Mr. & Mrs. Smith
2005 · Directed by Doug Liman
Original language: English
- action
- comedy
- drama
- thriller
The story
A husband and wife struggle to keep their marriage alive until they realize they are both secretly working as assassins. Now, their respective assignments require them to kill each other.
What it’s like
Bright, sun-warmed suburban interiors give way to glossy, saturated action set-pieces, so the film alternates between domestic beige and high-gloss Hollywood spectacle. Director Doug Liman uses handheld, kinetic camera work in the gunfights and chases, with hard cuts and a crisp digital finish, while the quieter scenes of a stalled marriage sit in flat, even light and wide, comfortable two-shots. The score is brassy and playful, with jazzy swing and punchy percussion underlining the shootouts and dry, banter-led silences in the kitchen. Its vibe is glossy, wry and light-hearted, a crowd-pleasing screwball thriller with a bickering-couple heart. Pacing is brisk, and the emotional arc follows two strangers-in-a-marriage slowly rediscovering each other through rivalry and mutual respect. Violence is frequent and stylised: gunfire, explosions, and bloodless-leaning but regular fight scenes, plus some sexual innuendo and suggestive scenes, with no gore or real cruelty. It suits a Friday night with friends or a playful date night, and is for viewers who want an action comedy with romantic spark.
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