Not all of the greatest love stories end happily—take Romeo & Juliet or Bonnie & Clyde. And there is nothing we love more than watching the drama of others' love lives unfold, especially when our monotonous days involve haphazardly scrolling through dating apps and seeing friends from afar.
Ingmar Bergman’s 1974 Scenes from a Marriage follows a couple on the precipice of separation. The Swedish mini-series which was cut to a theatrical length for wide release acts as a predecessor to Noah Baumbach’s 2019 Marriage Story. The Adam Driver & Scarlett Johanssen hit depicts a long-standing couple’s dissipating relationship and bicoastal split. Tension, turmoil, and deep-seated love is present in both relationships. In The Incredible Jessica James, a young newly single woman begins dating again but struggles with her new and past loves. The others show couples in question—and the factors driving them together or apart. Time to open your favorite wine, order Pad Thai, and dig into 5 dramas juicier than your own.
Scenes from a Marriage, 1974
Directed by: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Ingmar Bergman, Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson
Based on Ingmar Bergman’s own marriage to Liv Ullmann, the Swedish miniseries followed a middle-aged couple who while seeming to have it all are on the rocks. Johan (Josephson) admits to an affair and the relationship continues to crumble. As they pursue separation their ultimate bond makes it hard for them to split.
Where to watch: Amazon
The Anniversary Party, 2001
Directed by: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming, Phoebe Cates, Gwenyth Paltrow
At their anniversary party, Hollywood couple Joe (Cumming) and Sally (Leigh) are quickly confronted with questions that change the way they view their partnership. Amongst their neurotic and eccentric friends, the party’s games become serious. It is clear to the duo that things must change.
Where to watch: Amazon, Vudu
Everyone Else, 2010
Directed by: Maren Ade
Starring: Lars Eiginger, Birgit Minichmayr, Hans-Jochen Wagner
The German film shows young couple Chris (Eiginger) and Birgit (Minichmayr) continue to find the issues in their romance—heightened on a family vacation in Sardinia, things begin to pull apart. They meet a confident couple who they befriend, the pairs pristine exterior causes even more ripples in their relationship as Birgit sleeps with one of their new friends.
Where to watch: Amazon
The Incredible Jessica James, 2017
Directed by: Jim Strouse
Starring: Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, LaKeith Stanfield
Jessica (Williams), having just been dumped, is set up on a blind date with newly divorced Boone (O'Dowd). While the date starts off awkwardly, the pair finds common ground bonding over their past relationships. After a number of dates, they fall for one another even though Boone's relationship with his wife is more complicated than he initially let on.
Where to watch: Netflix
Marriage Story, 2019
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern
Successful director Charlie continues to choose fame over the emotions and lives of those around him—including his wife of nearly a decade, an actress who often puts her career and reputation on hold for Charlie’s. When an opportunity arises in LA, Nicole (Johansson) leaves, taking their young son with her. Their bicoastal split turns messy and the partners must decide how to navigate through their crumbling marriage.
Where to watch: Netflix
