I'll Do Anything (1994)

Matt Hobbs is a talented but unsuccessful actor. When estranged (and strange) ex-wife Beth dumps their daughter Jeannie on Matt, father and daughter have a lot of adjusting to do. His ... See full summary »

Director:

James L. Brooks

Writer:

James L. Brooks

Stars:

Nick Nolte, Whittni Wright, Albert Brooks

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nick Nolte	...	Matt Hobbs
Whittni Wright	...	Jeannie Hobbs
Albert Brooks	...	Burke Adler
Julie Kavner	...	Nan Mulhanney
Joely Richardson	...	Cathy Breslow
Tracey Ullman	...	Beth Hobbs
Jeb Brown	...	Male D Person
Joely Fisher	...	Female D Person
Vicki Lewis	...	Millie
Anne Heche	...	Claire
Ian McKellen	...	John Earl McAlpine
Joel Thurm	...	Martin
Angela Alvarado	...	Lucy
Dominik Lukas-Espeleta	...	Ricky
Justina Hardesty	...	Essa

Storyline

Matt Hobbs is a talented but unsuccessful actor. When estranged (and strange) ex-wife Beth dumps their daughter Jeannie on Matt, father and daughter have a lot of adjusting to do. His budding relationship with attractive production assistant Cathy Breslow is made complicated, while the precocious child is overly accustomed to getting her own way. Matt eventually faces the choice of family vs career in a particularly difficult way.

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Plot Keywords:

daughter | actor | father | ex wife | contraction in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual language and situations

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aprendiendo a vivir

Box Office

Budget:

$44,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$10,209,111 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Gracie Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Laura Dern was originally cast as Cathy Breslow.

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Quotes

Nan Mulhanney: I couldn't help overhearing because I was intentionally eavesdropping.

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Connections

References Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

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Soundtracks

"YOU ARE THE BEST"
Written by Carole King
Produced by Carole King and Rudy Guess
Performed by Whittni Wright

User Reviews

Typical James L. Brooks

This movie has really got the "Brooks Touch" and that's a very good thing. I can't understand why this has got such a low ratings on the IMDB, or why it is so little known. Like AS GOOD AS IT GETS and the even better, but overall largely underrated TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, this again is a wonderful story about real people. And when Brooks is in the director's seat, you know this film isn't going to take the easy way. I can only recommend this movie, especially because of the many lovely moments and the excellent dialogue. My only complaint is that some of the dialogue is a bit too smart for its own good and that it doesn't always ring true. The actors are very good too, especially Nick Nolte, Joely Richardson and the young Whittni Wright(who is wonderful). They're not the really big names, like in the two aforementioned movies, but they did a very good job. Also look out for the character played by Albert Brooks, which is very familiar with Jack Nicholson's character in AS GOOD AS IT GETS. It almost seems a trademark of James L. Brooks, who keeps delivering the goods with his original and always fresh romantic comedies. Don't miss this one! 8/10