This film is based on a 1957 novel by Patricia Highsmith and was originally to be released in 2020, but was delayed due to Covid. They could have postponed it permanently. Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas play a married couple with an unusual arrangement. Even though they profess their love, he allows her to freely engage with other men to assure their marriage. Meanwhile, he suffers quietly…or does he? This is the first film directed by Adrian Lyne in 20 years and it attempts to revive his erotic thriller rep. Unfortunately, the sex scenes are brief and not especially sexy. Affleck plays one note: sullen. Throughout all of this, the overwhelming flaw is the logic. As the plot unfolds (with no surprises) things get progressively unrealistic to the point of absurdity (maybe it has something to do with its 50s roots). Talented writer as Tracy Letts plays a role and it’s surprising, considering the absurdity of this screenplay. The only thing that makes the film even mildly enjoyable is the young daughter, played with sweet charm by Grace Jenkins. 
(1.5 / 5)
