Take This Waltz Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman leaves her nice husband because a hot rickshaw driver tells her he can love her better, only to realize that long-term relationships eventually lead to cooking chicken and urinating in pools with hot strangers.

🍿 Take This Waltz: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Encounters and Growing Attraction

Margot, a freelance writer, meets Daniel during a work trip to Nova Scotia. They share a connection, and after finding out they live across the street from each other back in Toronto, an attraction begins to brew. Margot is married to Lou, a cookbook author focused on chicken recipes, and their marriage, though comfortable, lacks a certain spark. The film explores Margot’s internal conflict as she grapples with her attraction to Daniel while still loving her husband. Daniel’s allure lies in the passion and attention he gives her, something she feels is missing with Lou. Their interactions intensify, leading to emotional tension and a growing sense of unease within Margot’s marriage.

The Affair and Its Consequences

Despite the growing tension, Margot remains faithful for a while, but eventually decides to end her marriage with Lou, leading to a passionate affair with Daniel. A montage depicts their intense physical relationship. However, the initial excitement fades as Margot realizes that even this new relationship settles into a routine, mirroring aspects of her previous marriage. This realization brings a sense of disillusionment as Margot confronts the cyclical nature of relationships and the elusive search for lasting happiness.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Margot (Michelle Williams): A restless and somewhat immature married woman who finds herself drawn to a new romantic interest.
• Lou (Seth Rogen): Margot’s loving but complacent husband, focused on his cookbook and seemingly unaware of his wife’s growing dissatisfaction.
• Daniel (Luke Kirby): The handsome artist and rickshaw driver who lives across the street and becomes the object of Margot’s fascination.
• Geraldine (Sarah Silverman): Lou’s sister and Margot’s friend, a recovering alcoholic who offers blunt and sometimes harsh advice.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Margot: “I’m afraid of being afraid.” – Margot expresses her underlying anxiety about life and relationships during a flight conversation with Daniel.
• Geraldine: “Life has a gap in it. It just does. You don’t go crazy trying to fill it like some lunatic.” – Geraldine gives Margot advice about accepting imperfections and not seeking constant fulfillment.
• Daniel: “Do you know how much courage it takes to seduce you?” – Daniel is flirting and expressing his deep attraction to Margot.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8.2 million
• Domestic Gross: $1,239,692
• Worldwide Gross: $4,965,950

💥 Take This Waltz Reviews

Personal Review

I was really drawn into Margot’s internal struggle. Michelle Williams completely nails that feeling of being stuck between comfort and desire. It’s a movie that really makes you think about what you want versus what you think you *should* want. The Scrambler scene with ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ is iconic – it perfectly captures that giddy, disorienting feeling of new infatuation.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Viewers interested in relationship dramas”
  • “Admirers of Michelle Williams’ performances”
  • “Audiences who appreciate thought-provoking storylines”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Explicit sexual content”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Adult themes including infidelity”
  • “Brief depiction of alcohol abuse”

Professional Reviews

• MovieMuseReviews.com: “”Take This Waltz” avoids melodrama, focusing on the internal conflict of Margot, who loves her husband but is drawn to her neighbor. Michelle Williams shines in portraying Margot’s humanity, while Sarah Polley’s direction challenges conventional depictions of love and fidelity, making for a bold and perceptive film despite its uneventful pace.
• N/A: “Sarah Polley’s film lacks realism and depth. The characters feel false, and the dialogue is clunky and pretentious. Michelle Williams is commendable, but the storyline fails to engage on any level. The explicit scenes feel out of place and fail to enhance the narrative.
• N/A: “The actors are wonderful in capturing the nuances of their characters. Sarah Polley does it again. Captures the everyday life and depicts their special relationship through the details of their special ways of communicating. It is not until the complexities of struggle between her love and her attraction to her neighbour that you start to feel her personal struggle.

Audience Reactions

Sarah Silverman’s performance as a recovering alcoholic was surprisingly moving and grounded the film in reality.: Viewers appreciated the film’s honest portrayal of marital dissatisfaction and the complexities of human relationships.

People enjoyed the film’s visual style, the use of vibrant colors to express Margot’s emotions, and how it portrays Toronto’s character.: Appreciated the film’s beautiful cinematography and Sarah Polley’s direction for creating an engaging atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: A thought-provoking, beautifully shot film with strong performances, but some viewers find it slow-paced, pretentious, and ultimately unsatisfying.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Writer and Director Sarah Polley chose to use the song “Video Killed the Radio Star” in key scenes because it was her brother’s favorite song.”
• “Sarah Polley, known for her acting career, explored themes of infidelity and marital dissatisfaction with ‘Take This Waltz,’ showcasing her directorial talent in a deeply personal film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Take This Waltz?

Take This Waltz is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, and through other digital retailers where you can rent or purchase the movie. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Take This Waltz, you might like these similar films:

• Blue Valentine (2010): Both films explore the complexities and raw emotions within a marriage, portraying the disillusionment and struggles faced by the characters.
• Lost in Translation (2003): Explores themes of loneliness, connection, and finding unexpected intimacy, reflecting on the search for meaning in relationships.
• Closer (2004): Deals with complex relationships, infidelity, and the messy realities of love and desire, delving into the darker aspects of human connection.
• Last Night (2010): Features a similar exploration of infidelity, temptation, and the choices people make within their relationships over the course of one night.

🛒 Take This Waltz Related Products

• Leonard Cohen – Various Positions (Vinyl): An original vinyl record of Leonard Cohen’s album, including the iconic ‘Take This Waltz’. This collector’s item is a must-have for fans of the film and the legendary artist.
• Toronto Travel Guide: A comprehensive travel guide to Toronto, Canada. Explore the film’s setting and discover Little Portugal, Centre Island, and all the locations shown in the movie, plan your trip with detailed maps.
• The Essential Michelle Williams Collection (DVD): A box set of Michelle Williams’s most acclaimed films, including ‘Take This Waltz’. Relive her powerful performance and dive deeper into her filmography.
• The Rickshaw Driver – Board Game: Inspired by the movie’s iconic character, you’re in Toronto, competing to get rich as a rickshaw driver. With mini-figures, real-time competition, and the race to a final sale that could ruin it all, it’s a race to the top to become the ultimate Rickshaw Driver!

🎧 Soundtrack

Take This Waltz features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Video Killed the Radio Star” – performed by The Buggles
• “Take This Waltz” – performed by Leonard Cohen
• “Green Mountain State” – performed by Corinna Rose & The Rusty Horse Band

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Seth Rogan, Sarah Silverman, Sarah Polley & Luke Kirby – TAKE THIS WALTZ (TIFF 2011)

Ever wondered what the ‘Take This Waltz’ press conference was like? This video has all the highlights, including some seriously funny moments with the cast, and a blooper from Sarah Silverman that’s pure gold! It’s cool to see them interacting naturally, definitely worth a watch!

✨ Rate