Study of a fractured marriage

A Married Couple (Canada, 1969)
Director: Allan King

At one look, this film looks like a tutorial presentation in a class of psychology. It is shot like a documentary show. Apparently, the filming was done in the household of Billy and Antoinette Edwards who were undergoing a rough patch in their one and half years of marriage. All in all they had been a couple for more than 8 years.
This movie may not appeal to those who are looking at the silver screen as an outlet to release for their day to day woes as it is quite cerebral.
Allan King, a sort of a rebel filmmaker from Canada usually makes quirky non stereotypical flicks, even rubbing the censors on the wrong side.
It narrates the day to day life of ad-man Billy (40) and his home-maker wife Antoinette (10 years his junior). The camera moves into their living room and bedroom recording all their intimate moments as well as their tiffs. This movie must be a precursor to today's reality TV. They have a 1year old son and a dog.
The crisis in the relationship must have stemmed from the fact that Antoinette, a young girl when she met Billy, was mesmerized with his knowledge and smartness. As she grew older, he became not good enough. She could think for herself. Billy, comfortable with the role of the head of the family, bringing home the bacon and garnering respect from wife, cannot stomach his wife as equal. Hence, the squabbles over trivial matters arose.

Billy tries to mend the relationship through professional help but the lack of sexual prowess on his part also fails to help to improve the situation.
They were almost at a stage of a trial separation but the film ends with the couple reconciling.
Unfortunately, in real life, 3 years after the release of the film, they were divorced. Antoinette went to remarry and stayed married for a very long time.

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