When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)

Simply Perfect

Don't listen to the negative reviews

A Masterpiece!

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

I saw this when it first came out. I thought it was a love movie. I took my girlfriend at the time. Didn't like it then. Then I saw it again cause I had to. Then I got the premise of the movie. Then going through life I saw it with open eyes. Sort of lived it. If you know what Im talking about, watch it. Maybe it will give perspective. At the end of the movie it give you hope. There are some great lines in the movie. when the little says " what is an alcoholic?" When Andy goes to meeting for the first time then the second time. Wow did that. The struggles of an alcoholic, didn't know then. Know something now. I think Meg plays this part great. The meeting in the movie really show the inside of AA.

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.

When everyone was wondering how a famous politician could not know his wife was a "closet alcoholic" we see a movie about the very subject. Was he an enabler, in denial and only when he saw his children in danger of his wife's behavior as a result of the drinking was he forced to face that she needed help, or was he truly ignorant of her problems? Was it more comfortable to let the status quo be and just try to go on? If this movie did not have Meg Ryan, playing against type, and Andy Garcia looking oh so handsome in uniform, and both giving wonderful performances, we would still have the very real story, that we have all seen with friends or family, and the wonderful child actors also giving outstanding performances. This film shows how facades can be maintained and all can look so good to the outsiders and those close enough to love the victims. This movie has it all. Beautiful people, living beautiful lives, and behind the scenes is an ugly addiction ready to rip apart all we see. Not wanting to ruin the film for those who have not seen it, I will say that this is one of those movies, that I watch no matter what section it is on when flicking the channels. it has it all, says it well and educates as well as entertains.

There are times when seeing a quality film for the second time that it does not stack up as well as it did the first time it was viewed. More often, I enjoy the film a little more on the second viewing due to being able to pick up certain subtle aspects that were not as evident on the first go around and on a few occasions, I find a film much more rewarding, as was the case with this particular film. I saw the film in the theater when it was originally released and although I thought it was a fairly good film and the performances by the two stars, Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia, were of a high quality, I was somewhat disappointed in the overall production. It may have been related to my having anticipated a romance that was not based on as much heart-ache and depressing circumstances.I saw it again recently, slightly over a decade later, and was able to view it from a slightly different perspective. The material, dealing with alcohol addiction, is not ground-breaking but is presented in a slightly unique fashion. The film depicts the downward spiral of the addicted woman, but also examines all the tragic consequences forced upon those closest to her. It involves the audience in the tragic and depressing situations that are imposed on the spouse, children, family and friends of the person with the addiction. It has a somewhat unique aspect, in that it examines how those closest to the alcoholic can inadvertently contribute to the problem while attempting to help their loved one recover from the addiction. Although they may have the best of intentions, they can sometimes magnify the conditions related to the problem.I think an IMDb rating of between 4 and 9 would seem appropriate for this intense emotionally charged drama. I personally gave it a 7 out of 10 and would highly recommend it for viewers that are not in the market for light or humorous entertainment.