Main Cast: Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Harvey Keitel, Jane Kaczmarek, George Martin
Release Year: 1984
Country: US
Run Time: 107 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
Falling in Love can be described as an urban American Brief Encounter. Reteamed for the first time since The Deer Hunter, Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep star as a married couple. Thing of it is, they're not married to each other. While Christmas shopping for their respective families, architect Frank Raftis (DeNiro) and graphic artist Molly Gilmore (Streep) "meet cute," their holiday packages becoming mixed up. What starts as a pleasant chance acquaintance blossoms into romance. Inevitably, however, both parties realize that what they're doing is wrong--a shade too late to save their marriages, as it turns out. The film ends with a bittersweet "one year later" coda. The natural charisma of its stars lends distinction to the otherwise so-so Falling in Love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Subtlety works great up to a point, but this relationship drama strives so hard to be subtle that it drags. Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro obviously know how to wring every little nuance from even an underwritten screenplay, but the picture's delicate ache grows wearisome after a while. Assisted by Ulu Grosbard's unobtrusive direction, Jane Kaczmarek and Harvey Keitel both make fine supporting turns. But only Dianne Wiest's free-spirited gal pal breaks out of the picture's muted emotional palette. Still, given the ubiquity of infidelity as a Hollywood theme, it's refreshing to see a film focus on the inner lives of its unfaithful protagonists rather than their bedroom pyrotechnics. Falling in Love isn't a masterful film by any stretch, but it is a quietly thoughtful one. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
David Clennon - Brian Gilmore; Dianne Wiest - Isabelle; Victor Argo - Victor Rawlins; Jesse Bradford - Joe Raftis; Clem Caserta - Taxi Driver; Frances Conroy - Waitress; Wiley Earl - Mike Raftis; Paul Herman - Engineer; Gerald M. Kline - 1st Man; John Ottavino - Construction Worker; Kenneth Welsh - Doctor; Chevi Colton - Elevator Woman; Florence Anglin - Saleslady; Yanni Sfinias - Hot Dog Vendor; Barry Smith - Usher; Richard Giza - Salesman; Sonny Abagnale - Tow Truck driver; George Barry - Conductor #1; L.P. McGlynn - Conductor #2; J.S. Klinetob - Conductor #3; John H. Reese - Taxi Driver #1; Donald R. Goodness - Minister; Mike Tremont - Architect; James Ryan - Cashier
Credit
Speed Hopkins - Art Director, Robert F. Colesberry - Associate Producer, Vito L. Ilardi - Boom Operator, Pat McCorkle - Casting, Juliet Taylor - Casting, Richard Bruno - Costume Designer, Thomas J. Mack - First Assistant Director, Ulu Grosbard - Director, Michael Kahn - Editor, J. Roy Helland - Hair Styles, Lyndell Quiyou - Hair Styles, Timothy M. Bourne - Location Manager, Dave Grusin - Composer (Music Score), J. Roy Helland - Makeup, Mickey Scott - Makeup, Tom Priestley Jr. - Camera Operator, Santo Loquasto - Production Designer, Peter Suschitzky - Cinematographer, Bobby Brown - Cinematographer, Robert F. Colesberry - Production Manager, Robert F. Colesberry - Producer, Marvin Worth - Producer, Steven Jordan - Set Designer, Les Lazarowitz - Sound/Sound Designer, Harry Madsen - Stunts, Annie Allman - Stunts, Jim Lovelett - Stunts, Daniel Dod - Stunts, Michael Cristofer - Screenwriter, Ernie Miscelli - Additional Cinematography, Bettiann Fishman - Production Assistant, David Kasparian - Production Assistant, David Sardi - Production Assistant, Claudette Didul - Production Assistant, Jean De Niro - Production Assistant, Tom Paolucci - Production Assistant, Randee Post - Production Assistant, Randi Rosen - Production Assistant, Peter Norman - Second Unit Camera, Gary S. Gerlich - Sound Effects Editor, Bill Wylie - Sound Effects Editor, Eric Myers - Unit Publicist, Richard Reis - First Assistant Camera, John W. DeBlau - Gaffer, James V. Gartland - Grip, Tom Prate - Key Grip, Else Blangsted - Music Editor, Bill Bishop - Properties, James Raitt - Properties Master, Robert Knudson - Re-Recording Mixer, Robert Glass - Re-Recording Mixer, Gary Alexander - Re-Recording Mixer, Heidi Stroh - Script Supervisor, James Chory - Second Assistant Director, Garrett Brown - Steadicam Operator, Lorey Sebastian - Still Photographer, Frank Warner - Supervising Sound Editor, J.Paul Huntsman - ADR Editor, Glenn Lloyd - Art Department Assistant, Richard Michael Miller - Assistant Art Director, Isis Mussenden - Assistant Costumer Designer, Judith Lynn Brown - Assistant Production Coordinator, Robert Prate - Best Boy Grip, Ron Petagna - Construction Coordinator, Alba Censoplano - Costumes Supervisor, William Loger - Costumes Supervisor, Paula Brody - DGA Intern, Sylvia Fay - Extra Casting, Martin Cohen - First Assistant Editor, Trudy Ship - First Assistant Editor, Andrea Justin - First Assistant Editor, Richard J. Rossi - First Assistant Editor, Nellie Nugiel - Production Accountant, Cosmo Sorice - Scenic Artist, David Weinman - Set Dresser, Howard A. Anderson Company - Title Design
Two married strangers meet randomly, become friends, and fall in love. They spend time together, riding the train into the city of New York, and begin meeting for coffee or lunch. They enjoy their time together and this enjoyment eventually blossoms into love.
