeff (George Segal) and Mari Thompson (Natalie Wood) are a perfectly happy married couple. Sure, they have had some issues with infidelity in the past, but at the present they seem stronger than ever. As the film opens up at their weekly group football game, they notice some couples have dropped out, and those who remain are showing signs of wear with the relationship. Divorce is swiftly tearing through the friend group at an alarming rate, and slowly but surely Jeff and Mari are the ones that seem like outsiders with their stable marriage. The film plays it smart by showcasing the natural chemistry between Segal and Wood from the very beginning. The way in which they speak about the other couples in an almost horrified tone is indicative of the love they have for one another, but there is also the bubbling doubt of whether there is actually something wrong with their marriage that they might be overlooking. Are they living the best versions of their lives or could they be happier?
The tone of the film does its best to balance bleak, satirical comedy with melodrama in a way that does not always work, but is overall engaging. As the titular married couple, Jeff and Mari are often subjected to ridiculous notions from those closest to them who have already succumbed to their separation. Most of them claim to be thriving after being unburdened by their partners, but could it be that misery love company? Characters in the film do make some frustrating choices throughout the narrative that will have you screaming, but this seems to be the point. Valerie Harper (The Mary Tyler Moore Show) makes quite an impression as Barbara, an old friend of Mari’s who has been nursing a crush on Jeff for years and is eager to capitalize on her newfound freedom. Throughout the trials and tribulations of their marriage, the baseline likability of our two leads keeps the audience from being turned off completely. George Segal can make the most ridiculous characters seem alright, and Natalie Wood shines with such a warmth that your heart breaks all over again thinking of the talent we would lose just a year later.
For all of its unpleasantness, The Last Married Couple In America does seem to have its heart in the right place. While the film depicts a couple that you should not exactly strive to emulate, it seems to posit that all marriages have their issues but love can win out in the end. The message is not exactly nuanced, but it is served up quite nicely with a final narrative development that strikes the right chord. Even so, there are many elements of this story that do not hold up well in regards to the depiction of women and sexual dynamics. Some of this can probably be attributed to the satiric edge of the picture, but a good chunk of it was likely unintentional misogyny. Those who are not exactly in a good place in their own relationships may not find this the best viewing experience, but those with an affection for the cast and the willingness to delve into uncomfortable subject matter might find something of merit.
Video Quality
The Last Married Couple In America comes to Blu-Ray with a digital AVC encoded 1080p transfer that appears to be derived from an excellent older restored master. The presentation is very pleasing throughout most of the runtime with plenty of textural details. This release thankfully does not seem to be plagued by digital tinkering, which allows this transfer to maintain the natural film grain of the presentation. The picture occasionally runs slightly on the soft side, most likely due to limitations of the original source material. Colors are well saturated in a lovely way, and instances of print damage have been cleaned up immensely with only minor fluctuations in density popping up as the most obvious issue. Overall clarity and detail is very nice, and skin tones are natural and consistent with subtle facial features easily noticeable in closeup. Black levels hold up well with crush not serving as an overwhelming issue. This film maintains its intended theatrical look with a lovely, grainy presentation that showcases a vibrancy that only film can capture.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray disc comes with a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that captures the artistic intention of the film. The jazzy music that lingers throughout the film sounds great when coursing through the room. There is never a moment where it threatens to overwhelm competing sounds, and it maintains a good balance so that dialogue comes through clearly. Environmental sounds such as the idle chatter of a dinner party are rendered well alongside everything else. There does not seem to be any majorly noticeable instances of age-related wear and tear. Kino Classics has given this film the impeccably preserved audio presentation it deserves.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Film Historian Lee Gambin delivers an informative commentary track in which he delves into the performers in the film, the cultural landscape at the time of production, the staging of certain scenes, the dated aspects of the film and more. There are a lot of good nuggets of information within this that are worth exploring.
- Trailers: The two-and-a-half minute amusing trailer for The Last Married Couple In America is included here. There are also trailers provided for Where’s Poppa?, All Night Long and Sweet Liberty.
Final Thoughts
The Last Married Couple In America can be a slightly depressing but overall darkly humorous take on the institution of marriage. Natalie Wood and George Segal have a delightful chemistry that makes the film work as well as it does. There are more than a fair share of problematic elements even beyond the satire, but overall the film is an entertaining and engaging time. Kino Classics has released a Blu-Ray that sports a strong A/V presentation and an interesting commentary track. If you are a fan of the talent involved, this film is worth a look. Recommended
The Last Married Couple In America is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
