Captivating movie !

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

I expected to enjoy this film because of the lead actors and the overall concept. However, it turned out to be a disappointment. They all seemed so emotionally immature and all seemed to have such superficial relationships. The word "lover" did not really apply to any of them. The son had the most depth of feeling and the poor guy was obviously unloved too and trying to find something more with his girlfriend. I felt sorry for every single person in this film. They all seemed pathetic. I'm not sure if that's what the writer meant to convey but I certainly did not enjoy this film. I think that none of these people knows what love is or how to give love or be loving. They're all just going through the motions and pretending they feel things they don't seem to feel. I am so grateful that I have such a different experience of love and know what it is....

It is one of those movies that was surprisingly good. Very little dialogue, yet Winger and Letts manage to say a lot with just their expressions. The chemistry of these two actors is the glue that holds this movie. It is not flashy, it is no Officer and gentlemen, however, what it is a subtle character study of two damaged characters worn down by the constitution of marriage. Aiden Gillen is pretty much playing Little finger here. The last act is pretty brilliant when we are introduced tot he couple's son. Also, it has one of those smart endings that will make people think and debate. I hope WInger and Letts at least get a golden globe nod if they don't get and Oscar nod.

The critics loved this movie, and the premise seemed funny...a married couple who are both cheating on each other, rekindle their romance, and "cheat" on their lovers! Unfortunately, none of the promise of this plot was ever realized. The first half hour is excruciatingly slow, with hardly anything at all happening. Towards the end, when their adult child and his girlfriend come to visit them, it's not bad. But then everything falls apart, and the cheating husband gets on the house piano, and sings a song about love. Really. Tracy Letts, who I used to like in Homeland, is way out of his league in this movie. It's interesting to see Debra Winger after all these years, but she does nothing to make this role "her own." Dozens of actresses her age could have played that part, and we wouldn't have seen any difference. All in all, you'd be wise to skip this one. I sure wish I did.

A middle age couple are in the throes of an affair. Both of them.The subtleties of a middle age relationship will be wasted on the young. Having read the negative reviews here, there's no doubting the reviewer's age. They've completely missed the point. That's fine. It's not for them. I may have felt the same way, once.For everyone else, this is subtle, poignant, witty, truthful and very funny. It takes you to places you expect, in a natural but charming way and then surprises you. It's a very delicate balance, pulled off beautifully by writer and director. And what a superb cast. All four of the main parts are played to perfection. These are no hacks. A top notch class act. The Lovers is a wonderfully fresh film for a mature audience. About time.