Falling in Loveby Anonymous

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December 08, 2006: "Falling In Love" deserve it’s fair share of attention and fame. If you are into complete 100% realism, then you would have a bone to pick with this film. I mean true love... if you believe in love at first sight you could probably believe that two strangers' chance meeting could be the beginning of something beautiful. Or if hardened by cynicism, you'd probably say, nay it'd never happen --it's just boredom in life's routine. But one thing that can't be ignored is the acting. Any two actors might've played Frank and Molly in this low-keyed way (and been as good), but it is the fact it's De Niro and Streep together (reunited from "The Deer Hunter") that keeps the picture watch able. The minimal mundane dialogue and what they did with the material was a moving portrayal in this film. Ms. Streep portrays Molly Gillmore, a doctor's wife and commercial artist and De Niro, Frank Raftis, a construction foreman, husband and father of two young boys. Fate brings the two together on a Metro North commuter train from Westchester County into Manhattan, in New York. Molly and Frank are good, moral suburbanites who just happen to be "Falling In Love," all the time struggling to remain loyal to their respective families. Maryl Streep, to me mainly, has done her part on this film. She is not only natural and luminous, but you even don't think that she's acting! She's lived this whole life through! The way she's hesitating whether she should stop the affair with a married man (DeNiro) or just let it all be. The way she struggles herself and this new feeling that doesn't allow her to lead her normal life anymore is believable as well. You won't doubt a minute that she's feeling all this. As for De Niro even though he’s an actor he always embodies such charisma and sex appeal, he’s able to carry himself as such a regular simple man-all that there is to him is that he is in love with a married woman other than his wife. I also liked how the film does not try to justify adultery at the same time. There are some nice nostalgia vis-a-vis sumptuous New York winter bustle scenes of Grand Central Station, Rizzoli's on Fifth Ave, hot dog vendors, high-eighties hair and clothing fashions. The score by Dave Grusin (Mountain Dance) completed this movie and is just amazing till this day. "Falling In Love" is a rather sweet but serious film that paints a very realistic portrait of marriage and infidelity. If you are a fan of either actor, this is a must-see.

This review was written about the DVD Wide Screen / Dolby 5.1 / Mono edition.