This was actually pretty good and Richard Gere and Lena Olin shine in this. If you ever have known anyone with bi-polar diseases, then you can relate to this. Definitely, worth a watch!
Leah G. (Leahbelle) from NIPOMO, CA Reviewed on 10/4/2015...
Richard Gere's acting in this movie should have won him an academy award! Good movie.
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Shirl P. (busfaretokentucky) Reviewed on 11/10/2014...
Richard Gere at his best! Funny and heartbreaking. Well worth watching.
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Loretta B. (bellorri) Reviewed on 10/2/2008...
Richard Gere is excellent in his character,totally believable.A little difficult due to subject matter but extremely well acted by all.Maybe that is why it is difficult, the main character is manic deppressive and it is heartbreaking as well as hopeful.
5 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Excellent with many funny, touching moments
lester williams | Live Oak, California United States | 06/11/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm M-D so take that into consideration. Gere doesn't get enough credit for his acting because he has his own persona like John Wayne and critics can't get over this. His is an outstanding performance, trust me. Lena is my favorite actress to watch and listen to so factor that in also. There are just so many funny scenes in this movie! (And a few oddities; Gere is no carpenter--you hammer nails with your wrist, not your arm.) Fun moments: Gere quoting from Alice In Wonderland while playfully teasing Olin's stock psychologist demeanor, the dialogue in and around the car ride, the table tennis sequence is priceless, in fact all of the dialogue between these two excellent actors is worth watching. Two outstanding dramatic moments are 1)the point of Gere's discovery of Olin's prying into his past(and catching him in a chilling lie)and 2)the subsequent confrontation in the rain; this is Olin at her--or anyone's--best...economical and searing. The only major misfire in this movie is the sexual involvement...should have been platonic but this is easily one of Hollywood's best efforts from the 1990s. I bought it. Aaaahhh, Leeena!! Yum"
Wonderful movie about a fascinating mental disorder
jcolean | Falls Church, VA USA | 08/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am a fan of Richard Gere, and I came across this gem a few years ago by word of mouth. This is a wonderful movie that tackles a thorny mental disorder that is receiving much attention today -- bi-polar, manic depressive disorder. It seems that bi-polar sufferers, despite their having a classified "mental disorder", are often exceptionaly creative, brilliant individuals. Many of our great artists, writers, painters, and musicians were (are) manic. Mr. Gere does a fantastic job of portraying such a brilliant/unstable manic sufferer, and really brings the disorder, with all of its twists and turns, to life. The story is true to the struggles and realities of manic sufferers, and uses wonderful images of planes crashing overhead, tightrope walks, and grandiose symphonies that metaphorize what it must be link to be manic. The story veers only in its hollywood insistence on the highly unlikely patient-therapist romance.Five stars for a compelling and original performance by Richard Gere, and a movie that brings to light the fascinating and devestating consequences of manic depression."
Funny, Charming and Romantic
Carlos Rodriguez | 06/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a pretty good movie I thought. Richard Gere plays Mr.Jones a man who suffers from manic depression who has suicidal tendencies. When I saw it I thought this is one of Richard Gere's best performances in a long time. He really did a great job and it is probably the best acting that I've seen him do in quite awhile. Lena Olin is also very good as the psychiatrist who takes an interest in him both as a patient and in the personal sense. I really liked this movie and have added to my movie collection. It is one of those rare movies that you can see just about anytime. Overall is a good movie but if you need more convincing than that then see it beause of Richard Gere he is excellent in this film and that should be reason enough I think."
Surprise :)
Carlos Rodriguez | 12/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie looks as though it will be another one of those trite, over-simplified stories of a mentally ill man. Surprise! Barring the Hollywood idea that all therapists sleep with their patients, this is a great movie that accurately depicts a serious and complex mental illness. I will say that were a therapist to become romantically involved it would probably be with a bipolar patient because their manic cycle is so exciting and exhilirating after endless lifeless burdened people. Gere is astoundingly accurate in his portrayal of both the manic and depressive cycle of bipolar - impressive. A great movie!!!"
Love element took away from Gere's performance!
Shelly | Atlanta, GA USA | 09/28/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Gere is great at portraying the extremes of bi-polar disorder, but the film is lacking in two major areas. One is the boring doctor/patient relationship and the other is the fact that bi-polar patients also exhibit weeks, months, and even years of "normal" behavior. I wish the film dealt more with the difficulties of having relationships with family, friends, and lovers. Bi-polar disorder is a serious one and medication is a must in order to balance yourself. The movie should have shown some of the struggles of finding the right medication for it."