A new chapter in storytelling: Ed Burns’ ‘Millers in Marriage’
In the vibrant landscape of the nineties, the silver screen was awash with tales of Gen-Xers navigating the tumultuous waters of youth. Among the storytellers of that era was Ed Burns, the creative force behind films like The Brothers McMullen, She’s the One, and No Looking Back. Fast forward three decades, and Burns is once again drawing from the well of life experiences for his 14th film, Millers in Marriage. This time, the narrative centers on three siblings grappling with the complexities of life and love, not as angst-ridden twenty-somethings, but as adults on the brink of middle age.
A fresh perspective on coming-of-age
Reflecting on his journey, Burns shares, “The coming-of-age stories we explored in our twenties and thirties were deeply character-driven, focusing on relationships and careers. Now, in my mid-fifties, I see this period as another pivotal moment of growth.” This sentiment is at the heart of Millers in Marriage, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In the film, Burns portrays an artist who embarks on a romance with a former colleague of his ex-wife, played by Morena Baccarin. The cast also includes Juliana Margulies as his sister, an author whose success overshadows her husband’s achievements, and Gretchen Mol as another sister, a former singer-songwriter dealing with a domineering, alcoholic partner.
Art imitating life
While Burns insists that he rarely draws heavily from his own life for inspiration, he admits that some of the existential questions his characters face resonate deeply with him. “I was excited to explore the ‘tininess’ of real life,” he recalls. “Do you have anything left to say? Will anyone care? Am I still relevant? Is it time for a new start, or are you just riding it out?”
For a filmmaker who has often had to beg, borrow, and steal to bring his visions to life, one question loomed larger than the others: “Is there somebody out there who cares enough to finance the film?” Reuniting with his longtime producing partner, Aaron Lubin, Burns approached Millers in Marriage with the same model that has brought them success since Sidewalks of New York.
The journey of a filmmaker
“Our goal was to make modestly budgeted, character-driven movies and try to do one every two to three years,” Burns explains. “I’m coming up on the 30-year anniversary of The Brothers McMullen, and I’m still getting to do this. Premiering this film with such a talented cast at a major venue like the Toronto Film Festival feels like a huge success.”
Burns attributes this success to both professional resourcefulness and creative rigor. “I don’t have two films that have been financed or distributed the same way,” he notes. “But around 2010, I realized I needed to rededicate myself to the principles that made my earlier films successful.”
A disciplined approach
With Lubin as a taskmaster, Burns found a backstop that kept him focused. “Aaron asks the tough questions, and that’s been enormously helpful,” he says. This disciplined approach has allowed Burns to create characters in Millers in Marriage that feel like a spiritual follow-up to the stories he told early in his career.
Looking ahead, Burns reveals that his next project will take this approach more literally. “I just finished the script for a sequel to The Brothers McMullen,” he shares. Rather than retracing former glories, Burns believes that having a past filled with both successes and failures has enabled him to move forward with greater confidence.
“I think I’ve gotten better as a writer and filmmaker, which I believe comes with experience,” he reflects.
Explore more
For those eager to dive deeper into Burns’ latest work, check out the trailer for Millers in Marriage here. This film promises to be a poignant exploration of adulthood, filled with the nuanced storytelling that has become Burns’ hallmark.
As we await the release of Millers in Marriage, it’s clear that Ed Burns continues to evolve as a filmmaker, bringing fresh perspectives to the timeless themes of life, love, and personal growth.