Married To It MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -2 1/2

Three New York couples form an unlikely alliance while serving on a parents committee at a local school. John and Iris Morden (Beau Bridges and Stockyard Channing) are throwbacks from the 60's who still believe in social causes and barely eke out a living. On the other hand, Leo and Claire Rothenberg (Ron Silver and Cybill Shepherd) belong to the rich elite of New York, complete with fast cars and fabulous apartments. Yuppie newlyweds Chuck and Nina Bishop (Robert Sean Leonard and Mary Stuart Masterson) round out the group with Chuck as a successful investment banker. The movie centers on the growing relationship among these couples and the support they give each other through difficult times. When their respective marriages all seem to be falling apart, they lend each other moral support. The positive idea that marriage is worth sacrifice permeates MARRIED TO IT, but the flimsy character development and lackluster performances cannot save it. Shepherd tries hard to inject some energy into the predictable plot, but only its corniness makes it funny.

MARRIED TO IT fits in well with the new type of "relationship" movie that Hollywood seems to enjoy lately films like GRAND CANYON or USED PEOPLE. Its emphasis on the possibility of happiness within marriage is commendable and even a little surprising. Unfortunately, the movie is sabotaged by the usual Hollywood add-ons including many sexual references by the peppery character Claire played by Cybill Shepherd. One scene of comical intercourse takes place between the Mordens, but no nudity is shown other than his bare back. Alcohol drinking is treated as an appropriate way to "loosen up" and maintain friendships. A particularly offensive scene features the Rothenberg's thirteen-year old daughter drunk. To add the necessary sense of modern "reality," the f- and s-words appear many times, along with many regular profanities. MARRIED TO IT is one movie you can live without.

Preview Reviewer: Greg Wilson
Distributor: Orion Pictures Corp., 1325 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019