Take This Waltz

Take This Waltz is a beautifully and brilliantly crafted film from 2011 that brings together the talents of a phenomenal cast, including Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, and Sarah Silverman. This movie is directed and written by Oscar-nominated Sarah Polley. It is her second feature on the director's chair after the critically acclaimed film "Away From Her."

The story revolves around Margot, portrayed by Michelle Williams, who is a Toronto-based writer. She leads a comfortable yet unexciting married life with Lou, played by Seth Rogen. Lou is a cookbook writer and is entirely devoted to his cooking, especially for preparing chicken recipes, which has ultimately become a symbol of his love and nurturing towards Margot. Their marriage is predictably simple, filled with cute 'baby talks' and mild banter. However, beneath this facade of this apparent lightheartedness, there's an undercurrent of disconnection and dissatisfaction. This brings us to the main theme of the movie, which deals with the universal but complex human emotion, dissatisfaction, and the constant yearning for something more; that constant gaze onto the other side with the hope of “the grass is always greener there.”

Margot’s life takes a turn when she encounters an alluring artist named Daniel, characterized by actor Luke Kirby, during a business trip. A chance meeting during a flight ride soon turns into an emotional whirlwind when Margot discovers that Daniel is her neighbor. They share an incredible bond over shared interests and long walks in the scorching summer of Toronto. Margot finds herself in a dilemma, torn between her loving husband and this new exciting possibility, Daniel.

Then, we have Geraldine, played by Sarah Silverman, Lou's alcoholic sister, who contrasts Margot's life. She is battling her addiction and trying to hold her life together, providing a grounded reality check to the flitting desires of Margot.

Michelle Williams paints Margot with layers of vulnerability and complexity as a woman, gravitating towards the unknown, something beautiful yet terrifying. She successfully delivers the delicacy of Margot’s emotional journey, her child-like spontaneity that is both endearing and messy. Seth Rogen, mostly known for his comedic roles, takes a different journey here as a loving husband Lou, who is comfortably ensconced in his life of routine and is unable to perceive Margot’s internal struggle. He does a commendable job in providing a compassionate picture of Lou.

Sarah Polley has beautifully captured the delicacy and complexity of human relationships through this film. This is a movie about long-term relationships, about the 'in-between' moments of life when the initial magic fades away leaving a gaping void of monotony. However, it never fails to highlight that those moments too, are part of loving and living. The film derives its name from Leonard Cohen’s song, "Take This Waltz," that echo the 'imperfect' aspects of human love and relationship. The waltz is a symbolic representation of the cyclical nature of love and life.

Cinematographically, the vibrant hues of Toronto's summer, the captivating candid shots of the city, and the now-iconic dazzlingly creative shot sequences contribute to the overall charm of the movie. The film's pacing is done deliberately; it takes its own sweet time to grow on you, allowing the audience to get involved with the characters and their lives.

Overall, Take This Waltz is a charmingly poignant film, filled with an amalgamation of human emotions – joy, sadness, intimacy, dissatisfaction, and self-realization. It underlines the romanticism of being in love, the comfort of a stable relationship, and the thrill of exploration and the unknown. The film's subtly impactful narrative and profound performances make it a unique cinematic experience dealing with love and the complexities of long-term relationships.