Only Love (1998 TV Movie) User Reviews

Pleasant - But Overly Long - Entertainment

[Taurus-Littrow · 6/10 · 31 October 2005]

My wife and I watched the film over two nights and wish it had been cut by an hour or so. The padding that is too often part of made-for-TV movies was all too obvious and, by the end, we were getting very tired of Sylvia's clinging and the 'meaningful' looks. The film belongs to Marisa Tomei and, to a lesser extent to Rob Morrow who create engaging characters who save the film from its plot excesses. We had only seen Tomei once previously, in 'My Cousin Vinny'. We recognize that many found her work in that movie very funny, but we thought her character was annoying at best. Her portrayal of Evie in 'Only Love' is refreshing. Honorable Mentions to Paul Freeman (who we know from 'Monarch of the Glen')and Jeroen Krabbé ('Prince of Tides' and 'The Fugitive') who salvaged characters who would have been hopelessly stereotypical in lesser hands.

Tomei's so cute

[rookie-3 · 7/10 · 18 November 1998]

'Only Love' has been adapted to the big screen beautifully. It's very romantic as it should be and is supported by great casts.

Mathilda May, Rob Morrow and Tomei each plays their parts well. The exotic cinematography on places in Europe and Africa adds some romance to this already romantic story. What I like most of this film is Marisa Tomei. She's so cute in this motion picture. I wish I could see it in a bigger screen.

Question

[i_m_number1 · 7/10 · 12 April 2006]

I really liked this movie, except it really took me a certain mood to get into watching it, because I knew how sad it would be. It had an older feel, like it was made more in the 70's. I enjoyed the foreign connections, how both were involved in Africa and Italy. How different their backgrounds were, and the real to life situations. It was extremely realistic.This movie was very beautifully portrayed.

But I have a question for anyone who knows the answer. The music in this movie was very moving, but especially the last song when they're playing both piano and cello together. Does anyone know the name of the song they played, or the composer? Thank you.

Only a beautiful, beautiful love story, it will make one weep

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 2 October 2006]

Matthew (Rob Morrow) is a renowned neurologist. In his early career, however, he was a doctor in Africa, as part of a humanitarian medical corps. It was there that he met the early love of his life, Silvia. Silvia, from Italy, is also a doctor and the two become inseparable. However, Silva is the daughter of a very wealthy Italian businessman and he has promised her hand in marriage to a son of another wealthy Italian. A crisis occurs. Silvia saves Matthew's life in exchange for giving him up and following her father's wishes. Matthew is devastated. He throws himself into his work in neurology, and nothing else, for years and years. Unexpectedly, a longtime friend named Evie (Marisa Tomei) becomes divorced and the two fall for each other hard. They marry. Suddenly, Silvia re-enters the picture. Outcome, please? This is one of the loveliest stories of love ever. The script is humorous and full of pathos at the same time, examining the ways and depths of one's loves and choices. Morrow is terrific as the doctor and Tomei is her usual irresistible self as the wife. Silvia (Matilda May) is also quite nice as the woman thrust into impossible situations. The settings of Africa, Europe and the States are an added bonus and the costumes fetching. Gents, do you want to make your partners happy this Valentine's Day? Get this movie and your mates will cling to you like velcro throughout the view. It might even make couples fall in love all over again.

"Only Love"is one of the best yet saddest, honest movies I've seen.

[lyn-25 · 10/10 · 9 June 2000]

I saw "Only Love" on television last week and I thought it was one of the best though saddest movies I've seen.Each of the three main characters I thought played equally good parts.Matthew was so genuine, tender and committed and he still got on with his life and ambitions even though he was heart broken.I fell in love with his manner. Evie was a fun loving true friend which encouraged me as too often we hear of friends moving away and the contact is broken forever.I believe we can have that type of friendship in real life. Silvia was a gentle,loving person and my heart went out to her as she gave up her "life" so to speak.Even though she was head strong in her ambitions,she still gave that up for her "word" Although I would have liked to see a happier ending for all I can see how this film was truly a love story in the fact that it was a sacrificial love.We humans are selfish and too often we make decisions on how it will effect "me" instead of looking out for the other. My husband and I cried when we watched it.It was good for both of us.

Drop the cancer girl

[Banky-7 · 8 May 1999]

I rented this movie over the weekend and didn't know that it was a tv movie. I found it to be okay. Rob Morrow was good as Dr. Hiller(why is it he always plays doctors from New York.) The Italian actress who played Sylvia was good, if a bit annoying. I found her crying to be annoying and over the top. Basically, I just didn't like her. I thought that Marisa Tomei just stole the show. She was so cute and great in it. I didn't get the ending at all though. If you've seen it, what the heck? Do they break up, do they not? I just didn't get it. It was basically about love. I thought that the back of the box made it sound more interesting than it was. A doctor in New York is newly married with 2 daughters when a woman from his past comes and makes him remember his deep love for her. What does he do? Stand by his wife's side whom he has known since his days at the University of Michigan or does he go to the one he will always truly love and watch her die? It could have been better, but I found it predictable. I did find myself rooting for Marisa Tomei. I mean every second she's on the screen she's happy and just brights up the scene. Utterly enjoyable to watch, as opposed to her competition embodied by some cancer ridden Italien actress. It jumped from 1998 to 1982 to 1996 and any other year I've forgotten and that was a bit confusing. Basically, it was pretty good. The ending was a bit sad and it makes you think. It doesn't necessarily tell you what happens. Similar to Chasing Amy, it's up to you to decide what happens between the woman Dr. Hiller chooses and himself. Being the optimist I am(not really, just am this time because of Tomei) I would have to say that they live happily ever after, and let lying dogs die. Whoa! THat was a pretty stupid anaology, huh? Rent it if they don't have that new release you wanted.

Tragic Love Story

[ahammonds-31071 · 6/10 · 7 October 2019]

This story left me feeling sorry for Morrow, it was more of holding on to something that he should of let of along time ago ...both he and Silvio held on to not only love that was unfinished but forgiveness that didn't allow them to both truly move on. He was somewhat resentful and for good reason, she put him in a bad position because he was to accept her decision that she did out of cultural honor and because he was spared his life, which is almost like he died that day anyway. They both seemed to just settle in the end...although Evie got the worst of it because she knew the whole story and was genuinely a great spirit. She knew That he never married or had kids because he always had our true love,,,,at least Sylvie husband thought she ran back to him and assumed he was the great love...Evie knew she was a best friend but will always know...and the way it ended is like they may not be together more than just out of not being alone which is tragedy in itself, at least for Evie as a woman...I'd feel like I settled 😞

Rob Morrow is amazingly romantic in this timeless romance!

[timbercat · 10/10 · 25 May 2005]

This movie touched my heart and made me want to immediately see it over and over again. Rob Morrow gives a wonderfully compassionate touch to this love story that leaves you breathless. I can't wait to see it again! As I stepped into the journey of this love story I was swept away by the scenes from Africa, Europe, and New York! The movie had me continuously guessing and falling in love with the characters over and over again. Rob Morrow gave a breath taking romantic portrayal of a man every woman dreams about! I have now watched it over and over again and still have the same reaction to the movie and never get tired of seeing this love story. Everyone couple should see this love story! I am looking forward to seeing it again soon!

its was a wonderful movie

[sugarbear2931 · 10/10 · 11 November 2005]

I just got done watch Only Love and it was one of the best romantic movies i ever seen. All the actors did a wonderful job on their characters, and you could really feel the pain of what Mathew went through. It was a very good movie and I give it a 10! I'm going to buy that movie and it will be on my favorites list. My favorite scene in the movie was at the end when Matthew and Evie were playing the duet together and it was like it was the first time since they had been married that they really became one. Both in music and in their marriage. Only Love kept me on my seat and at any moment about to cry. Watch it with a box of tissues!! Your have to see this movie!! I'm sure it will become one of your favorites too!

So unrealistic

[devil_girl15 · 9 August 2011]

This movie was way over the top, mostly dealing with the cancer, it was just unrealistic portrayal of a women with caner. Then the constant going back and forth and the screen saying what year it was. I don't appreciate watching Silvia collapse every five minutes from the brain cancer, i mean in real life people don't constantly collapse i've never seen a cancer patient ever do that, and they have her shaking vigorously like a vibrator, its so disturbing seeing this. People don't melodramatically do that in real life, and her death clichéd, shes talking and then dies, like love story ugh. 1/10 stars, and Marissa Tomei wasn't all that great in it either.

The Best Movie I Have Ever Watched

[brambo-705-642557 · 10/10 · 6 June 2013]

This movie is a real tear-jerker. It is excellent in EVERY single way! I could watch it over and over again! The characters are wonderful. The plot is unexpected. One to watch with your girlfriends (girls night)too. Guys, don't know how much you would appreciate this movie, it definitely has great appeal for women because we can more understand the two female main characters. This is a movie you will never regret getting. You will never feel you wasted you time watching it. When you sit down to watch it, don't move! You cannot miss a minute of it, you might miss something critical. By the end, you will be bawling, if not WAY before!

Loved it.

[jewelch · 8/10 · 10 April 2021]

I just got done watching Only Love and it was really very good. All the actors did a wonderful job on their characters, and you could really feel the pain of what Mathew went through. It was a very good movie and I give it a 8! James Welch Henderson Arkansas 4/9/2021.

One of the most beautiful love stories to ever hit the screen...

[lalyfive · 9/10 · 7 February 2007]

This movie really took me by surprise since I knew nothing about it when I found it on TV. The plot is really good, the script is good and the characters are all lovable and enjoyable, thanks to the actors that play them. There is nothing really complicated in it; the director doesn't get lost in what would seem a complicated situation, he makes it seem simple and real. Even if the story is told in flashback, you never get lost, as it happens with other movies which use the same element to tell a story. And the performances are very powerful without being overacted. In the end, even though one of the people in the love triangle dies, you are not left with a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction for it because her significant other has found a new love. To be honest, I wish all romantic movies were like this!

Tis better to have loved & lost. Than never to have loved at all. (Tennyson)

[wwiiboomer · 8/10 · 16 September 2020]

There is a difference in circumstances. I believe there is altogether to much confusion between self pity and true personal anguish. Painful wounds of long ago that hurt for so long, in time fades until they hurt no more. And yet they resurface-for love has no bounds nor prejudices.

This is a passionate and touching romance story that will keep with you long after in love...