Falling in Love
Short description
Falling in Love follows Frank Raftis, a construction engineer, and Molly Gilmore, a book illustrator, both married, who meet by chance while doing their Christmas shopping. They bump into each other, their packages spill, and they part without exchanging names. When they later realize some gifts were mixed up, it gives them a reason to see each other again. Their paths keep crossing on the commuter train between Dobbs Ferry and Manhattan, and a casual acquaintance slowly turns into something neither of them expected. Both are committed to their families, and their growing feelings force them to weigh what they have against what they feel for each other.
The film was directed by Ulu Grosbard, his third feature after Straight Time and True Confessions, from a screenplay by Michael Cristofer. Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep play the two leads, with Harvey Keitel, Jane Kaczmarek, George Martin and David Clennon in supporting roles.
Released in November 1984 by Paramount, the film had a budget of about 12 million dollars and took in roughly 11 million worldwide. On IMDb it holds a rating of 6.5 from almost 15,000 votes, and on TMDB it sits at 6.6 from a much smaller number of votes. The critics' rating stands at 5.3 from 13 reviews, below the audience scores.
What's left behind the scenes
- Director Ulu Grosbard later shared that Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep were very helpful with the script. For two months, they met with Grosbard and screenwriter Michael Christopher once a week to share their thoughts and suggestions regarding the screenplay.
- Meryl Streep (who played Molly Gilmore) recounted that years later, while watching the film with her children, one of them asked how it all ends, and she was forced to admit that she didn't remember.
- Jane Fonda and Jessica Lange were considered for the role of Molly Gilmore at one time or another.
- Paramount Pictures head Michael Eisner was unhappy with the screenplay written by Michael Christopher, as well as the star-studded casting of Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep. Eisner ordered the script to be rewritten and agreed that some scenes could be filmed in New York during the Christmas holidays, but stated that if the rewritten script did not satisfy him, he would put production on hold.
- For several weeks, filming took place at night at New York's Grand Central Terminal—exclusively during the gaps between the rush hour passenger crowds.
- Paramount Pictures executives sent the film's script to various directors with an offer to direct it, including Alan Alda, James Bridges, James L. Brooks, Taylor Hackford, Sidney Lumet, and Robert Redford.
- Robert De Niro (who played Frank) cared deeply about the authenticity of what happened on screen. He ordered business cards for his character, even though they never appear in the film. He also asked screenwriter Michael Christopher to write lines for his character's wife (whom he speaks to on the phone and who never appears on screen), even though the audience would not hear them.
- Filming took place at the Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan over the course of three days and nights. Thanks to the layout of the sales floors, the store remained open for business throughout this time—filming occurred in some sections while customers continued to shop in others.
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