Married life

IN this post-Mamma Mia world, it was always going to be tough watching Pierce Brosnan return to more, um, conventional film making.

Because truth is you still keep expecting the guy to start bellowing S.O.S. like a harpooned walrus at any moment.

Pierce might be the star turn in this 1940s-set drama, but he’s not the lead. That’s Chris Cooper, who plays a man desperate to end his marriage so he can settle down with his mistress (Rachel McAdams, who looks a bit like a fit version of Lily Allen).

But he wants to save his wife (Patricia Clarkson) the pain and humiliation of a divorce . . . so decides to bump her off instead.

Chris is totally unaware that his wife wants a split too—she’s also got a bit of fluff on the go—but Pierce decides to keep him in the dark because HE’S got his eye on Chris's mistress.

This is a melodrama along the lines of Mad Men, basically. It’s never quite as strong as that TV series about 60s ad men in New York but it’s worth a look for anyone who’s charmed by dapper suits and swing bands.

And the web of deceit created by a happy marriage falling to bits is nicely observed.

Whatever happened to their love? They wish they understood.

It used to be so nice, it used to be so good. SO WHEN YOU’RE NEAR ME, DARLING CAN’T YOU HEAR ME, S.O.S . . . ahem, sorry.

OUT FRIDAY