Falling in Love [DVD]

This is a story of 2 people that fall in love without even looking. It is not about sex, it is not about looking for infidelity, it is about life, as it happens. I did not like the end, because I believe in the institution of marriage and the welfare of children - yes, I believe they need a mom and a dad - but the acting is excellent. De Niro usually plays gangster types of movies, but here he has a softer side that I liked. Meryl Streep is a little bit more predictable, and, at times, she is truly irritating, but the camera loves them together. For love to be lasting, there must be a context that I did not see in this movie, besides 2 people with mutual chemistry.....but then, this is a movie that I will watch, again....in a few months.

Who can question the power of love ? As long as you don't think too much of the lives they abandoned bruised and battered it's a touching story. Robert Deniro pulls off a softer role than that of a ganster and Streep is convincing in any role. One of the greatest actresses of all time. The ending was a tad cheesy but oh well.

Great story great actors.

It was a great, predictable movie but the writer failed to finish the ending which I suppose was predict too.

I ordered "Falling in Love" several months ago because of the very fine review by Ed Uyeshima, which I recommend (its one of the more "helpful" reviews below). Most of my reviewing recently has been for "Vine Program" books. Because of my increased reading, it took me a while to get around to watching the film. Ed's review is more complete and better than mine. The only reason I'm writing today is to mention a few additional points which contribute to the value of this odd little film.First, I wondered about the level of improvisation which occured between Streep and De Niro during their most important scenes. The acting is extraordinary and goes well beyond what could possibly be contained in a screenplay or in the best direction. If you want to see a dozen or so very high quality scenes, you should see this film, watch carefully, and enjoy what these two can do together. Pay attention to their eye contact (or lack thereof), their timing, and how they both portray a variety of anxiety-ridden situations.Second, because the director did such a nice job with pace and reality, many reviewers were troubled by the apparent disconnection between the scenes of love and affection (after all, the title is "Falling in Love"), and the very accurately portrayed anxiety, guilt, hurt, and self serving behavior. This I think is why the movie was interesting to me. Before someone becomes unfaithul, they have to weigh a thousand times the consequences of deciding (in or out) of fidelity - to their spouse, their children, their friends, and to their personal history of everything which came after they started their lives with the spouse.I could easily imagine Meryl Streep wanting to leave her husband. He seemed very creepy to me with his odd, stiff, and insensitive behavior. And how about that ugy 70's beard? Having unsuccessfully dealt with the loss of a baby made the disfunction of this childless marriage seem realistic.However, the portrayal of De Niro's spouse by Jane Kaczmarek seemed so genuine and decent, that it was difficult to imagine De Niro cheating on her emotionally or physically. Either way, she still slapped him, and he deserved it. "Falling in Love" wants you to imagine these star-crossed "lovers" as wonderful people who are just in bad relationships. But by the end of the movie, its impossible to associate many decent qualities to either person, particularly the De Niro character. What about his kids?Finally, Meryl Streep is literally gorgeous in this role. I suppose this is why many men cheat, and it makes his poor behavior more believable. So they go far enough into the "affair" to successfully destroy their existing relationships, but apparently let the resulting discomfort prevent moving into this new relationship. Then by chance (the same way they met), they meet again and presumably follow through, now that the past relationships have been cleansed.So, as many reviewers raved about the genuine love and affection portrayed throughout this movie, there was also plenty of the selfish as well, so that by the time it ended I felt relieved to be me back in my own life, and not one of these two people.

I love this movie so much

Family nigjy

It's slow, it's engaging, It keeps you going until the last minute.

Two excellent actors and a beautiful, and moving, story make this a very joyfully engaging film. The 80's are hardly our favourite era (all those shoulder pads and big hair!) but this is a meaningful tale, more appealing to us than many of the modern day equivalents which seem to be either aggressive / full of swearing or the opposite i.e. cloying and syrupy. Being the 80's, however, some of the scenes (particularly the first Christmas one) and the theme music both now seem somewhat 'cheesy' but it's a wonderful story.

I re-ordered this film as I accidently broke the previous DVD. I love the film so much that I just had to get another! Its such a feelgood film and I often find myself watching it again and again because it leaves me with such a warm glow. What I also love about it is the fact that it is was made in the early 80's, a simpler time, and yet not so long ago that we cannot idenitfy with the characters, far from it. There are no mobile phones - people simply picked up the phone when they wanted to speak to someone and actually met each other, not bombard each other with boring and meaningless texts! The music all throughout the film is beautifully done, very moving. The main theme tune is apparently called Mountain Dance, which is very bubbly, bouncy and happy, again leaving you with that feelgood feeling. The main characters, Molly and Frank, are just made for each other. They are such kind, gentle characters, who quite literally cannot help but fall in love. The other actors and actresses involved also take fantastic parts. This is a film which I do not believe will ever date. I challenge any woman not to watch it and not be captivated by it.

For years my mother has described a film she saw many years ago with my father but could never remember it, only that it was with de Niro and Streep and the couple meet on the train. So I was delighted to find this. Some may find this dated but the essence is a romantic film which also shows the torn emotions of those no longer in love with their husband or wife, yet strongly and unexpectedly attracted and emotionally connected to someone they met by chance and the choice to follow their heart and start again.I have no astounding feedback other than it was a gift which was greatly appreciated and I had the chance to watch it and it made a change from strong violence and /or sex scenes and focussed more on emotions.

I love Meryl Streep and this is the film which did it for me.The first time I saw it I hated Robert Deniro's performance....over the years he has grown on me.....just don't think he is good enough for Meryl. Still think the guy playing her husband is miscaste......he looks like a maniac....you don't have any empathy with him at all! I adore Brief Encounter which this is a nod to.....in it you love the husband but still have sympathy with the heroine and her passion.When I was in New York this year I went to Grand Central station to see where they met.Another of my cosy afternoon films.

Saw this film when in came out and have wanted to see it again for years. really lovely film.