MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
ireneph | AUSTRALIA | 01/15/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I found this movie absolutely fascinating;the story was a typical romance. It explored the human emotion and curiosity that we all feel when we find an insight into another person's relationship. Kevin Costner was your typical man of the sea and portrayed a man not ready to move on with his life after the tragic loss of his partner. It took someone like Robyn Penn Wright to stir the deeply hidden emotions but even then she could not compare to his lost love. She gave him inspiration and made him dig deep to find his true self. Paul Newman was superb as the crusty kindly father and without his inclusion in the film, be it as a supporting role, a lot of the emotion would hasve been lost. The pain suffered by the inlaws at the loss of their daughter was so true to life when someone they love dies so tragically. All in all the scenery was superb and the DVD is recommended"
"Jackets like that don't come along every week, you know..."
L Gontzes | Athens, Greece | 04/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Message in a Bottle, brings to the screen the love story between a recently widowed man from a small fishing village in North Carolina and a divorced journalist out of Chicago.
It is a film about human relations, hope and second chances, but most importantly about trust, love, and inner strength.
Kevin Costner, Robin Wright Penn, Paul Newman, and the rest of the cast, have truly outdone themselves with their performances, which are exceptional to say the least! All the actors, without exceptions, give it their 100% and it really shows (the chemistry is AMAZING)! Very well written and very well presented, the movie is without a doubt guaranteed to provide a few laughs, not to mention a few tears. The film is simple enough, but does a great job of describing people's every day lives and the problems they face. It just goes to show that simplicity is often far better than complexity, when trying to present issues of a human nature.
The only setbacks are in relation to some weak lines that Robbie Coltrane's character has to say, and also in relation to the little boy; is there really any reason why the boy has to look like a girl???
The setting, the plot, the dialogues and the music are all wonderful!
In short, Message in a Bottle is a movie definitely worth watching and one to seriously consider adding to your movie collection! 4½ Stars
"
A Beautiful, Haunting Film
Sharon Y. Towner | Little Rock, AR USA | 04/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Right from the very first scene, the viewer senses something extraordinary is about to take place...and it does. Unlike most films today, this one centers upon genuine love - not lust - between two lonely people. Kevin Costner portrays Garrett Blake, a seagoing boat renovator and a widower of two years who cannot let go of the past. Robin Wright-Penn plays Theresa, a research specialists for the Chicago Tribune and a divorcee with a young son. While taking a few days holiday she discovers Garrett's message of love to his deceased wife in a bottle that washed up to shore. Haunted by the letter, she uses her research skills, along with the help of the Chicago newspaper staff, to track Garrett down. The shy awkwardness the two characters exhibit when they're together is refreshingly charming and very realistic. In spite of their lack of finesse, a sensitive, beautiful love story begins to take hold that is destined to pierce the viewer's heart. With the memory of his late wife, Catherine, constantly overshadowing their relationship, Garrett and Theresa continue to draw closer to one another and fall deeper in love. Their story concludes, however, with a surprising twist. Paul Newman, who portrays Garrett's father (Dodge), remains a master of his trade. Coarse, and brutally honest, Dodge's love for his son, and approval of the new woman on the scene, is heartwarming. Newman's character proves to be a necessary anchor for the two lovers. With an exceptional supporting cast who enhance the tale, and beautifully filmed on the coast of Maine, "Message In A Bottle" is a sad love story, but it sends a powerful message to us all. May we never forget it."