Falling in Love (1984)

Director:

Ulu Grosbard

Writer:

Michael Cristofer (written by)

Release Date:

21 November 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

During shopping for Christmas, Frank and Molly run into each other. This fleeting short moment will start to change their lives...

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Train | Guilt | Three Word Title | New York City

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Robert De Niro	...	Frank Raftis
Meryl Streep	...	Molly Gilmore
Harvey Keitel	...	Ed Lasky
Jane Kaczmarek	...	Ann Raftis
George Martin	...	John Trainer
David Clennon	...	Brian Gilmore
Dianne Wiest	...	Isabelle
Victor Argo	...	Victor Rawlins
Wiley Earl	...	Mike Raftis
Jesse Bradford	...	Joe Raftis
Chevi Colton	...	Elevator Woman
Richard Giza	...	Salesman
Frances Conroy	...	Waitress
James Ryan	...	Cashier
Sonny Abagnale	...	Tow Truck Driver

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Australia:PG | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Norway:11 | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardsley, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Metro North Commuter Railroad changed its name several years ago and is now simply known as Metro North Railroad.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: During several exterior Metro North run-by's, the film sequences are shown inverted. Trains coming towards the camera should run on the viewers left (as trains and cars both drive on the right in the US) and the motorman's front window should be on the viewers left, as seen in the sequences shot in Grand Central Terminal.

Movie Connections:

References Brief Encounter (1945)

Soundtrack:

Sleigh Ride

Brief Encounter in Manhattan

I've read reviews and articles from its day dismissing this moving as a waster of two major talents. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, all of those comments appear short sighted if not just inaccurate. True, the film is an "hommage" to David Lean's "Brief Encounter" and I don't think anybody can deny that. The word "hommage" may be arguable but the concept isn't it. Streep is a feast to the eyes and ears. She was then and she is now. She constructs something memorable out something quite ordinary. De Niro falls into place but it's hard to divorce him from his well established film persona. Is this Travis? So clean? I fell into their Brief Encounter situation head on and enjoyed it thoroughly. In particular the first 45 minutes when their lives are starting to connect but before the actual connection. My favorite part? Meryl for the first time waiting for him in the train, looking out of the window to catch a glimpse. The juxtaposition of her thoughts it's dizzying, wonderful and worth the entire film.