Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and director Ulu Grosbard during the filming of “Falling in Love” (1984). 1 Paris, October 16, 2024
“Falling in Love” (1984) is a delicate and heartfelt romantic drama starring two of the most iconic actors of their generation, Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep. Directed by Ulu Grosbard, this film presents a nuanced and understated exploration of love, depicting how two ordinary people find themselves entangled in an unexpected emotional journey.
The plot revolves around Frank Raftis (De Niro) and Molly Gilmore (Streep), two married individuals living in New York. They meet by chance while Christmas shopping and accidentally exchange gifts. This small, seemingly insignificant encounter marks the beginning of a slow, natural connection. Their initial interactions are casual and platonic, but as they continue to run into each other, their relationship deepens into something far more profound to which they seem vulnerable and unprotected.
What makes this film stand out is the extraordinary way in which it portrays the process of falling in love. Rather than relying on grand gestures or manufactured drama, Falling in Love focuses on the subtleties of human interaction, which become almost obsessional. De Niro and Streep’s performances are key to this approach, offering an authentic portrayal of the evolving emotions between their characters. Their chemistry is understated but undeniable, perfectly capturing the gradual buildup of attraction and emotional connection.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its genuine depiction of love as something that can develop naturally, without being forced. Frank and Molly do not actively pursue each other; rather, their bond grows out of the ordinary moments they share, such as riding the train together or discussing everyday life. This gradual, almost accidental process of falling in love makes their connection feel all the more real and relatable to the audience. There is no manipulation or artificial acceleration of their feelings, which makes the moments of emotional intensity even more powerful when they do occur.
Falling in Love also succeeds in portraying the complexities of love, particularly in the context of their existing marriages. Both Frank and Molly are not looking for an affair or to leave their spouses, which adds a layer of internal conflict to their growing feelings for each other. The film emphasizes the internal struggle they face between the pull of this new connection and their loyalty to their respective partners. This is an essential aspect of the film’s authenticity, showing that love is not always straightforward or easy, but rather full of difficult choices and emotional turbulence, which make them incapable of escaping the sentiment that becomes more and more obsessional, to the point they can’t stop thinking about each other even when they try to be reasonable and loyal.
Ultimately, Falling in Love is a masterful exploration of the delicate and complex nature of love. De Niro and Streep bring a raw authenticity to their roles, making the film a poignant and truthful representation of the emotional journey that is falling in love—where “falling,” as the verb expresses it so masterfully, happens almost without asking for individual permission. It becomes obsessional, independent of personal desire. Love is a destiny that one cannot truly stop.