Save your money for something good and enjoyable

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Many reviewers have noted how well this movie depicts grief of a person who has lost her spouse whom she deeply loved. That, of course, is the overwhelming aspect of "Truly, Madly, Deeply." Juliet Stevenson portrays the grieving Nina to perfection. Alan Rickman is excellent as her departed long-time boyfriend, Jamie. The supporting roles are all done well. The plot of this film is very clever. Those who want to experience the surprise of the ending should read no further here. We don't know how long it has been since Jamie's death. Judging from the comments and attitudes of Nina's friends and co-workers, it has probably been several months. But she is back at work and able to function in her job and among associates. It's when she's alone in her flat that she becomes deeply sorrowful. She won't go out with friends, and there are many male neighbors and friends who like her. She recently has been seeing a therapist. This has gone on for some time, and with her refusal to even go out with friends, she is at home one day when Jamie appears. He's there not as an apparition or ghost, but in the flesh and blood. At least to her consciousness and to we viewers. He has come back to be with her. They resume their lives together – but only in her flat. Jamie was an accomplished cellist. He stays in the flat and plays his cello while Nina goes off to her office job. While their mutual affections for one another continue, in time, Jamie does things that irritate Nina. Several friends of his from the afterworld have moved in to watch movies. Jamie rearranges the flat and takes up the carpet. Nina and he argue. She asks one night, "Was it always like this?" During her days at work and out, she meets another man. Mark is a psychologist who runs a program for young adults with Down Syndrome. In time, they become attracted to one another. Nina is conflicted over her feelings toward Jamie and wanting to keep him around, and her new interest in Mark. Eventually, she gives Mark her address and asks him to pick her up to go out. Jamie and his friends from the next world watch through the window. And that final scene is when it dawns on the viewer that Jamie's return was calculated to help Nina get beyond her grieving so that she could move on with her life. But, calculated by whom?While this is very cleverly done, the film just skirts the aspect of a divine presence or being. No religion or faith are apparent in the film. But, Nina asks Jamie if he returned from heaven. His answer was that he didn't think so. He didn't know where he had been, but he met other people there. So, without any overt connection to God, the film establishes that there is an afterlife, an eternity beyond this life. One can then surmise from the ending, that it was love that brought Jamie back to help Nina. From there, it's not difficult to see a link to God, who in Judeo-Christian understanding is love. This is a wonderful film. Those who may not have experienced the loss of a loved one in such a way may gain understanding and empathy for those who feel such loses in this way. And those who have such grief may be reminded and assured that their life is precious and worth living beyond their grief.

I watched this film first when I was much younger. It was on TV, and seemed like a good way to waste an afternoon. It grabbed me from the first. I watched it spellbound to the end, and hunted for years until I managed to find my own copy.For me this movie cannot be labelled as a chick flick, nor is it a tear- jerker, although I still cry buckets each time I watch it. It is full of real honest emotion. The characters portrayed by Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman are both touching and devastating, but yet still the kind of people you meet every day.Until watching this movie, I believed that love was for suckers and a soul mate could only be found in a Disney movie. (Not that I don't also love those! After watching the movie, I found a new perspective and truly understood for the first time what real love could be.I would recommend this film wholeheartedly to anyone, be they male or female. Sure, it's not an action flick or sugary sweet rom-com, but it is amazing!

Last night, I saw this this film at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Minghella's daughter was in attendance. What's fascinating is he actually left the world among his body of works, one that dealt specifically about grief.His first film as a director is quite intelligent. It's also quite stagy and does have the ghost of Alan Rickman not really doing much of anything other than being a seducer.However, when by yourself, it's only natural to talk to someone that you'll talk to again, at least as two living human beings. The important message is though you mourn, you must carry on and face responsibilities while still part of this world.There's also a sense of humor about this. A lot bunch of dead friends show up to watch videos. Interesting that they could fill in interesting tidbits while watching. Such as the early death of Eric Campbell, who was usually cast as Charlie Chaplin's enemy in his early shorts.This is one of those films that makes one smile and laugh at the same time. God bless Anthony Mighella.

I have seen this movie several times over the years by way of rental, and finally decided to buy a copy to loan to my daughter who had not seen it. Of course I had to watch it again before I let go of it. I knew the parts that would make me cry, and so I had no qualms about applying my morning makeup to go out in public. I was prepared. But then, damn it, Rickman, there I was again, welling up and mascara running down my face. I am not a person who cries easily.Suffice it to say that the ninety nine percent positive reviews that are contained on this site give a wonderful synopsis of the film, except that I have not read the one emotion that I felt, hence my confusion. Insert SPOILER HERE: What woman in her right mind would let Alan Rickman go, dead or alive, for the nerdy magician??? I think that I would gladly stand the over heated apartment and opt to live out my life in shorts and a tank top with a cold margarita in my hand. And his movie watching friends? Come on in...just be sure to observe the Do Not Disturb sign on the bedroom door! I think I'd dedicate my life to keeping poor Mr. Rickman warm for eternity. Heh Heh.