When a Man Loves a Woman
When a Man Loves a Woman

When a Man Loves a Woman

1994Movie126 minEnglish

An airline pilot and his wife are forced to face the consequences of her alcoholism when her addictions threaten her life and their daughter's safety. While the woman enters detox, her husband must face the truth of his enabling behavior.

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes55%
Metacritic57/100
Google Users79%
Director: Luis MandokiGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Alice Green is a devoted mother and wife, but her life begins to unravel as her severe alcoholism takes over, jeopardizing her family and marriage. Her husband, Michael, struggles to cope with her addiction and its devastating effects, eventually taking on the primary role of parenting their two young daughters. The film follows their painful journey through Alice's attempts at recovery, highlighting the immense strength required from both individuals and the family unit to overcome such a profound challenge.

Critical Reception

When a Man Loves a Woman received generally positive reviews, with particular praise directed at the performances of Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia for their raw and emotional portrayals of a couple navigating the complexities of addiction and its impact on their relationship. While some critics found the subject matter heavy, the film was largely commended for its sensitive and realistic depiction of alcoholism and its effects on a family.

What Reviewers Say

  • Meg Ryan delivers a powerful and heartbreaking performance as an alcoholic wife.
  • Andy Garcia provides a strong and empathetic portrayal of a husband dealing with his wife's addiction.
  • The film is a sensitive and realistic examination of a family's struggle with alcoholism.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the emotional depth and realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by a family dealing with addiction. Many viewers connected with the raw performances and the hopeful message of recovery, though some found the subject matter difficult to watch.

Fun Fact

Meg Ryan's portrayal of Alice Green was a significant departure from her more typical romantic comedy roles, and she underwent extensive research and preparation to authentically capture the struggles of an alcoholic.

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