Nothing in Common (1986)

A successful ad man (Hanks) must juggle his ever-demanding career while his parents' marriage breaks up.

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers:

Rick Podell, Michael Preminger

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Jackie Gleason, Eva Marie Saint

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks	...	David Basner
Jackie Gleason	...	Max Basner
Eva Marie Saint	...	Lorraine Basner
Hector Elizondo	...	Charlie Gargas
Barry Corbin	...	Andrew Woolridge
Bess Armstrong	...	Donna Mildred Martin
Sela Ward	...	Cheryl Ann Wayne
Cindy Harrell	...	Shelley the Stewardess
John Kapelos	...	Roger the Commercial Director
Carol Messing	...	David's Secretary
Bill Applebaum	...	Ted Geller
Mona Lyden	...	Mishi
Anthony Starke	...	Cameron
Julio Alonso	...	Rick
Jane Morris	...	Dale

Storyline

David Basner is a successful advertising executive who has it all: Money, happiness, and women who want him. Then one day his world falls apart when his mother leaves his father. Now, he must balance his life between his mother, who is happy with her newfound independence, and his father, a recently laid off salesman who is hard-headed, stubborn, and hides a lot from David. Now David must cope with the downfall of his family and his life.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | advertising | advertising executive | marital separation | business | 

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Taglines:

On his way up the corporate ladder. David Basner confronts his greatest challenge: his father.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nada en común

Filming Locations:

Marina City Tower, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$32,324,557 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Delphi Films, Rastar Productions, TriStar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several Ringo Starr references were made in the movie: David aims at being a fourth partner in the firm just like Ringo was the fourth person to join the Beatles. David plays with drum sticks, a reference to Ringo being a drummer. Then when doing auditions for grandmothers, Roger mentions how Ringo Starr had become a grandfather in his 40s.

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Goofs

David's Jeep has an automatic transmission in some scenes, a manual transmission in others.

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Quotes

Andrew Woolridge: My daughter speaks very highly of you. Says you're a great lay.
David Basner: [David's gun accidentally goes off] She told you that?
Andrew Woolridge: My baby girl tells me everything.
David Basner: That's some conversation for a father to be having with his daughter.
Andrew Woolridge: I raised her to be a corporate executive. I raised her to be a man.
David Basner: So did my father, but I never tell him anything.

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Connections

References 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

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Soundtracks

"Until you say you love me"
Performed by Aretha Franklin
Written by Narada Michael Walden and Preston Glass

User Reviews

Wonderful Movie - Bess Armstrong at Her Best

I think the movie, "Nothing in Common" was a very wonderful show, from both the perspective of the acting and writing. The evolution of the relationship between the characters of Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason was superb. However, what also had such a high degree of meaning to me was the character development between Tom Hanks and Bess Armstrong. Most especially poignant was the romantic street scene during about the middle of the movie, as the Carly Simon song played, "If It Wasn't Love" when Hanks comes to the realization of what he was letting go..and thus begins to grow up. The eye connection between Hanks and Armstrong as she begins to peddle away toward the end of the song, says it all. No dialog was spoken at all during this scene with the exception of Ms. Simon's lyrics...very moving. Bess Armstrong was wonderful in this role, and I believe much overlooked. She was beautiful inside and out. As another great song once stated, "sometimes, the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see". The movie was the greatest. The actors art seemed effortless, however, that is the sign of a professional. I highly recommend.