All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

"Message in a Bottle" tells the tale of a middle-aged boat builder named Garret Blake who has never recovered from the loss of his wife. As a way to escape from his inner doldrums he starts writing letters and placing them bottles and throws them in the ocean. A Chicago Tribune researcher named Theresa (Robin Wright Penn) finds the bottled messages and embarks on a mission to see who's the gentleman who's writing these provocative and yet sincere letters. Once they unite they start to exchange one's personal trials and tribulations and to seek comfort to one another.This is a rather simple adult story of grief and finding comfort to heal the wounds that manifest in each other's veins. The pacing of the movie is horribly slow, the romantic scenes are quite soothing, the acting is very well done, but the ending is a major turn-off. For those who were looking for an entertaining, thrill of a lifetime, light romantic tale will better check with me to seek elsewhere because in this movie it not happening here. Granted this movie has very gripping romantic scenes, but the film follows on a plot that involves a man who just can't seem to overcome grief. This film could have reflection of those who have experienced this tragedy and have never fully overcomes this permanent obstacle. Sure there's an engaging romantic story involving Garret and Theresa, but it was just outweighed by the grieving plot and the struggle to get over it.The performances were excellent as Kevin Costner turns in a remarkable performance with his trademark, tough, rugged, but vulnerable character. Robin Wright Penn was also very good in her role, but doesn't offer anything authentic here. Paul Newman who seems to have been getting on in age here seems badly clichéd, but much-needed to prevent this story from being overly melancholy as the cantankerous old father of Costner's. The feeling of the movie is quite serene, especially the scenes where the sweet romance materializes. For those who like the seas then this will double the appreciation to those who like the movie already. The water scenes symbolize the lives the characters face as each time passes.All I can say is that it truly visual eye-candy, the performances were all very good, but sadly the snail's pace and the uneventful scenes make this film more cathartic rather than a romantic drama. It wasn't a terrible movie, but it surely wasn't the greatest.

This movie could have easily been another average romantic-drama had it not been for an above par performance from Kevin Costner and solid direction from Luis Mandoki."Message in a Bottle" is lavishly photographed and blessed with a reasonably plausible script and a believable, realistic ending; one I appreciated very much - not enough movies are brave enough to finish like this. Should touch the hearts of most audiences too.The screenplay from Gerald Di Pego is based upon the Nicholas Sparks novel.Saturday, November 13, 1999 - Video

This movie follows an all-too-predictable romance plot. In fact, the movie is all about its plot and not enough about what could have been fascinating characters and how they work with each other. But, no, it is a tired re-rendering of a tragic love story. Not worth the time it takes to watch.To save you time: She finds a message in a bottle, with some investigation finds the author of the note, meets him and his curmudgeonly father, falls in love, but fails to tell him about the note. He beds her, finds the note, gets annoyed, and leaves. She goes to find him, tries to reconcile, but it's too soon. He goes to get her but dies by accident. She is sad. The end.On the plus side, the performances from the cast was quite good, given the serious limitations of the script.

While strolling on a beach one day Robin Wright Penn finds a letter in a bottle. Back in the old days stranded sailors were known to send distress messages in such items in the hopes the letters would be found and they would be rescued.But this bottle contains a message that's a beautifully composed love letter. Penn's been the odd woman out in a triangle that broke up her marriage and she's a naturally cynical creature. When she shows the letter to her boss editor/columnist Robbie Coltrane who prints it and writes an editorial in praise of it. It gets a really big response from folks touched by it.A little forensic science determines the origin of the letter to be Wilmington, North Carolina and the author to be carpenter/shipbuilder Kevin Costner. A man with that kind of poetry in his soul is guaranteed to move even the once burned Robin Wright Penn.Message In A Bottle is an old fashioned love story guaranteed to melt the most cynical of hearts. Also featured is Paul Newman who is Costner's father who has the wisest old head around. Hard to believe the guy who played Hombre and Cool Hand Luke is now playing wise elderly folks, but Paul Newman grew not just in age, but in expanding his once in a lifetime talent as well.If you think you've seen all the romantic pictures there are and know how this one is coming out then you're in for a shock if you see Message In A Bottle. But it's a worthwhile experience nevertheless.