After Happily Ever After

A charming and compelling documentary

     

I am so glad I was able to finally watch After Happily Ever After, having heard about it for months. It is a film that takes something as complex as marriage and turns it into something charming and simple without losing those complexities. It doesn't exactly explain how to get to happily ever after. Instead it offers a variety of ideas and paths (some unconventional) but is ultimately optimistic.

This film is a fun,sweet and honest look at the institution of marriage. There are some quirky married couples who will make you laugh (or at least smile at the ones who dress the same, or don't dress at all-nudists!) as well as some pros who share research and the history of modern marriage. I really liked the long married couple and the old widow, but was also interested in the "arranged marriage" couple.

The most compelling element of the film is the intimate look we get into the directors own marriage. I think the film evolved into something much different than her original intention. The simple fact she started by sharing her giddy newlywed status and ended in a very different place without turning angry or lecturing is a real credit to Kate Schermerhorn's ability to make a worthy documentary. She is humorous and self effacing and makes it fun to watch. For me it was a must see!