The Wife is a movie matched to finally win Glenn Close her Oscar after six nominations, in spite of the Academy’s habit to rarely reward a real performance against any trend of the moment. It seems that in this role, Close did what he does best, with mimics (or the lack of them) and attitude, her character delivers what has to be delivered. I have not read Meg Wolitzer’s novel, but I’m sure it doesn’t matter now.
Christian Slater, Glenn Close, and Jonathan Pryce in The Wife
[source of all pictures: imdb.com]
Plot
Joe and Joan Castleman are a family of erudite. Joe is a writer, he sports a beard and exhibits a huge ego, accompanied by an exaggerated libido. They are in their late sixties or early seventies. Joan, the wife, is reserved and assumes a managerial role in the family. They have two children, a girl who is terminally pregnant and an estranged boy, who also tries to be a writer. It’s nice. It’s late at night, Joe and Joan are in bed and the famous novelist desires a quickie, which the tolerating wife accepts with little but decent fuss.
Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce in The Wife
The phone rings and we enter a highly fictionalized space. The caller is the Nobel for Literature Committee’s Secretary (who in real life is a woman) announcing with almost the utmost respect (the timeline also doesn’t matter here) that famous Joe got the Nobel for Literature.
Next day it’s party time but in a sort of scholarly fashion. The editors, the agents, family, and friends, all gather to celebrate the upcoming trip to Stockholm. Maybe you already know, the Prize is not only a medal, but it’s close around a million dollar/Euro cash equivalent. Not bad at all for such an inconsistent guy like Joe. I say that without giving spoilers, anyone can see what a fruit we have in Joe, in the first ten minutes.
Glenn Close and Max Irons in The Wife
Like any efficient assistant, Joan thinks of everything: where his glasses are, when it’s time to take his pills (she set his wristwatch’s alarm for that), what he should eat for lunch, what to not drink…
We soon find out that Castleman was a university professor and Joan was his student. He was married with children (or just a kid, doesn’t matter), and eventually divorced for a new start near the brilliant but unsure young writer Joan.
Jonathan Pryce in The Wife
In the plane to Sweden’s capital, they are approached by Nathaniel Bone, a guy who wants to be close to the events in Joe Castleman’s life. From now on, you are on your own, you have to watch the movie or read the book.
The Wife – Cast
Glenn Close is Joan Castleman. Jonathan Pryce is Joe Castleman. Christian Slater is Nathaniel Bone, a writer, and biographer. Max Irons is David Castleman, the aspiring novelist son. Annie Starke is young Joan. Harry Lloyd is the young professor Joe, superbly showing the future famous novelist’s cadence and mannerisms.
The Wife 2017 – Poster
This subtle movie was directed by Björn Runge, written by Jane Anderson, based on “The Wife”, a novel by Meg Wolitzer.
Trailer
Talks and Facts
The Wife is not a Best Picture nominee, its only accomplishment is a Best Actress nomination for Close. We are also blessed with Once Upon a Time in America‘s own Elizabeth McGovern in a significant cameo. All actors are impeccable.
Annie Starke, the young Joan, is Glenn Close’s real-life daughter. She confers real authenticity to the mature Joan, the wife, as it comes.
Annie Starke in The Wife
The Permanent Secretary on Nobel for Literature Committee, Sara Danius, was forced to resign after a big scandal. The Nobel for Literature was not awarded in 2018, and the future is insecure if they don’t change “tradition”. Membership in the 18-member committee, who select the recipients, is technically for life. Members are not allowed to leave, although they might refuse to participate. For members who do not participate their board seat is left vacant until they die. Twelve active members are required for a quorum. At the moment, there are only ten active members in the committee.
Here, I can’t state that Olivia Colman‘s act as a freaky lesbian moody Queen Anne in The Favourite is less than prize worthy, but if Close’s performance passes again just with a nomination’s nod, it’ll be a real shame. Glenn Close is one of the best actresses of her generation. If her role along John Malkovich in Dangerous Liaisons will remain the most significant, this one in The Wife is obviously her crown.
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