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When a Man Loves a Woman

Play trailer Poster for When a Man Loves a Woman R Released Apr 29, 1994 2h 4m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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69% Tomatometer 99 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
A wife and mother of two daughters, Alice Green (Meg Ryan) has developed a severe drinking problem. While her husband, Michael (Andy Garcia), has been patient in dealing with this issue, it soon becomes clear that he has been enabling her alcoholism. When her addiction threatens her children's safety, Alice decides to enter a rehab clinic. Upon returning home, she finds that her new lifestyle causes an unexpected rift with Michael, leading to some soul-searching for the couple.
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When a Man Loves a Woman

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Critics Consensus

When a Man Loves a Woman delves into the complex dynamics of a marriage shadowed by addiction, aided by strong performances from Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan.

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Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Alcoholism has been called a disease of denial. What When a Man Loves a Woman understands is that those around the alcoholic often deny it, too, and grow accustomed to their relationship with a drunk. Rated: 4/4 Sep 1, 2023 Full Review Jack Mathews Newsday The performances of Ryan and Garcia and of the amazing 9-year-old Tina Majorino as daughter from an earlier marriage keep the story grounded in some semblance of reality. Rated: 3/4 Sep 1, 2023 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Andy Garcia conveys an almost glacial calm and fortitude beneath which a reservoir of boiling rage consistently seems to simmer. Rated: 3/4 Sep 1, 2023 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) The double catharsis is very moving and the ending is immensely honest... [Full review in Spanish] Sep 7, 2023 Full Review Jorge Cámara La Opinion A most respectable drama with magnificent performances from the stellar protagonists that tries to go beyond average movies about addiction. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 7, 2023 Full Review Augusto Martínez Torres El Pais (Spain) Mandoki lets the weight of the movie fall on his two excellent leads, while he slips away assembling long scenes between them that work very well, but interspersed unnecessarily with musical and touristic intermissions. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 7, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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152 windows into your sou l I just finished watching ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ – for the second time – and I have to say this movie is so much better the second time. Meg Ryan’s stunning beauty with those crystal blue eyes, makes it difficult to provide an unbiased review – but her performance in this film, deserves nothing less. You move from one painful scene to the next with no time to emotionally recover - finding yourself being drawn to this depressing story yet anticipating the next impending tragedy. The performances by all the actors in this movie were flawless, each one adding another layer to the story. Meg Ryan’s character, Alice, is an alcoholic and it makes you acutely aware of how essential a mother and wife is to a healthy home environment – her inability to function as neither – results in a chaotic existence for all those around her. Alice lives in an intensely guarded world that allows no one in. Michael played by Andy Garcia, a loving husband, tries to solve their problems, just as every husband would do using logic, unable to comprehend, his ‘solutions’ are making the divide between them even wider. The baby sitter, Amy, is placed in the middle of the chaos, having to fend off attacks from both Alice and Michael - finally having to leave to preserve her own sanity. The performance by the two young daughters, Jess and Casey, is surprisingly convincing – so much so – it makes you wonder how they are able to separate these ‘adult situations’ from real life at such a young age. The rehab scenes are quite compelling, providing a glimpse into how emotionally detached the addict is required to be – to conquer their addiction – and what a lonely existence that must be. It also depicts the strong relationships that are developed with fellow recovering addicts – bonds that can only be created through a shared experience. This is not the typical ‘feel good’ movie that you would associate with Meg Ryan and the tears are from the pain you can’t help but to feel. It’s truly impossible to watch this movie without becoming emotionally invested!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Ronald H Cloying to the point of nausea. The filmmakers chose Meg Ryan to play the drunk?!! I guess they wanted to make a cute movie about alcoholism. Give me a break. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/17/25 Full Review Rosana B Já me derreti toda com a trilha sonora, cenas lindas e fofinhas (como a do ovo), tão apaixonante e romântica, contratando com o drama pesado e real que vem logo a seguir... Meg Ryan está perfeita, mas a menininha esta divina, que atuação com suas caras e boquinhas (e em como ambas pediam socorro com o olhar)… Andy Garcia extremamente sexy no papel de padrasto fofo e marido perfeito... Dói na alma esse filme, chorei horrores, estou plenamente desidratada… Sensível, delicado e complexo... Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/30/24 Full Review Connor A This film is good. Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan give strong performances, they feel like a real couple and it helps make the emotional moments more impactful. It's a somewhat relatable film for those of us who have had alcoholic parents/partners, and while it has some realism to it, it does lean more into the Hollywood style love story happy ending. Overall, it's a decent drama that is worth a watch but won't be for everyone. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/17/23 Full Review Jerod S Meg is pretty good as the alcoholic mom opposite Andy Garcia. The movie shows what alcoholism does to a family when Meg passes out in the shower and her daughter thinks she's dead. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Although some may beg to differ, I think this movie did an excellent job showing the struggle of a mother/wife in and out of alcohol addiction. Meg Ryan was really good in the title role as was Andy Garcia as her husband. Loved Tina Majorino (from Napolean Dynomite) and Mae Whittman (from Hope Floats) as her kids at very young ages. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis A wife and mother of two daughters, Alice Green (Meg Ryan) has developed a severe drinking problem. While her husband, Michael (Andy Garcia), has been patient in dealing with this issue, it soon becomes clear that he has been enabling her alcoholism. When her addiction threatens her children's safety, Alice decides to enter a rehab clinic. Upon returning home, she finds that her new lifestyle causes an unexpected rift with Michael, leading to some soul-searching for the couple.
Director
Luis Mandoki
Producer
Jordan Kerner, Jon Avnet
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 29, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$50.0M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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