TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY (1991)

Cast:	Juliet Stevenson, Alan Rickman, Michael Maloney, Bill Paterson
Director:	Anthony Minghella
Producers:	Robert Cooper
Screenplay:	Anthony Minghella
Cinematography:	Remi Adefarasin
Music:	Barrington Pheloung
Approximate Running Time:	106 minutes
Rating:

Category: Romantic Comedy

The Plot: Nina (Juliet Stevenson) desperately misses her former lover Jamie (Alan Rickman) who passed away due to complication when he caught a cold. Then suddenly, her grief causes Jamie to re-enter her life again as a lovable ghost. Jamie brings back with him all his foibles, and some new friends. No longer able to dwell on only the good things about Jamie, Nina finds that she must choose between loving Jamie or real-life interest, Mark (Michael Maloney).

Comment: Billed as the Britain's answer to the hit movie Ghost, Truly, Madly, Deeply is nonetheless a different and wonderful little romantic comedy in itself. Unlike Ghost, a true Hollywood vehicle, Truly, Madly, Deeply is a much warmer and intimate take on the life after death scenario. The characters have depth, substance, foibles, grief and an incredible, believable love. The movie vividly identifies with the grief anyone can feel after loosing a loved one - particularly when that loved one dies young and from just plain dumb luck. London is a lovely backdrop to portray Nina rebuilding her life as she must inevitably do, with many humorous scenes taking place outside in the beautiful surrounds.

The wonderful script is brought to life by the friendship that exists both on screen and off by the two stars, Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson. Juliet Stevenson's deep grief after Jamie's death and her infectious joy when Jamie returns radiate from the screen. Stevenson makes Nina a wonderful, warm person with many levels to get to know. Alan Rickman is endearing as the ghost, Jamie - even with the big bushy handlebar- mustache! Through Jamie, Ricky makes us believe his love for Nina is possibly more than his. He metamorphoses Jamie through a variety of dimensions from considerate lover ("I'm warming my lips," he says, blowing on his hand just before kissing Nina) to annoying control-freak as he re-arranges Nina's new place to suit his taste.

Truly, Madly, Deeply is a tender, funny and thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy. It reaches out to touch you at the highest levels of love and the lowest levels of grief and yet remains captivating the entire time, with a laugh always just around the corner. A must see for hopeless romantics everywhere!