The Smiths Rock

Rating: 9/10 (14 June 2005)

The term "chemistry" is often used to describe that ethereal quality in movies, and rarely is it used accurately or precisely. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie absolutely have "it". Consequently, Director Doug Liman's "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" is one of the most enjoyable movies in recent memory. When Pitt and Jolie are on screen, they could be in an elevator baring automatic weapons, not saying a word (which actually happens), and be simply captivating. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are the screen's most stunning couple. Granted they are both simply beautiful, and charismatic presences. Though when they are on the screen together it is pure chemistry. Acknowledge Liman for keeping the romance in the foreground, in a well orchestrated action movie-- so to speak. This is no small accomplishment.
Simon Kinberg wrote the screenplay for "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" 5 years ago as his Master's Thesis. I had read that his screenplay evolved through numerous rewrites. Kinberg's story has a novel premise. John (Pitt) and Jane (Jolie) Smith have been married for 5 or 6 years (depending on whose account), and their marriage has gone stagnant. John is a successful contractor. Jane is the CEO of an Internet company. They live in a comfortable home in an up scale neighborhood. We are introduced to the Smiths in their marriage counseling session, where John asks for clarification in rating their sex life-- he wants to know if 10 or 1 represents the highest. This is an example of the wonderful touches Kinberg provides. Turns out that John and Jane are expert professional assassins working for rival companies-- unbeknown-st to each other. The story seems to imply that both rival companies are contracted to "The Company", though this is inherently vague. Pretty much it seems that John and Jane's targets are "bad guys". When an FBI hostage, Adam Brody (Benjamin Diaz), is independently identified as their next job, their secrets are invariably revealed. Note this comes as no surprise, being this is the what the movie is advertised as. Predictably John and Jane become each other's next job. Now the fun really begins.
Pitt and Jolie are really deft and skilled performers. They play their roles straight-- there is no winking at the camera. This is the real charm of "Mr. & Mrs. Smith". You have smart and charming actors playing smart and charming characters in a preposterous situation. The sense of humor derives from the situations. Pitt as John is so at ease and natural, and proves he has a talent for comedy, because he is not trying to be funny. Pitt also gives John an underlying strength. Jolie as Jane has this amazing cool and composure that is completely charming. Jolie is also brilliant at providing Jane a hint of vulnerability. Pitt and Jolie can also crank up the intensity on a dime. One can tell that both are having fun making "Mr. & Mrs. Smith". There is a hilarious and vicious fight scene where both are attempting to kill each other. In the cut away scene John is soccer kicking Jane, until she strategically kicks him. Liman then expertly tailors this to a character arc between John and Jane. Pitt and Jolie are amazing in this narrative and character shift. Ultimately, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" is about the power of love and the value of relationships. This sets a touching carve-out in what is an exquisitely orchestrated action thriller. The movie also never takes itself seriously-- very smart.
The Smiths may have gotten married as the perfect cover. Recalling how both met, their smoldering affair, and their present state of marriage, John and Jane must choose whether it is worth fighting for. There is some twisted humor in depicting a marriage where both partners are literally out to kill each other. Liman and Kinberg set up the joke and know that there is catharsis in the resolution. The bottom line is that love and honor are always worth fighting for. Always. So do Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are awesome in Doug Liman's very fun and captivating "Mr. & Mrs. Smith". I truly would love see "Mr. & Mrs. Smith II". Really.