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Understanding...........Love.........Reality.......Different Meg Ryan

I have never seen such a great movie about married life. This movie is no Hollywood fantasy, rather a lot reality oriented. The story is kinda universal......not only in married life but in love life too.Meg Ryan really delivers an Oscar caliber performance.......why wasn't she nominated for Oscars? She deserved it! She was different, she was real and she made the character her's. This is one of the best performance she has ever given. The portrayal of an alcoholic was perfect..Andy Garcia.......well.......i have no words to describe his performance. Husband's should be like this........ (in real life.....a man can't have more patience than Garcia's's character if he was in this kind of situation.If someone wants to see reality in movies......this is a good choice.

Not entertaining

Even though Meg Ryan does an excellent and credible job, I thought Andy Garcia was a dud. First let me say that if you cannot relate to a rehab situation, this film is uncomfortable to watch. Most dissapointing was that I did not believe that the speech Andy Garcia's character gave at the end (that made Meg Ryan's character as his wife apparently return to him) had any substance to convince Meg that he really "got it" in terms of her struggle. The scene at the marriage counselor had some promise but then it ended too soon and was not revisited. Again that scene was great for Meg's character but did not do much for sphinx-face Andy. Also, supporting characters, aside from a few short moments at the rehab center were weak and uninteresting. Bottom line, if you come from a sober family, don't bother watching this flick.

When a man loves a woman, he can become an "enabler" to an alcoholic, as this wonderfully poignant film shows

Michael Green (Andy Garcia) and his wife, Alice (Meg Ryan) are living the good life in San Francisco. They are both professionals, they live in a lovely home, and they have two beautiful daughters (Tina Majorino and Mae Whitman). But, they also have a secret. Alice is a "closet" alcoholic, who is on the verge of showing it to the world and Michael is doing his best to cover for her to everyone. Things are complicated, for Alice seems happier when she is in the "party mood" and Michael loves her so much that he actually appears to relish his role as the one Alice calls on to put herself back together. Yet, even a vacation to Mexico does not help Alice find the self-happiness she needs to lose the bottle. Also, Alice injures herself at home, scaring the girls beyond measure and they are suffering from neglect, too. Therefore, Alice has to enter a "Betty Ford" type clinic. But, will Michael and Alice both like and love each other when Alice is sober? This is a great movie for its honest portrayal of the effects an alcoholic has on the family he or she loves and on the long climb out of the world of alcoholism. Alice and Michael are not really living the American dream but the American nightmare, because of Alice's need for one drink after another. Both Ryan and Garcia are truly wonderful in roles that call upon them to be both lovable and repugnant, at the same time. The other cast members, including Ellen Burstyn and the two lovely little girl-actresses, are also just perfect. Naturally, the settings in San Fran and Mexico are great, especially the Green's beautiful old house. Costumes, too, are very well-chosen and all other other productions values of direction, photography and story are most worthy, too. Then, too, the film also has great value as a movie to show the realities of alcoholism to any audience that could benefit from such a view. In summary, if you are a man or woman who loves movies that tell a tale well, with gorgeous stars, even if it might result in a few shed tears, this is a great choice. You might even pop it in when you need a "good cry", for it has wonderful cathartic elements.

A realistic romance movie

I absolutely loved this movie. It dealt with a very tough but real situation. Meg Ryan as Alice gave one of her best performances I have seen. Andy Garcia's character showed so much passion both in his love for his wife and daughters and in his anger toward the alcoholism. This movie was well done and anyone who is dealing with or has dealt with alcoholism would appreciate the story.

Fantastic!

This movie is fantastic and it really shows the destructive power of addiction. More importantly, it shows the enduring power of love! I never get tired of this film.

VERY GOOD

THIS MOVIE SHOWS HOW AN ALCOHOLIC WILL NOT ONLY HURT HIMSELF (OR HERSELF) BUT HOW HIS OR HER ALL ENTOURAGE WILL BE HURT. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS MOVIE IS THE FACT THAT BEING ALCOHOLIC WAS SHOWN AS BEING A SICKNESS. IT IS SIMPLY THE STORY OF A SICK WOMAN (A SICK HUMAN BEING) TRYING TO GET BETTER WITH THE HELP OF HER LOVELY HUSBAND WHO DOES NOT KNOW EVERYTHING ECEPT THAT HE LOVES HIS WIFE.

Domestic drama with good performances but a hanging sense of staleness.

Yet another film to tackle the awkward alcohol problem, "When A Man Loves A Woman" hits and misses. What stands out among everything else is the lead performances from Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan. They both do terrific in their respective roles, Meg Ryan shedding her smiley rom-com image, but they know that they are better than the material they have been given.While the film does keep you thoroughly engaged throughout, that made-for-TV image is just to hard to ignore. While the conlusion will probably leave you satisfied, it is perhaps to neat and tidy to leave you convinced. With the exception of the acting, there really isn't much else to remember here.Overall, "When A Man Loves A Woman" isn't a bad film but there is nothing particular to remember about it and it will probably go in one eye and out the other. 5.4/10.

A film definitely worth seeing!! :)

This movie is DEFINITELY worth seeing!!! The acting is spectacular! Everything Meg Ryan does....in my opinion is great...but she usually always plays the same kinds of characters. Not in this film...I think Ryan is at her best in this film!!! All of the actors...even the kids....are sooo natural...and so real! It is just such a moving film...I don't know how people can say it's not...

Very sweet, touching, romantic, and kind of heart-breaking

WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN, in my opinion, is a very sweet, touching, romantic, and kind of heart-breaking drama. I thought that Alice (Meg Ryan) looked absolutely beautiful in the fancy black dress she wore when she and Michael (Andy Garcia) went out for dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary. When she fell through the shower door while she was taking a shower, I got scared to death. This was because I thought she had died. Plus, Jess (Tina Majorino) was scared, too. In addition, she was severely injured. If I ever discovered my mother, or anyone in my family, that way, I'd call for help right away. Also, if you ask me, Amy (Lauren Tom) should have been a little more responsible while she was babysitting. Before I wrap this up, Id like to say, "If you ask me, WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN does, indeed, show you how alcoholism can truly affect a family. " Now, in conclusion, I recommend this movie to all you Andy Garcia or Meg Ryan fans who have not seen it. You're in for some tears and a good time, so, go to the video store, rent it or buy it, kick back with a friend, and watch it.

Alcohol is Poison!!!! Get help now!!!!

I am a recovering alcoholic. My husband & I first saw this movie June 12/05 at a detox center in Alaska where our vacation was cut very short due to my nervous system shutting down, due to several years of alcohol abuse. This movie was used in one of our classes in rehabilitation. We were facinated. It told our story. The movie is for the struggling alcoholic & for the loved ones involved. Everyone one is affected by this most crippling disease. This movie is a must "tool" for anyone especially new to sobriety. I even still watch it when I feel a need to. It is very real & most excellent.
Thank You
Bernadette

very real

as a person who has been there done that in a relationship with an addict, this movie stuck such a deep chord with me. i could totally relate to Michael's character throughout the entire movie. his natural inclination to just want to help and make it all go away is something that supporters of addicts all go through. we just want to wave the magic wand, hug our loved one and make it better. the emotion from both Michael and Alice is raw and they have an unbelievable connection on screen. you can feel his characters frustration as he struggles to connect with her and understand her after her time in the rehab facility. i remember so many times myself wondering why my loved one only felt comforted and supported being around others with the same affliction rather than by being with me. and there are so so so many people out there struggling with this very issue---maybe it can give them hope in all of this. this is definitely one of my favorite movies of all-time.

Heart-breakingly realistic - this is what love is all about!

I love this movie! Every time I watch it I feel so many more emotions than the time before. Watching it with someone you care about makes the movie even more realistic and heartbreaking. I watched it again recently and by the end both my boyfriend and I were crying. Their relationship was so real it made us open up to each other more than ever before.

Terrific film.

Great film about addiction! Not just romance, but how to help someone in need. Everyone needs to see this film again and again.The acting was amazing and the locations.You finish this movie wondering, and hopeful. The human spirit has such capacity for love and compassion, and our modern society such drive to deny and eliminate it. Wonderfully crafted performances by Meg and Andy. Good writing and direction. There are moments that echo right into our own lives, and humour that makes you smile with your soul. I wish all Hollywood films could be like this.What I also loved was the lack of profanity.

Its All About Love xoxo

The movie sucks you in and doesnt let go til the end!! It engrosses you in REAL LIFE, it tells a story that you can feel so close to home it brings tears to your eyes more than once. The first time I saw this movie was at a group meeting for alcoholics and the response was breathtaking it touches your soul and makes you feel the love and the pain and every other emotion possible. The title I must admit doesnt draw you to the movie because you figure *Oh just another romance with no point or purpose* but in reality there are both. This movie is one of my all time favorites and I would recommend it to anyone. Its not just a chick flick for all you guys out there:p Never Judge a book by its cover:)

A good movie!!!!

When A Man Loves A Woman is a movie about a teacher who is an alcoholic, meets a man who deeply loves her, and marries her. Throughout the movie, which is mostly depressing, her drinking gets more & more worse as she tries to struggle between her job, her children & her marriage. The reason I like this particular movie is because it shows very clearly how a couple's true love can stick together between very harsh times. Great acting by Andy Garcia as well as Meg Ryan & Ellen Burstyn. If your in the mood for a movie with a good touching story, good acting, but can stand seeing people suffering with alcoholism, then go rent this tonight! Not many know about this Meg Ryan movie, but if you think Meg Ryan can't act, or acts in only mushy gushy romantic comedies, then watch this movie, it'll prove you wrong.

Loved It

I saw this movie the first week when it came out and absolutely fell in love with it. My parents were alcoholics and seeing what the little girls had to go through is what made me cry so hard. I could see many reflections of my sister and I in Meg Ryan's daughters. Both her and Andy Garcia's performances were outstanding. I would recommend this movie if you have personally dealt with alcholism, or if you have been the victim of someone's abuse, because it helped me come to terms with some issues that I had been struggling with.

Beautiful...

This is one of the best loves stories of all time. Meg Ryan, for the first time shows how she has been do acting school. Until this film I can honestly say that Meg Ryan has not shown any diversity in her acting skills. However, this is a beautiful film and she plays the role convincingly. I was very impressed.

The chemistry between Meg and Andy Garcia is great. You can believe that these are two people that love eachother more than anything else in the world. I never cry in films but the pain that these two characters suffer is unbearable and these actors have to be given a pat on the back for their skill.

Andy Garcia is a beautiful actor and makes you believe every word he says. He makes the audience want to kiss it all better and conveys the pain in an amazing way. Like every man, he finds it hard to cry but knows what it is to cry.

The family on the whole work as a lovely team. Lets face it, the kids are extremely cute, and the older daughter is an amazing actress for her age, so thumbs up to her. Th film moved me and made me believe in a love that you don't find in many other films. Beautiful work from everyone...

an unusual Ryan outing

Normally Meg Ryan is in those annoying fluffy films playing her annoying fluffy character whose one vice is eating too many corn chips or watching too many romantic movies. Here, however, is a film that does show case her considerable acting talent, and her vices are slamming down a bottle of vodka before ten in the morning, slapping her kid around, hoarding prescription pills and harrassing the neighbours. This is an unexpected gem. I also have very personal reasons for loving this film, having watched it with a friend and having to miss the last five minutes to catch a train, then going to watch it all over again on the Champs Elysees in Paris just for the ending, and then watching the other night when it was screened late on tv, in that hour where they bung in movies they don't know what to do with, and was reminded of how good it is. It is the strength of characterisation that works so well, esp the two girls. The hurt of the elder girl when she says that she just wanted to tell her mum she'd done her homework is brilliantly conveyed. That smarting sense of injustice and incomprehension regarding the adult world and its hypocrises gets me every time. Andy Garcia bloody gorgeous too.

Fantastic movie! Garcia is wonderful!

I am 16 years old and female and initially I got this movie to watch because Andy Garcia is in it...I'm a HUGE fan. Once I started getting into the movie however, it really blew me away. This movie makes one realize the power of alcohol and how difficult it is to stop, even though you know what it is doing to yourself and others around you. This film really made me think and realize how truly grateful I should be about my own life.

Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia play a wonderful couple in this movie but I must say that I was most impressed with Garcia's role as Michael. He is a VERY versatile and extremely talented actor that makes any role appear to be himself. His portrayal of pain, dedication, and frustration are incredible. Even in his shortcomings, he is able to play them out admittedly instead of trying to be proud and try and hide them. I was truly touched.

This is a great movie.

This movie is accurate and dramatic, If you have been through a situation like this you can relate with this movie. I feel for the situation this movie portrays. My life had been the same way the little girls was for years and I absolutely love the fact that someone was smart enough to write a movie so accurate. You will be pleased if you watch this movie, believe me!! The actors in this movie especially Meg Ryan set a high standard for performance and did a wonderful job plating such a in depth role. Andy Garcia is wonderful as a supportive husband who loves his wife with so much life. He set a standard for husbands everywhere.