The film Truly, Madly, Deeply was released in 1991 in the USA by the British Broadcasting Company. At the time of its release, the film industry in the UK was focusing on films that showcased diversity. Anthony Minghella was a big part of this with his film. Even after his work in British films, the showings of this time were varied. There was something available for everyone, from a traditional show to an off-beat script. In 1997, there was The Full Monty comedy spoof and then, turn the corner to 1998 and here comes Shakespeare In Love. Anthony Minghella joined a huge trend coming from television to film during this high point. Anthony Minghella was very influential to the British film industry and he has proven himself, especially with his work on Truly, Madly, Deeply as both director and writer.
In his career, Anthony was highly successful as both director and writer. As a director, Minghella could show his own story exactly how he wished to portray it. In this film, Nina and Jamie are in love. The truest, purest kind of love that makes everything good in the world, better. That is until an accident of sorts causes Jamie’s death. Nina should attempt to move on with her life, but she cannot because Jamie has returned to her as a ghost. Actor, Alan Rickman, pulls off a dead cello player/ ghost perfectly and actress, Juliet Stevenson, is highly believable as a grieving woman with a slight link to the past. Overall the film makes one think about their own love and life. How would we really react in the same situations? One of the taglines for the film that is used in the film's trailers is “Be careful what you wish for... It just might come true.” and sums up the concept of the film perfectly.
The Bohemian London lifestyle main character, Nina, lives is directly related to how she feels. Nina is shown in a specific light throughout the film. She seems bereft of something, wanting to cling to Jamie, her dead lover, but still wishing for her own full life. The best portrayal of this comes in the following lines from the film.
Nina: “My feet shall long to go to the place where you are sleeping, but I shall go on living.”
Jamie: “Do you want me to leave?”
Nina: “No, never, never, never, never, never!”
Anthony wrote an amazing story of love, loss, and finding oneself even in the worst of circumstances. The way the writing takes the viewers from horrible sadness from Nina over Jamie, to the comedic concept of ghosts who love television is epic writing and wonderfully translated onscreen. Lizzie Francke, an article writer for Sight and Sound, says "Minghella's script and the performances are undeniably moving, and a tug at the heart strings..."
Anthony Minghella was an ambitious man with a great love for his work. It is sad to know that he passed away in 2008. In an obituary for this wonderful visionary, the authors quoted Mr. Minghella after an interview for The English Patient where he won Best Director. Anthony said he wanted to be a better writer and filmmaker. That he had made three movies and now he was going to try to make thirty-three. It was his determination to continue making films that inspired or showed a true story that allowed Anthony to continue after that third film. Although he never did reach his goal of thirty-three, Anthony gave an amazing effort and blessed us all with wonderfully directed, produced, and written films.
Overall, Anthony Minghella's memory should be honored for his amazing work. Anthony Minghella was very influential to the British film industry and he has proven himself, especially with his work on Truly, Madly, Deeply as both director and writer. Check out these scenes from the film so you can see the genius of his work.
It is now the job of those Anthony inspired to keep his concepts and ideals alive even in his death. Anthony Minghella has taught the world that wishing to make a difference through film is an amazing dream, but remember to smile along the way. Joy can be found in anything, especially when someone is there to see the joy, and it can spread.
