Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2436 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-06-10
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
• Dubbed in: French, German, Italian, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 102 minutes

Special Features
1.78 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 5
French\German\Italian\Spanish
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Mono English French German Italian Spanish
Dolby Digital Mono
Arabic\Bulgarian\Croatian\Czech\Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\French\German\Greek\Hebrew\Hungarian\Icelandic\Italian\Norwegian\Polish\Portuguese\Romanian\Slovenian\Spanish\Swedish\Turkish

Synopsis
Acting fireworks are on display as Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep play Frank Raftis and Molly Gilmore, two everyday people who meet by chance on a commuter train bound for New York and fall desperately in love--despite the fact that they are both married. The stellar supporting cast includes Diane Wiest (HANNAH AND HER SISTERS) and Jane Kaczmarek (TV's MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE). De Niro and Streep previously starred together in THE DEER HUNTER (1978).

Customer Reviews

Gentle and Romantic
There is a romantic glow to this very undervalued film. It is a throwback to films of the 40's and 50's. Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep give old style performances to match the story's atmosphere, which is sweet and sentimental. It does not make light of the subject matter of having an affair but instead is a film about finding love itself. In keeping with that theme there is no sex in this film. The love that gently blossoms is one of the heart.

Frank Raftis (DeNiro) and Molly Gilmore (Streep) are going about their mundane if uninspiring lives amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season in New York when they literally run into each other at a bookshop. Both are married and when they meet again on the train both are taking to work, a friendship begins. Even the small prospect of riding to work together is handled gingerly as both are good people who would not want to hurt their spouses.

As they become more dependent on each other the moral dilema escalates. There are charming scenes as each almost misses the train, and the chance to talk. Her father is sick and her response is to call him. It is the little things that separate this film from others. Frank and Molly fall in love for the reason we all do; because of how we feel about ourselves when we are with that person.

When they finally can not stand it anymore they have a clumsy, and aborted, attempt at making love. Both DeNiro and Streep are wonderful at capturing the moral dilema of two people already married who have found the love of their life. Dianne Wiest has a nice turn as Molly's best friend Isabelle and Harvey Keitel as DeNiro's pal Ed is engaging. Jane Kaczmarek, of television's 'Malcolm in the Middle' fame, gives a nice performance as Franks's wife Ann.

This film begins at Christmas and ends at Christmas a year later. It is a sweet and charming film about falling in love and finding happiness. Dave Grusin helps the atmosphere with a nice score that perfectly captures the sweet exhilaration and anguish of Frank and Molly's love. If you enjoy films like 'An Affair to Remember' then chances are you'll love this one also. It's a nice film to own.

Hugely under-rated romantic classic
It's slow, and it's soppy, and it's one of the best romantic films you will ever see. De Niro and Streep are superb simply because they manage to play ordinary people so well. The supporting cast is also excellent (particularly the lead characters' best friends), and the score, by Dave Grusin, is outstanding. A classic.

Under-rated modern romance
I first saw this film way back in '84 when it got it's UK release and I have to say that it has aged very well (which you can't say about many films made in the 1980's). Yes, there are probably more dramatic and exciting movies out there, but the gentleness and poignancy of this film made it a subtle rarity in the flashy 80's.

This is really a modern-day re-telling of the 1940's Brit classic 'Brief Encounter', and it is beautifully done. De Niro and Streep are (as expected) excellent, and they are supported by a fantastic cast (Weist amd Kietel being the most notable). However the best thing is the wonderful score by Dave Grusin (I became a fan thereafter). The piece is called 'Rondo' and can be found on his CD 'Mountain Dance' which is still available). Recommended.