Rent Truly, Madly, Deeply (1990)

One of my top favourite films - Truly, Madly, Deeply review by CW

Years ago I saw Truly Madly Deeply when it was at the cinema. I sat there spellbound. To me this is an absolutely perfect movie. Since then I have seen it several more times. This time as I watched, I reversed to see certain scenes again. Juliet stevenson’s (Nina) acting in the scene in the therapist’s office is as good as it gets. My gosh she is extraordinary. She is sobbing uncontrollably, unable to recover, to move on after the death of her boyfriend/lover/best friend. This is so not Hollywood. She doesn’t look glamorous with perfect makeup, the tears go on and on, her face is a mess, she is wiping her eyes with her hands. I am not describing this well, it has to be seen. In the extras, the interview with director/author, I learned that this and almost all of the scenes were done in one take. There are absurdly funny scenes, poignant ones, passion, beauty. The movie is about love, friendship, kindness, forgiveness, acceptance. If I cried in movies, there are scenes here that would make me ob and there are scenes that still make me burst out laughing such as when Nina has 7 dead men playing music and watching old movies on her DVD player. I recommend this movie 100%. Fabulous story, acting, directing, casting (the sublime Alan Rickman). A must see.

Dream Lover. - Truly, Madly, Deeply review by Steve

Irresistible comic fantasy about the stages of bereavement which features a tour de force performance by Juliet Stevenson as a 20-something professional struggling to carry on after the sudden death of her longterm partner (Alan Rickman). So he comes back from the other side with a few of his ghost pals to help her get through the denial phase.

There is humour as the mob of deceased males moves into her flat to watch b&w films on the VCR... But it's also an absolutely sincere exploration of what loss feels like, conveyed by Stevenson in what amounts to a showcase. The scene in which she has an emotional meltdown in a session with her impassive therapist has stayed with me for years...

Not everything works. I cant really believe in the magician/psychologist (Michael Maloney) she hesitantly dates, which is strange in a story about a haunting. And as the yuppie couple, Stevenson and Rickman together are perhaps a little smug; though this is compatible with her growing acceptance that the loved one may not have been flawless.

Maybe not everyone will identify with their lifestyle, but surely most of those who have experienced grief will recognise the heartbreak. Amazing this was made for television- though it later went on general release- so the budget is clearly limited and it's in the old academy ratio. But no matter, this isn't merely an entertainment... it's a film which is loved.