Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) is a slick, stylish action-comedy-romance directed by Doug Liman and starring two of the biggest stars of the time—Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. It’s a film that cleverly blends explosive action with domestic drama, anchored by sizzling chemistry and witty dialogue.

Detailed Summary

The Smiths’ Mundane Marriage

John and Jane Smith are a married couple living in the suburbs, seemingly bored with their domestic life. Their interactions are awkward and devoid of passion. They’re in counseling, trying to rekindle the spark, but things seem… off. Neither one knows that the other is hiding a huge secret.

Dual Lives Revealed

Both John and Jane are actually elite assassins working for competing secret agencies. When they’re both assigned to eliminate the same target (played by Adam Brody), they unwittingly interfere in each other’s mission. This failure causes suspicion in both of their agencies—and the Smiths are now targeted for elimination.

The Battle of the Smiths

Realizing that they are each other’s competition, the couple turns on each other in a deadly, yet hilariously choreographed domestic shootout. Their once-lifeless marriage comes alive amid the chaos. This fight scene, set to The Rolling Stones’ “Play with Fire,” is one of the movie’s most iconic moments.

Eventually, instead of killing each other, they rekindle their romance through adrenaline and destruction. Their explosive fight ends in an impromptu reconciliation and passionate lovemaking among the rubble of their destroyed home.

Joining Forces

Once reconciled, the Smiths team up against their former employers. They become a unified force, on the run, using their combined skills to survive and uncover the truth behind the organizations that manipulated them.

This team-up leads to an epic showdown in a hardware store, where the couple battles waves of armed agents. It’s a turning point that transforms their marriage and their identities.

Movie Ending

In the final scenes, John and Jane Smith hole up in a department store, heavily outnumbered by agents sent to eliminate them. What follows is a stylish and violent shootout, with the couple working in sync, covering each other, and showing just how formidable they are together.

They survive the ambush, and in the aftermath, it seems their previous agencies either back off or have been neutralized. The film closes with the couple back in marriage counseling. Their therapist notes that they seem much more connected and asks, “How would you describe your marriage now?”

John pauses, smiles, and says:
“We’re good. Really good.”

It’s a cheeky, satisfying conclusion that ties both the action and romantic arcs together: by trying to kill each other, they saved their marriage.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Mr. & Mrs. Smith does not include a post-credits scene. Once the film ends, that’s it—no extra Easter eggs or sequel teases.

Type of Movie

• Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance, Spy Thriller
• The film is a rare hybrid—equal parts romantic comedy and high-octane action flick, laced with clever satire on modern relationships and domestic life.

Cast

• Brad Pitt as John Smith
• Angelina Jolie as Jane Smith
• Vince Vaughn as Eddie (John’s best friend and fellow assassin)
• Adam Brody as Benjamin “The Tank” Danz
• Kerry Washington as Jasmine
• Michelle Monaghan (uncredited) in a brief appearance as Gwen

Film Music and Composer

• Composer: John Powell
• The score blends orchestral suspense with quirky and energetic beats. It also features standout tracks like:
  • “Express Yourself” – Charles Wright
  • “Mondo Bongo” – Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros (played during their passionate post-fight scene)
  • “Lay Lady Lay” – Magnet and Gemma Hayes

Filming Locations

• Los Angeles, California: Most scenes were filmed here, including the Smiths’ suburban home and street shootouts.
• Pasadena and Glendale: Used for exterior neighborhood shots.
• Downtown LA: Locations like the hotel and department store finale.

These locations were crucial in grounding the film’s over-the-top action within a believable domestic and urban setting, which made the contrast between their double lives more humorous and jarring.

Awards and Nominations

While it didn’t sweep major awards, the film had a strong box office run and received some nods:

• MTV Movie Awards: Won Best Fight (Brad Pitt vs. Angelina Jolie)
• Teen Choice Awards: Multiple nominations including Choice Movie Actor/Actress and Choice Chemistry
• People’s Choice Award: Favorite On-Screen Match-Up

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Brad Pitt initially left the project during early development. The film was delayed until Angelina Jolie joined, after which he returned.
• The real-life chemistry between Pitt and Jolie sparked during filming—leading to one of Hollywood’s most high-profile relationships.
• Director Doug Liman reportedly shot multiple versions of some scenes due to disagreements with the studio.
• Vince Vaughn improvised many of his lines, adding a natural comic touch.
• Several scenes—especially the fight sequences—required custom stunt work that both leads participated in heavily.

Inspirations and References

• The film was loosely inspired by classic spy vs. spy and screwball comedies like “War of the Roses” and “True Lies.”
• Its core concept (spouses unaware of each other’s secret spy lives) has since influenced other media, such as the animated film The Incredibles and series like Killing Eve.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• A longer version of the final shootout was filmed, with additional tactical planning and a brief cameo from a higher-up agency leader. It was cut to tighten the pacing.
• A scene with Jane confronting her agency boss directly was removed, likely to keep the focus on the couple rather than external characters.
• There were discussions of a sequel, but it was ultimately scrapped, possibly due to the actors’ personal relationship complicating production logistics.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film was not based on a novel, but it did inspire a novelization after release. A 2024 reboot series (starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine) is more loosely connected to the concept.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• John and Jane’s dinner table passive-aggressive conversation with hidden threats.
• The epic house destruction fight scene—gunfire, fists, plates flying… the works.
• The interrogation scene where each tries to hide their true profession.
• The final department store shootout with synchronized gunplay and explosive teamwork.

Iconic Quotes

• John Smith: “I guess that’s what happens in the end, you start thinking about the beginning.”
• Jane Smith: “I thought I told you not to use the ‘s’ word.”
• Therapist: “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your marriage?”
• John: “…8?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• John’s company is named I-Temp, a nod to “temporary identity.”
• Jane’s agency is highly stylized and minimalist—mirroring her personality—while John’s is chaotic and filled with lazy agents (like Vince Vaughn), highlighting their contrast.
• The guns they hide in household items (like the oven and closet) poke fun at typical suburban life.
• Their home is a metaphor: prim and pristine on the surface, chaotic and explosive beneath.

Trivia

• The film took over $478 million worldwide.
• Nicole Kidman was originally considered for Jane.
• Angelina Jolie did many of her own stunts, including wire work.
• Doug Liman filmed some scenes in his mother’s house to cut costs.
• The fight scene was choreographed to mimic a couple’s actual argument rhythm—fast, emotional, then abruptly passionate.

Why Watch?

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is the perfect mix of sex appeal, humor, and full-throttle action. It’s wildly entertaining, stylish, and packs real chemistry between its leads. Whether you’re in it for explosions or unresolved relationship tension, this film delivers. Plus, it’s an ideal pick for date night and action fans.

Director’s Other Movies

• The Bourne Identity (2002)
• Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
• American Made (2017)
• Jumper (2008)
• Chaos Walking (2021)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Bourne Identity (2002)
• Mr. Right (2015)
• Knight and Day (2010)
• True Lies (1994)
• Killers (2010)
• The Incredibles (2004)
• This Means War (2012)