Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37391 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-06-30
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
If the idea of an Oprah Winfrey-produced film detailing the last days of a dying man and his inspirational effect on those left behind sounds a little cloying, Tuesdays with Morrie will be a rather pleasant surprise. While the presentation of this true story is certainly very American in tone, and it was obviously made for television (the points where it faded to commercial breaks are clear), it's still a surprisingly satisfying piece of work. The credit for that can firmly be laid at the door of Jack Lemmon, appearing in what was to be his last film. He excels as the terminally ill college professor Morrie Schwartz, determined to use his passing as a medium for teaching others about life. Still showing signs of the spark that made the movies of his heyday so memorable, Lemmon is also capable of bringing a magnificent pathos to the role. Co-star Hank Azaria is a more-than-equal foil, instilling his character with a growing awareness of self that blossoms before the viewer. Yes, at times it is a little too schmaltzy for its own good, but Tuesdays with Morrie is a film capable of visiting emotional extremes with ease.

On the DVD: A very scanty package, with the usual scene access and Dolby Digital stereo accompanied by a text-only resume of the movie and the briefest of biographies of its cast--in Lemmon's case a massively ineffectual effort.--Phil Udell

Video Description
DVD Special Features:
Trailer.
About the film.
About the stars.
Interactive menus.
Scene selections.

Synopsis
Mitch (Hank Azaria) is a successful sportswriter who suddenly learns that one of his old professors, Morrie (Jack Lemmon) is ill. Mitch visits Morrie and the two form an emotional bond, allowing Mitch to see what is really important in life. TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is a touching story produced by Oprah Winfrey and based on the bestseller by Mitch Albom.

Customer Reviews

Chanced upon Genius
This is one of those movies that are so easy to pass by if you ever had the chance to see it. Relatively unheard of and with no real big-name actors, I happened to chance upon this film and upon watching it, in a sense it has changed my life.

The film tells the story of an aged man, Morrie. He is dying. By some strange twist of fate he meets one of his old pupils from his teaching career, long ago. His pupil, who used to hold thesis' with Morrie back at school on Philosophy, starts to build a strong and highly emotional bond with his old teacher as he returns to Morrie every Tuesday to hold thesis' with him again. These thesis' are on the meaning of life and we watch as slowly Morrie's words of wisdom permeate through his pupil and start to change the way he looks at the world.

"Live every day as if you've got a bird on your shoulder. When you get up evey morning ask your bird, 'is this the day I'm going to die? Is this my last day on this earth?' And if you keep asking that bird that question you'll live your life differently." - one of the many philosophical insights Morrie shares with his pupil, while his pupil listens and records it all on a tape.

Throughout the film the sense of development and progression is always apparent, as is the sense of impending misery on the whole. This feeling is given as we watch Morrie deteriorate, while his pupil flourishes under Morrie's teaching. His life changes and he detaches himself from his hectic paparazzi lifestyle to seek the greater things in life.
However the film is not all doom and gloom. Despite what I say the film itself is beautiful, instead of emphasising the nightmare of death it glorifies life and to show this the film often demonstrates this best by Morrie's cheerful front on the Tuesdays, "Hey, I've reached a landmark. Remember when I told you someday I wouldn't be able to wipe my own ass? Well, it's happened."

Of course the end result is inevitable and as we near the climax of the film its hard to fight back the tears but then you remember the way Morrie cried all the time at the beauty of life and so you follow his teachings, you cry as the film ends and afterwards, you sit up in your armchair and a little bird appears on your shoulder, you ask it one question and get on with your life.

I thoroughly recommend this film for anyone. Its a beautiful piece of work, looking at the basic elements of life (Morrie holds thesis' on Love, Life, Death, Dependance, Marriage, everything) and generally teaching you about the world whilst blessing you with the chance of watching such a great story. Full marks.

A film worth watching
This is a moving film about a retired professor who is terminally ill. He faces this with such honesty and grace that he truly becomes an inspiration, not only to one of his former students, who comes to visit him on Tuesdays - but to all who allow themselves to be touched by his wisdom (this includes readers of the book and/or viewers of the film).
The wisdom is his most important lesson: How to live life.
Jack Lemmon is wonderful in the part of Morrie Schwartz.
It's a film worth watching!

You'll watch this more than once!
OK if your looking for a movie that will make you jump out of your seat with shock, don't get this one! This will make you sink deeper into your sofa & take a look at life.
If you enjoy movies like "The Legend Of Bagger Vance" you'll love this!
It's one of the few movies which is almost as good as the book!
Hope this helps.
Take care!