Often referred to as the thinking person's Ghost, Anthony Minghella's Truly, Madly, Deeply offers a poignant look at all-encompassing love, a pleasant alternative to films that resort to emotional manipulation to tell a simple love story. The film is distinguished by Minghella's truthful and emotionally resonant approach. When Nina cries at her psychiatrist's, she sheds real, sloppy tears, complete with a runny nose. And, although Nina is initially overcome with happiness at Jamie's return, his presence forces her to recall all of his habits that annoyed her while he was alive. The honesty of Minghella's method rescues Truly, Madly, Deeply from the excess sentiment of many romantic dramas. The message here is to move on while casting a fond eye towards the past, and, as relayed by Minghella and his immensely talented cast (most notably Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman), that message is a touching, surprisingly funny, and inspiring one.