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

Final film of Jackie Gleason.

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Goofs

David (Tom Hanks) throws a ball against the wall in his apartment repeatedly, catching it and throwing it again. On the last throw, he tries but misses the catch and a crew member's arm quickly enters the shot and catches the ball for him.

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Quotes

Max Basner: That was something we all had in common... your grandfather, me, you. We always knew had to talk a girl into bed.
David Basner: I'm glad you still can.
Max Basner: I can't. I can't do it anymore.

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Connections

References Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Don't forget to dance"
Performed by The Kinks
Written by Ray Davies

User Reviews

Tom Hanks was great, even back then

The story line is pretty straight forward, and the production was good, especially considering the 80's style of movie making. But Tom carries the movie, with his now-classic mix of rapier wit, sarcasm, and charming humor.

Tom play David Basner, a talented, slightly arrogant Chicago ad-exec whose parents just split after 50+ years of marriage. Though he has left "the nest" and views his parents as a necessary evil to be dealt with as little as possible, he finds himself providing ever-increasing support to each parent, all the while discovering the frailty and human side of each of them, and discovering what his priorities should be.

A definite watch