Fun
Someone Else’s Movie
Dear Ann,
I’ve just been down a long, winding, and very enjoyable rabbit hole that started with a tweet by Kate Atherley:
She was referring to Someone Else’s Movie, a podcast hosted (genially) by Norm Wilner.
I saw the 1990 Anthony Minghella movie Truly, Madly, Deeply over 10 years ago. I caught it on TV, in passing. It is one of my favorite movies, because it does one of my favorite things: persuade me to suspend my firm disbelief in visitations from the beyond, time travel and stuff like that. When a book or movie can make such miracles plausible, I can’t resist it. As Kate points out, ugly crying may result, and there is no catharsis like an ugly cry.
Norm Wilner’s conversation with Carsten Knox got me totally on fire again about Truly, Madly, Deeply. Since these two actually know a lot about this movie, other work by the director and actors, and movies in general, they pointed out details and connections I’d never known. It’s all more resonant with the perspective we have now: both Alan Rickman and director Anthony Minghella died before they finished their work here.
After listening to the podcast, I went skidding around the internet, trying to find a way to watch the movie again online. This is impossible at the moment, at least from a computer in the United States. I ended up watching a YouTube chop shop version that was missing 2 of its 9 segments. (It’s there, but I don’t recommend it.) Even in that sorry state, though, the movie was as moving and funny as I remembered, and greatly enhanced by having listened to the podcast. (Knitwear bonus: good 1990s silhouettes and one floral cardigan of a style that no one who was alive then will admit to now, but they totally had one.)
Googling around on the Imdb and whatnot (always more refreshing than sleep), I learned that there is a direct connection between Truly, Madly, Deeply and the British TV series River, another favorite in the magical-thinking genre, which was deeply satisfying.
Also, TMD’s love interest Mark was played by Michael Maloney, who played the Dauphin of France in Kenneth Branagh’s film of Henry V, and also had a juicy role in River. This was worth staying up for, all by itself.
All of this took almost 3 hours, during which I made great progress on my log cabin pullover. I call that a very productive rabbit hole.
In conclusion: I look forward to listening to more episodes of Someone Else’s Movie. I rate it 4/4, will ugly-cry again.
Love,
Kay
Kay, we must be sisters from another Mother! Before I comment about your current post I must thank you profusely for introducing me to the Moth Radio hour. I listened to my first MRH earlier this week and found myself laughing out loud during my morning walk (knitting came later in the day) such delightful storytelling. Now onto Truly, Madly, Deeply which I’ve not had the pleasure to watch (but will certainly try and figure out how to) though I was smitten with River and am certain that I will find TMD to be of the same quality. Toodles and happy watching!
I located a copy of ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ at the library … such a great movie. Such a loss as well. And a great, ugly cry.
I saw TMD recently as our library had a copy.
Time to rewatch TMF. Just spent the week with Michael Maloney in “The Five” on Netflix.
I love Truly Madly Deeply. One of the things I remember most about it is that there was ugly crying in the movie, no delicate sniffing and beautiful tears that don’t make the face puffy. Must find this podcast.
Love this movie!!!!!! One of my all time favorites.
Watched this because of a recommendation way back in the Block Buster days. I remember that afterwards I marked in my diary, “I am in love with Alan Rickman”.
I adore that movie. Alan Rickman makes warming up your lips the sexiest thing ever. And speaking of ugly crying, Juliet Stevenson’s breakdown in the therapist’s office is the most authentic grief I’ve ever seen onscreen. Ever.
Michael Maloney is a Branagh favorite. He plays the lead in A Winter’s Tale, a lovely little black and white movie about an actor directing Hamlet (and playing the lead) with a motley crew of crazies and has-beens. Branagh directed it about a year before he filmed Hamlet, in which he cast Maloney as Laertes. Also in the cast: Nicholas Farrell, playing Laertes. Branagh moved him to Horatio for his film of Hamlet. It makes a great (if long) double feature to watch Branagh’s ideas about the play develop.
Sorry for the long post–I adore Maloney (and Farrell and Branagh, and my beloved Alan) and I loved your article. Can’t wait to check out the podcast!
Oh Kay, that movie (Truly, Madly, Deeply) still breaks my heart. I wouldn’t be able to see my knitting through my tears. I lost my mom at 8 1/2 and it still hurts. I am freaking 64, LOL:)
I bought a DVD of Truly Madly Deeply because I couldn’t find it online anywhere. Come for a visit and we can watch it, surrounded by WIPs and tissues!