Truly, Madly, Deeply [DVD] [1991]

The plot revolves around Nina (Juliet Stevenson), a thirty-something English woman who has lost Jamie (Alan Rickman), the love of her life, to a totally unexpected death. She is profoundly in despair and her grief is bottomless, piercing, palpable, and all encompassing. Living in a rat infested flat, Nina seems unable to cope with life without her Jamie, for whom she incessantly longs. When it seems that she can no longer bear the pain of his loss, he suddenly comes back from the dead, no figment of her imagination.

Initially overjoyed, transformed by her sheer happiness at having Jamie back, she becomes her old self. Of course, it is too good to be true. He starts having all his dead friends crash at the flat with him, invading her space and privacy, redoing her flat, and complaining. Those little annoying things about Jamie that she had forgotten come bubbling to the surface. Having romanticized their relationship in her overwhelming sense of loss, this reminder of how he really was helps to ground her grief.

When she meets a sensitive and attractive man, Mark (Michael Maloney), who is attracted to her, she finds herself torn between the memories of her love for her dead Jamie and the possiblity of love with the very much alive Mark. Nina has a decision to make that will determine her future. Moreover, the viewer has to wonder whether Jamie's return and subsequent behavior was part of a concerted effort prompted by his love for Nina and his own profound sadness at seeing her unable to go on with a life without him. They surely loved each other truly, madly, deeply.

Juliet Stevenson gives a bravura performance as the haunted Nina. The scene in which she unburdens her grief to her therapist is heartbreaking in scope and will render the viewer to a sobbing, gibbering jelly. Alan Rickman's performance as the beloved Jamie is both romantic and droll. The viewer can understand how it was that Nina and Jamie loved each other so much. Michael Maloney is likewise engaging as the sensitive and whimsical Mark. The viewer knows the instant Mark appears on screen that, if any man can woo Nina away from her memories and spectral lover, it is he.

All in all, this has got to be one of the most definitive films on love, overwhelming grief, and closure. Bravo!

The plot revolves around Nina (Juliet Stevenson), a thirty something English woman who has lost Jamie (Alan Rickman), the love of her life, to a totally unexpected death. She is profoundly in despair and her grief is bottomless, piercing, palpable, and all encompassing. Living in a rat infested flat, Nina seems unable to cope with life without her Jamie, for whom she incessantly longs. When it seems that she can no longer bear the pain of his loss, he suddenly comes back from the dead, no figment of her imagination.

Initially overjoyed, transformed by her sheer happiness at having Jamie back, she becomes her old self. Of course, it is too good to be true. He starts having all his dead friends crash at the flat with him, invading her space and privacy, redoing her flat, and complaining. Those little annoying things about Jamie that she had forgotten come bubbling to the surface. Having romanticized their relationship in her overwhelming sense of loss, this reminder of how he really was helps to ground her grief.

When she meets a sensitive and attractive man, Mark (Michael Maloney), who is attracted to her, she finds herself torn between the memories of her love for her dead Jamie and the possiblity of love with the very much alive Mark. Nina has a decision to make that will determine her future. Moreover, the viewer has to wonder whether Jamie's return and subsequent behavior was part of a concerted effort prompted by his love for Nina and his own profound sadness at seeing her unable to go on with a life without him. They surely loved each other truly, madly, deeply.

Juliet Stevenson gives a bravura performance as the haunted Nina. The scene in which she unburdens her grief to her therapist is heartbreaking in scope and will render the viewer to a sobbing, gibbering jelly. Alan Rickman's performance as the beloved Jamie is both romantic and droll. The viewer can understand how it was that Nina and Jamie loved each other so much. Michael Maloney is likewise engaging as the sensitive and whimsical Mark. The viewer knows the instant Mark appears on screen that, if any man can woo Nina away from her memories and spectral lover, it is he.

All in all, this has got to be one of the most definitive films on love, overwhelming grief, and closure. Bravo!

The DVD provides a crystal clear picture as well an excellent audio. While it has some bonus features, it is limited to an audio commentary with the director, as well as a brief interview with him. Originally filmed on a shoestring budget for BBC TV, it is shown full screen only.