When a Man Loves a Woman

Director: Luis Mandoki, Garry Marshall Luis Mandoki

Overview

"Luis Mandoki's addiction drama When a Man Loves a Woman comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. An English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital Stereo. There are no subtitles, but the English soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials are limited to the theatrical trailer. Disney/Buena Vista has done a fair job on this release. The film looks and sounds fine, but there is nothing outstanding about the DVD."

Product Details

Release Date:	02/15/2000
UPC:	0717951005465
Original Release:	1994
Rating:	R
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[stereo, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	2:06:00
Sales rank:	17,222

Special Features

Theatrical trailer; French-language track; 2.0 Dolby Surround; Widescreen [1.85:1]

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Andy García	Michael Green
Meg Ryan	Alice Green
Tina Majorino	Jessica Green
Philip Seymour Hoffman	Gary
Lauren Toms	Amy
Mae Whitman	Casey Green
Ellen Burstyn	Emily
Eugene Roche	Walter
Gail Stricklands	Pam
Steve Brill	Madras Tie Guy
Susanna Thompson	Janet
Erinn Canavan	Shannon
LaTanya Richardson	Dr. Gina Mendez
Bari K. Willerford	Malcolm
James Jude Courtney	Earl
Jacques De Groot	Guy in the Back
Anne Ohliger	Jess - 4 Yrs. Old
Tony Montero	Bartender
Cynthia Mace	De-tox Nurse
Jennie Yee	Vu
William Frankfather	Al-anon Leader
Ellen Geer	Woman at Al-Anon
Angelina Fiordellisi	Joanna
Elizabeth Lang	AA Woman
Syd Field	Patient #1
Peer Ebbighausen	Patient #2
Ronald Bass	AA Man #1
Joseph Drago	AA Man #2
Andrew Magarian	AA Man #3
Amy Treese	AA Woman #2
Brandis Kemp	AA Woman #3
Judith Friend	AA Woman #4
Deana Kobrynski	AA Woman #5
Rico E. Anderson	Barfly
Richard Bradford	Angry Man Watching TV
Al Franken	Co-Pilot
Reed Rudy	Angry Guy
Joseph Quinn Simpkins	Barfly
Garth Craven	Actor
Amanda Mackey Johnson	Actor
Cathy Sandrich	Actor
Lauren Tom	Actor
Bette Midler	Actor
Barbara Hershey	Actor
John Heard	Actor
Spalding Gray	Actor
Zbigniew Preisner	Composer

Technical Credits

Ronald Bass

Al Franken

Susan Shilliday

Luis Mandoki	Director
Ronald Bass	Screenwriter,Executive Producer
Al Franken	Screenwriter,Executive Producer,Producer
Jon Avnet	Producer
Jordan Kerner	Producer
Simon Maslow	Executive Producer,Producer
Cathy Sandrich	Casting
Susan Shilliday	Screenwriter
Thomas D. Causey	Sound/Sound Designer
Garry Marshall	Director

Editorial Reviews

Luis Mandoki's exploration of a woman's struggle with alcoholism and the effect of the disease on her family is a thoughtful variation on an overly familiar theme. Meg Ryan stars as the woman whose long-concealed drinking habit worsens, threatening her marriage and family life. While acknowledging the significance of the grueling recovery process, the film instead concentrates on the difficulties of the woman's loving and attentive husband (Andy Garcia) in coming to grips with his now partially recovered wife, who had previously taken a more passive role in their marriage. Employing two such attractive stars and placing them in idyllic surroundings might seem a typical Hollywood tactic to soften a painful tale, but it also functions as a reminder that no one is immune from such suffering. As Garcia attempts to relinquish his authoritarian role, the film transcends the issue of alcoholism, and the couple begin the difficult process of honest communication which lies at the heart of any marriage. Ryan avoids excess and melodrama in the creation of a moving and credible character, and Garcia is also excellent as the "in-control" airline pilot learning to navigate a new emotional territory.