I thought this was one of the more REAL films that I've seen. As there are a plethora of plot summaries already on this site, I will just repeat the basics: this is the story of an airline pilot (ANDY GARCIA) and his wife (MEG RYAN) whose drinking becomes more and more out of control, threatening their marriage and family.
Just as a side note, I found it rather jarring that Andy Garcia, with an accent, was named "Michael Green." The name just did not jive with the character and for some reason I actually let that bother me.
The feelings that this film evoked in me were feelings that I think will touch many viewers in a myriad of ways. It certainly shows the devastation and destruction of alcoholism, and the reality that alcoholism does not have to come from someone picking up the bottle because they have a horrific life. It can come from all kinds of place that the alcoholic him/herself does not understand, and may never understand. I thought the film did an excellent job in portraying this realistically, and it's hard to imagine that anyone watching would not be reminded of someone they know, whether it be themselves or someone close to them.
I also really related to the loyalty and abiding love. I truly felt for Michael as he found that he did not know what his wife Alice needed, and that he was condemned for being the kind of man most women would love to have by their side. I felt pulled between my anger toward Alice for seeming so unfair to him, yet my feeling that I did not understand her and that her feelings were very legitimate.
The film, to me, did not take sides and it did not paint a wildly unrealistic picture as some films do. While I'm a big fan of LEAVING LAS VEGAS, which showed the absolute worst of alcoholism in Nicholas Cage's character, this film was powerful by illustrating alcoholism differently. After all, there is no one way to portray it. The monster has many faces.
This wasn't the best film I've ever seen, but I really liked it and I think it made a powerful statement. I couldn't help but thinking as I watched that I hoped seeing this film would reach many people. Meg Ryan was excellent as the multi-faceted "Alice Green" and the young actresses who played her daughters were very compelling, reminding everyone how deeply affected children are by this tragedy. It is a film I will remember for a long time.
Just as a side note, I found it rather jarring that Andy Garcia, with an accent, was named "Michael Green." The name just did not jive with the character and for some reason I actually let that bother me.
The feelings that this film evoked in me were feelings that I think will touch many viewers in a myriad of ways. It certainly shows the devastation and destruction of alcoholism, and the reality that alcoholism does not have to come from someone picking up the bottle because they have a horrific life. It can come from all kinds of place that the alcoholic him/herself does not understand, and may never understand. I thought the film did an excellent job in portraying this realistically, and it's hard to imagine that anyone watching would not be reminded of someone they know, whether it be themselves or someone close to them.
I also really related to the loyalty and abiding love. I truly felt for Michael as he found that he did not know what his wife Alice needed, and that he was condemned for being the kind of man most women would love to have by their side. I felt pulled between my anger toward Alice for seeming so unfair to him, yet my feeling that I did not understand her and that her feelings were very legitimate.
The film, to me, did not take sides and it did not paint a wildly unrealistic picture as some films do. While I'm a big fan of LEAVING LAS VEGAS, which showed the absolute worst of alcoholism in Nicholas Cage's character, this film was powerful by illustrating alcoholism differently. After all, there is no one way to portray it. The monster has many faces.
This wasn't the best film I've ever seen, but I really liked it and I think it made a powerful statement. I couldn't help but thinking as I watched that I hoped seeing this film would reach many people. Meg Ryan was excellent as the multi-faceted "Alice Green" and the young actresses who played her daughters were very compelling, reminding everyone how deeply affected children are by this tragedy. It is a film I will remember for a long time.