Rating: 
Summary: It's possible to love a person (or a movie) with flaws
Review: I first saw this movie on an airplane a few months ago. The usual interruptions occurred throughout -- my neighbour lifted the blind to see if it was still daylight at 2 pm, an infant a couple of seats away started squalling, and so on. However, when the pilot asked us to fasten our seatbelt (in two languages), a lot of people groaned audibly. Later on, when he interrupted a crucial moment in the movie to advise us that on our right you could see some town or other of 32,000 people, several passengers actually yelled for him to shut up. Tellingly, when the film was over, a lot of people including myself were wiping their eyes.I love films, see a lot of them, and think I know good ones from bad. A lot of this film's flaws have been discussed here and elsewhere, and I agree with much that was said, but somehow, in spite of the weaknesses, Message still refuses to leave my consciousness. There is something about it that rings true, at least to this unabashed 61-year-old romantic. I rented it a second time recently and liked it even more. It was on that occasion that the close connection with the novel Wuthering Heights came into focus. (The novel is specifically mentioned in the movie, the first wife is named Catherine, and most importantly, she and Theresa are identified with opposing external worlds. Even more than Catherine, Garret is a part of the sea, not Chicago, and must ultimately be claimed by it (or Catherine, if you will) when his ties with the ocean begin to be loosened. Far from being gratuitous, the ending is absolutely necessary to the film's structure. If Garret had been allowed to follow his father's advice and move on, we all would have felt better when it was over. It undoubtedly would have done better at the box office. But in the process, it would have lost most, if not all, of its deeper meaning, and remained a medocre feel-good movie. As of this writing, Kostner is involved in a quarrel with his latest film's distributors over the movie's final form. He apparantly has lost that battle. Thank goodness Hollywood sometimes does the right thing.
Rating:
Summary: Not the typical chick film ending
Review: The chicks should be happy. Oh, no - they don't go off at the end hand and hand walking into the sunset. Got news for you - THAT WOULD BE THE CLICHE ENDING. Ending made some sense - as this man really had only one love in life - and we all know that. On DVD - this film on large projection looked extraordinary. Ms Penn may be an extraordinary actress - but she is really not all that attractive -basically looks like a stick with a wig. Her skin looks like garbage, and her character does not seem that convincing as one most men would fall head over heels in love with - especially someone like Kevin Costner. The movie should have set him up with a woman of such unquestionable appeal that the average person can believe that first a man like this would fall for her and second that she could displace to some degree the love of his life. Really, is this the best Kevin Costner can do? Had they used a move attractive actress - it would have a plus. Colors and clarity are extrordinary on DVD and the optional directors narration is very detailed and done in a very classy way. During the full 2 hr director edition - we learn many facts: among them are 1. the movie was primarily shot in Maine ( the Carolina lookalike first pick was a remote island in Virgina - which the town turned down since they believed it to be a dirty movie)2. the producers paid for a new house to be constructed -a custom built house in Maine - using as a starting point a pre-existing small 8 by 10 cabin -with the female owner getting the free massive addition in exhange for use 3. it appears the precise location in Maine is not specified - at least on any credits or supplementary info on the DVD. It may be part of the deal that the owner of the house would rather keep the location secret. 4. other locations include Portland Maine for certain interior scenes and Chicago for outside apartment scenes, and a Hollywood water tank for the final storm scenes. Very interesting movie overall and great DVD. Would have given it 5 stars if they made the gal appear more attractive and convincing as to having Kevin Costner fall in love with.
Rating:
Summary: Bad Ending....but the rest was nice
Review: I loved this movie until the dissapointing and depressing ending! I've never read the book but does it have a different ending. Kevin Costner was very good in it and should be praised but the rest (besides the ending) was lovely. If you want to watch a movie that is a tear-jerker (and I mean TEAR-JERKER) this is your kind of a film.
Rating:
Summary: This was a wonderful movie.
Review: Yes, the ending was sad. However, just think to have experienced that kinda love is beautiful. The movie had such an impact on me that I still think aobut it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great but Sad
Review: one of the best movie I ever seen. the unexpected ending made this even better. and for you who likes a romantic and sad movies, this is a must to see
Rating: 
Summary: Great until the end ruins it
Review: Up until the last five minutes of the movie, Message In a Bottle is exactly what I didn't expect it to be: sweet, endearing, and a genuine feel-good film. Unfortunately they took the dramatic way out and spoiled everything. You'll like it if you've always thought "When Harry Met Sally" would have been better if Billy Chrystal had been hit by a bus on his way to tell Meg Ryan that he loves her.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie does no justice to an absolute wonderful book
Review: This book was one of the most memorable books I have ever read. I cried and was moved beyond words. When I heard there would be a movie, I swore I wouldn't see it because I just knew it wouldn't do the movie justice. Well, was I ever right! I couldn't believe what they did with this movie. Give me a break! If they made the movie with the same story it would have been awesome. Where did this storyline come from? Why can't they leave well enough alone. Kevin Costner put me to sleep -- I know he was a down-home boy but give him some life! The story just did not flow and if you didn't know any background you really wouldn't know what was going on. Very disappointing!
Rating:
Summary: Great movie! Loved it! Hated the ending!!!!
Review: I thought that this movie was one of the better ones that Kevin has done, he really did a great job as a widower who finds new love! I thought that the movie was well done, but really did vary from the book. Needless to say, I saw it in the theaters twice and bought the DVD for it, and watched it 3 times already. It might be because Kevin Costner looks so good, but the story is so romantic, and the scenery is beautiful too. This has the makings for a great fantasy! I agree w/ the other reviewers on the book/movie differences. I thought that they could have made the movie closer to the storyline of the book, but turned the ending around into a good possibility for a sequel...
Rating:
Summary: Very Good but a VERY disappointing ending
Review: This movie was so romantic, but then the end comes and you are sooooo disappointed. See this movie and turn it off fifteen minutes early or make up your own ending(like I did).
Rating:
Summary: A very good movie.
Review: I think Kevin Costner brilliantly played the part of a young man who had withdrawn from society because of his guilt and his loss. Those that have given this a bad rating do not understand that the world is made up of many kinds of people and some speak eloquently and some hardly speak. This is not a fairy tale story but a very romantic believable story. Don't watch it if you don't want to cry.
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