MovieChat Forums > Falling in Love (1984) Discussion > They were so happy with their spouses...

They were so happy with their spouses...

posted 9 years ago by prolia705
6 replies | jump to latest

They both seem like shallow people that have extraordinary actors giving them more credit with the audience that they deserve.

Deniro has a beautiful, loving wife and 2 little kids but he dives into an emotional affair with this stranger and throws away a perfectly good family for nothing.

Streeps's husband is devoted and kindhearted but she drops him without any regard for his feelings. When her father dies she is more concerned with her would be lover than him. She runs away like an immature teenager.

If the luminous Streep and charismatic Deniro were not in the lead roles this movie wouldn't have a chance.

The script is underwritten and the main characters seem like disloyal jerks.

Even the 2 greatest actors of their generation can't make me root for them overall but it is an interesting curio from the 80's. They both infuse their roles with charm even if the script lets them down.

Incidentally, the movie only really comes to life when Jane Kasmareck lets him have it in her brief scene at the end.

[–] IdaRose 9 years ago

Totally agree.

[–] shirleyp92 9 years ago

I got the impression that Streep's husband was a bit distant and unfeeling. Molly described to Frank how, after her baby died at 5 days old, she was deeply affected and her doctor husband also felt a little to blame. Molly suggested to try to conceive again, then the conversation trailed. It seems there was some deep-rooted lack of intimacy. Also, when Streep wanted to bail on plans with friends the Christmas afternoon she asked her husband to break plans because they "never spend time alone" and he sort of let her take reigns and dismissed himself from the discussion. I think Streep and her husband had an opportunity to bond and be closer after their baby's death but instead, their connection fell apart entirely. But, probably the most telling scene of all, was when Molly broke down at her father's funeral. Why would her husband pull her away like that? I felt like Molly cried not only from grief that her father (whom she appeared to be close to) had passed, and she had missed being present with him during his final days, but also cried in agony for wanting out in that hole of despair her husband seemed to live for.

I mean, Frank had warmth and he was engaging and in the moment. On the flip side, I don't know why Frank disengaged from his kids and wife.

[–] bittenhoney 8 years ago

I agree. It was obvious that both of them had fallen out of love with their spouses before even meeting each other. People stay for longer than they should because it's familiar and divorce is so messy. I felt bad for his wife and two kids though. She was blindsided.

[–] elvisleeboy 8 years ago

I'm a huge De Niro fan, and it's very rare that I find myself watching one of his films and wondering if I can stick it out to the end. If it weren't for him and Streep, this film would show more clearly its true colours as a superficial, cliche ridden and rather pointless story. Their acting and the beautiful musical score belong in a much better film. I can't understand why either of them said yes to this, other than the appeal of working together and trying something different, but it's really flimsy stuff.

[–] mmitsos-1 8 years ago

I disagree witheveryone here. I thi k dee down they WERE unhapy in their marriages and, in turn, because there was mutual attraction and friendliness and coincidence that they actually bumped into each other AGAIN right after their first encounter made their interests inveach other peak. I liked Molly's sensitive husbamnd,but, I think after her miscarriage, they probably did grow apart from each other. As for DiNiro's marriage, he did seem happily married and to beca family man,who admitted to his friend he nevercheated before. I think he simply, for some reason, allowed himself to fall in lovecwith this other woman, who clearly peaked his interest.

It's typical that allthe dumb Americans on here thi k that this film had no redermingvquality othercthan its two stars. It did farbetterin Europe when it was first released thannit did in the US,precisely because toomany Americans simply don't like quiet, thoughtful, character-driven movies. It's been a nation of many
morons for 50 years.

[–] janetc20 7 years ago

Christmas morning, his wife said about the negligee that she "didn't expect anything so romantic" so comments like that might be a tip off that maybe they're focusing more on the kids and other things than their own relationship. And I totally agree with others have said about her marriage. It does not seem like these people are "so happy with their spouses" before meeting someone else.