Micki + Maude 1984
Directed by
Blake Edwards
Made by
Columbia Pictures
Plot Summary
Rob Salinger, portrayed by Dudley Moore, is a beleaguered television reporter who finds himself caught up in a tumultuous mix of love, deception, and the complexities of parenthood. In a seemingly stable marriage to Micki, played by Ann Reinking, a determined lawyer with aspirations for a judgeship, Rob is eager to embrace fatherhood. However, Micki’s hesitations are rooted in a previous miscarriage and her relentless pursuit of her career goals. Their conflicting desires regarding starting a family plunge Rob into an unexpected romantic entanglement with Maude Guillory, a gifted young cellist, brought to life by Amy Irving, whom he meets during a work assignment.
As Rob and Maude’s relationship flourishes, he grapples with the ethical dilemmas of concealing his affair from Micki. Matters become even more complicated when Maude announces that she is pregnant, leading them to consider a marriage together. Just as Rob is on the brink of confessing his infidelity and seeking a divorce from Micki, an unexpected twist occurs: she, too, is expecting a child. Initially considering terminating her pregnancy to safeguard her career, Micki ultimately decides she wants to nurture a family with Rob.
In a tangled web of lies, Rob leads a precarious double life, balancing his daytime responsibilities as a husband to Micki while nurturing a relationship with Maude at night. With assistance from his boss and close confidant Leo, portrayed by Richard Mulligan, Rob manages to keep his secret under wraps until fate intervenes dramatically—both women go into labor at the same hospital at the same time.
As the story unfolds, an unlikely bond forms between the two women. However, their eventual confrontation with Rob’s deceit leads them to make the painful decision to exclude him from their lives and those of their children. Left in despair, Rob watches from a distance as they forge new lives, ultimately discovering a path toward reconciliation with both Micki and Maude.
The film culminates in a heartwarming finale, showcasing the women thriving in their professional lives: Micki now commands respect as a presiding judge in the courtroom, while Maude graces the stage with a symphony orchestra. The scene shifts to an older Rob, surrounded by his eight children—two from each family he adores—joyfully playing together in a sun-drenched park, a visual testament to the intertwined lives he cherishes.
Timeline
The Stable Marriage
Rob Salinger is married to Micki, a determined lawyer with dreams of becoming a judge. Their life together seems stable, but underlying tensions arise due to their differing desires about starting a family.
Micki's Hesitations
Micki's reluctance to have children is heavily influenced by her past miscarriage and her ambitious career goals. This leads to frustration for Rob, who is eager to embrace parenthood.
Meeting Maude
During a work assignment, Rob meets Maude Guillory, a talented young cellist. As they spend time together, a romantic connection starts to blossom, igniting a complicated affair.
Rob's Ethical Dilemma
As Rob and Maude's relationship deepens, he struggles with the moral implications of lying to Micki. This deception weighs heavily on him, adding to the emotional turmoil of his double life.
Maude's Pregnancy Announcement
Maude reveals that she is pregnant, which complicates their already tangled relationship. The news prompts them to contemplate the possibility of getting married and starting a family.
Micki's Unexpected News
Just as Rob prepares to confess his infidelity to Micki and seek a divorce, he learns that Micki is also expecting a child. This revelation drastically shifts the dynamics of their relationship.
Micki's Tough Decision
Initially, Micki considers terminating her pregnancy to focus on her career. However, she ultimately decides that she wants to raise a family with Rob, complicating their situation further.
Living a Double Life
Rob juggles his responsibilities as Micki's husband and his nighttime commitments with Maude. This precarious balancing act begins to unravel as stress mounts and secrets threaten to expose themselves.
Fate Intervenes
In a dramatic twist, both Micki and Maude go into labor simultaneously at the same hospital. This turns Rob's world upside down, as he is forced to confront the reality of his actions.
Women Unite
In the hospital, an unexpected bond forms between Micki and Maude as they navigate their shared experience of motherhood. Both women begin to see the reality of Rob's deceit.
Confrontation and Exclusion
The confrontation between Micki, Maude, and Rob leads the two women to make a painful decision to exclude him from their lives. Each woman embraces her new role as a mother, leaving Rob in turmoil.
Rob's Heartbreak
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Rob watches from afar as Micki and Maude build their lives independently with their children. He feels lost and regrets his decisions.
Path to Reconciliation
Over time, Rob begins to find a path towards reconciliation with both women. He learns to accept their choices and make peace with his past mistakes.
Micki's Success
Years later, Micki thrives in her career as a respected presiding judge. She represents empowerment and dedication, having successfully balanced her personal and professional lives.
A Joyful Reunion
In the film's heartwarming finale, an older Rob enjoys time in a park with his eight children from both families. They play together joyously, representing the intertwined lives he cherishes.
Characters
Rob Salinger (Dudley Moore)
Rob is a conflicted television reporter, caught between the love for his wife Micki and his affair with Maude. He experiences deep emotional turmoil as he navigates the complexities of fidelity, parenthood, and professional life. His character evolves as he grapples with the consequences of his actions and seeks reconciliation.
Micki (Ann Reinking)
Micki is a determined lawyer aspiring for a judgeship, whose initial hesitations about motherhood stem from a painful past. As her character develops, she confronts her fears and ambitions, ultimately finding strength in motherhood. Her journey highlights the struggles of women balancing career and family expectations.
Maude Guillory (Amy Irving)
Maude is a talented young cellist who enters Rob's life, igniting a passionate romance that complicates her own aspirations. Her character embodies creativity and youthful dreams, while her unexpected pregnancy provokes deep reflection and growth as she navigates the challenges of love and impending motherhood.
Leo (Richard Mulligan)
Leo serves as Rob's supportive boss and confidant, offering guidance in times of personal crisis. His character provides comic relief while also adding depth to the story's exploration of friendship and loyalty. Leo's role emphasizes the importance of having a reliable ally amid life's complexities.
Setting
Time period
The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues such as career ambitions, relationships, and parenthood. The character dynamics and social themes resonate with the challenges faced by many in balancing work and family life.
Location
Hospital, Courtroom, Park
The story features multiple locations, including a hospital where significant life events unfold, a courtroom where Micki practices law and eventually becomes a judge, and a sun-drenched park that serves as a backdrop for family gatherings. Each location plays a vital role in illustrating the characters' journeys and the evolution of their relationships.
Themes
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Love & Deception
Central to the narrative is the theme of love intertwined with deception. Rob's double life highlights the complexities of romantic relationships and the moral dilemmas one faces when pursuing personal happiness at the expense of others. This theme drives the emotional conflict as characters navigate their affection for one another amid betrayal.
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Parenthood
Parenthood emerges as a pivotal theme as Rob grapples with the desire to start a family amidst his entangled relationships. Both Micki and Maude confront their own fears and aspirations relating to motherhood, ultimately leading to profound decisions that shape their futures. The emotional weight of becoming parents informs their character arcs and choices throughout the film.
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Career vs. Family
The conflict between career aspirations and family life is a significant motif, particularly for Micki, who struggles to balance her ambitions as a lawyer with the prospect of motherhood. This theme illustrates the sacrifices and compromises that individuals often face in their pursuit of success while maintaining personal relationships.
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