Truly Madly Deeply (1990)

A woman dealing with inconsolable grief over the death of her partner gets another chance when he returns to earth as a ghost.

Director:

Anthony Minghella

Writer:

Anthony Minghella

Stars:

Juliet Stevenson, Alan Rickman, Jenny Howe

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 16 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Juliet Stevenson	...	Nina
Jenny Howe	...	Burge
Carolyn Choa	...	Translator
Bill Paterson	...	Sandy
Christopher Rozycki	...	Titus
Keith Bartlett	...	Plumber
David Ryall	...	George
Stella Maris	...	Maura
Ian Hawkes	...	Harry
Deborah Findlay	...	Claire
Alan Rickman	...	Jamie
Vania Vilers	...	Frenchman
Arturo Venegas	...	Roberto
Richard Syms	...	Symonds
Michael Maloney	...	Mark

Storyline

Once upon a time there were two people in love, their names were Nina and Jamie. They were even happy enough to be able to live happily ever after, (not often the case) and then Jamie died. Nina is left with a house full of rats and handymen, a job teaching foreigners English and an ache that fills the night sky.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | videotape | loss of loved one | london england | grief | 

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Taglines:

A romantic comedy about finding love when it's least expected!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mature theme and mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The budget was only $650,000. For something like this that's not too amazing since it was a little-known film and not widely publicized at the time. Something like this, especially being a moderate ghost story, would have caught a lot of attention had it been a bigger deal.

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Quotes

Nina: My Feet will want to march to where you are sleeping, but I shall go on living.

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Crazy Credits

Rat.....Squeak Supplied by Janimals

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Connections

References Brief Encounter (1945)

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Soundtracks

Skrwawione Serce (Bleeding Heart)
Traditional Polish folk song

User Reviews

Do you want me to go?

Nina's {Juliet Stevenson} life is torn apart with the unexpected death of her lover, Jamie {Alan Rickman}. Stuck in a rat infested flat and under expensive therapy, Nina's grief is suddenly stopped in its tracks when Jamie comes back into her life as a ghost. Just as Nina meets Mark, a potential suitor.

For his first feature film, director and writer Anthony Minghella chose this touching, and often funny, tale of bereavement and learning to love again. Written in the main for Stevenson to showcase her talents, its strengths lie in the actors performances, the sensitive writing and its low key moody production ethic. Often it's been tagged the British answer to the Moore/Swayze movie Ghost. That's a lazy link and a touch misleading, as this is, if anything, the anti blockbuster movie, while the respective plots bear little resemblance. And besides which, this was made quite some time before Patrick and Demi were playing slinky round the pottery wheel.

Stevenson is marvellous, she gives Nina real depth, and in one grief stricken scene she delivers one of the most believable enactments of that emotion ever put on to celluloid. Rickman shines as he gets his teeth into something outside of the bad guy roles he was {still is} known for. Watch out for a poem (La Muerta) segment shared between the two, pure class. And as Mark, Michael Maloney is hugely effective in what is the tricky third wheel role. While the impressive acting on show is boosted by Barrington Pheloung's poignant, rhythmic musical score.

There are a number of interpretations put forward as to what Truly, Madly, Deeply is about. But really it has to be down to the individual viewer to make their own deductions. What isn't in doubt is that for anyone who been deeply in love or has lost a loved one to death, this film can't fail to ignite a number of emotions. Even as the comedy takes a hold, comedy which sits nicely within the structure of the tale I might add since some critics were baffled by the blend, one just knows we are being guided to a telling point where the story finishes for the protagonists, but goes on for us viewers long after the credits have rolled. To first time viewers I say, banish any hope of Hollywood histrionics and flourishing visuals and let Minghella and his wonderful cast take you by the hand. For the rewards are there for the discerning adult. 9/10

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Truly Madly Deeply

Filming Locations:

Goldney Hall - Bristol University, Lower Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,009, 5 May 1991

Gross USA:

$1,554,742

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,554,742

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Lionheart, Winston

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1