The Wife

The phrase, "Behind every great man there's a great women," most likely came from the early 20th century feminist movement, designed to shift focus to the idea that while women have been traditionally considered a help-mate to their bread-wining husbands, they have quiet but significant influence on his success.

I never liked that phrase. Sure, I get that it draws attention to the woman in the relationship who, otherwise, may go unnoticed in the periphery. But there's something that feels patronizing about the slogan, and that irks me. 

Growing up, I never knew women -- outside of public school teachers -- who worked outside the home. The women-folk in the young Film Geek's family worked hard, every day, to care for kids and manage the complexities of a home and family. But the culture of that place and time prevented many women from considering the pursuit of a career. And, I think, until very recently that paradigm has been the standard. 

(I wonder how many potentially great female artists, scientists, business leaders, and politicians have missed fulfilling that potential simply because of how society views a woman's role.)

The Wife explores the life of a couple who've lived a lifetime inside this paradigm. We see the results of sexism on a professional career, and how it affects the psychological and emotional stability of a couple.  

Glenn Close received a well-deserved Academy Award nomination in the title role. Her performance as Joan Archer is complex and nuanced, and it's a joy to watch as she finds confidence to step out of the shadow of her husband. Jonathan Pryce is brilliant as Joseph Castleman. He plays him as self-involved but likeable, which allows the audience to feel compassion for him even as we recognize his propensity to be a selfish asshole. And Annie Stark -- the real-life daughter of Glenn Close -- is remarkable as a young Joan Archer. 

Stark's a real find, and I predict this film will catapult her into more leading and starring roles.  

Sometime after watching the movie, the lyrics from the Eurythmics "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves" kept singing in my head. I think those lyrics form a better slogan than does the aforementioned feminism-era phrase about equality between the sexes:

Now there was a time when they used to say
That behind every - great man.
There had to be a - great woman.
But in these times of change you know
That it's no longer true.
So we're comin' out of the kitchen
'Cause there's somethin' we forgot to say to you (we say)

Sisters are doin' it for themselves.
Standin' on their own two feet.
And ringin' on their own bells.
Sisters are doin' it for themselves.