Customer Reviews

To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Having lost my wife under similiar circumstances, I experienced exactly What Peter Gallagher's acting expressed in this Film. His moving potrail of deep grief was so much like what I was experiencing it was chilling. The film did make me realize, that its time to move on.

This is a fantastic film, from the writing to directing to the score to the acting. Peter Gallagher is superb in conveying the torment and guilt felt by a widowed husband. This is a situation that occurs all over the world all the time-losing a loved one is probably the most trying event that any person can ever go through. It's perfectly paced. David Kelley is such a great writer, it's just a joy to let him take you on this ride.

People compare this film to the play too much. They're completely different, theater is much more dialogue, film much more visual. I read the play after seeing the movie first, and although I'm always tainted by what I see first, I still feel the film is better. The characters aren't shallow in the film-they're just what's needed for how many of them there are.

I can't imagine what it's like to lose someone you love. I'm sure I will someday, but after watching this film you'll see how it can drive someone nearly mad trying to move on with their lives. A beautiful achievement.

Here's the thing about this movie: He knows she's dead. A lot of the other reviewers here seem to forget that he acknowledges she's dead but that doesn't matter. She is dead but not gone. For some people, that statement sounds like some kind of sacchrine line to calm children. Sometimes it's the truth, though, and that's what this movie is about.

The movie does take itself seriously, but the subject IS serious. This is a solid movie, it's not a great film. Taking yourself seriously is not the same as claiming greatness. David Kelly is a capable director and the cast has chemistry and participate in the telling of a good story. That's it. It's a good story, and a fine film.

This film is very moving. It will remind any viewer not to take their loved ones for granted. The film gets you thinking about how to prepare and makes you ask yourself, how will I react when I lose the love of my life. Enjoy!

Although very much a chick flick and very much lampooned by other reviewers, I found this a very entertaining and deep movie. Yeah, its a tearjerker, yeah, it has some standard soap opera situations in it, but the interweaving of the returning ghost and the soul searching of the characters might make you take a good look at your own life. I loved it.

I'm a sucker for summery, "beachy" movies--especially ones taking place in New England! Besides the great scenery and summer nostalgia, this movie offers a look at a young girl's (Claire Danes) coming of age. Not only does Dane's character have to deal with first love and the haunting memory of her mother who died two years before, but she must also sympathize with her widowed father whose been left traumatized by his wife's death. Overcoming death, though, does not turn this movie into a sad drama. There's plenty of laughs along the way, including Peter Gallagher's reaction to his daughter dating a boy with a pierced nose (played by Freddie Prinze Jr.) There's also a cute karaoke scene and for the male viewers there's Claire Danes in a thong. Claire Danes is excellent in this movie, as usual! If you're in the mood for a day at the beach, stay home and rent this instead!

Although the movie is slow moving, the plot is great and keeps your attention. Claire Danes plays the daughter of a man who still "believes" his deacesed wife (Jillian) is still alive. He "talks" to his dead wife every night on the beach, believing his hallucinations are real, creating emotional troubles for his daughter. That sums up 95% of the movie, so in respect for Amazon, i will not give away any more. But i will tell you it is very emotional and warm-hearted. So buy this movie for any "birthday" occasion, and celebrate!

I watched this movie simply because I love Claire Danes, and was rather suprised by how moved I was by this movie. Claire Danes is WONDERFUL, and the story is very moving and believable. I've seen this movie 3 times and I recommend it to anyone who's looking for a sad, moving family drama.

Fast shipping. DVD in excellent condition. Very pleased. Loved the movie and wanted to add it to my library at a reasonable price. Succeeded in doing that by shopping Amazon. Love shopping with Amazon and it's great sellers. I find products at Amazon I have not been able to locate at other websites. I have not been disappointed even once. I have it in my favorites and have often told others "you can usually find anything you want at Amazon".

An easy to watch drama (with some comedy) that is sweet but thankfully not the "over the top sweet" these kinds of movies often become. It's a simple engaging story that is very easy to relate to since the movie tackled subjects like loneliness, moving on, and connections in an amusing and ultimately heartwarming way.

Peter Gallagher stars as David who after 2 years of his wife's death Gillian (played by the gorgeous Michelle Pfeiffer) due to a boating accident still cannot seem to accept the fact that she's gone. In fact when no one is watching he still interacts with her dead wife like she was still alive. That causes a conflict with his daughter who was having a hard time dealing with her mom's death because her father doesn't seem to acknowledge that her wife is already dead. Kathy Baker played Gillian's sister who wants to take her daughter since she doesn't think that David was capable of raising his daughter.

Peter Gallagher gave a great performance. He gets to butcher the song "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing", compete with a nine year old in building a sand castle contest, and he gets to play the heartbroken man who was so in love with his wife he doesn't want to let go. It was a great part for him. Claire Danes once again showed her sensitivity as an actress as she realistically portrayed the aches of her character. Michelle Pfeiffer in a semi cameo role was luminous, in the few scenes she was in she lights up the screen like a goddess.

Towards the end of the movie, the supposedly rational Kathy Baker and Bruce Altman after giving lectures on practicality, responsibility etc. and how talking to your dead wife is silly, were both secretly jealous that they don't have that kind of passion for each other.
It's those kinds of moment that elevate this film into just another romance movie.

Grade: B+