IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Inventing the Abbotts (1997)
Inventing the Abbotts
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Inventing the Abbotts (1997) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 14 | slideshow) Videos (see all 4)
Inventing the Abbotts (1997) -- A light-hearted story of two brothers courting three sisters.
Inventing the Abbotts (1997) -- A light-hearted story of two brothers courting three sisters.
Inventing the Abbotts (1997) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   5,469 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 24% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Sue Miller (story)
Ken Hixon (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Inventing the Abbotts on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
4 April 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Love no matter what more
Plot:
A light-hearted story of two brothers courting three sisters. full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
User Comments:
Sweet little romance more (62 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Joaquin Phoenix ... Doug Holt

Billy Crudup ... Jacey Holt
Will Patton ... Lloyd Abbott

Kathy Baker ... Helen Holt

Jennifer Connelly ... Eleanor Abbott

Michael Sutton ... Steve

Liv Tyler ... Pamela Abbott

Joanna Going ... Alice Abbott
Barbara Williams ... Joan Abbott

Alessandro Nivola ... Peter Vanlaningham
Nicole M. Vassallo ... Giggling Girl #1
Amanda Sherman ... Giggling Girl #2

Shawn Hatosy ... Victor
Garrett M. Brown ... Webb Crosby

Julie Benz ... Co-ed
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for sexuality and language.
Runtime:
110 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Jennifer Connelly and Liv Tyler play sisters in this film. Connelly played Betty Ross in Hulk (2003), and was replaced by Tyler in The Incredible Hulk (2008). more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: There's a closeup of an Elvis Presley album which has a 1970's RCA logo on it. The logo is the same one the company currently uses, not that older "electric" lettering they had in the '50's amd '60's. more
Quotes:
Narrator: Jacey pretended to care for Alice so well, the illusion became so complete that even he was fooled. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Showbiz Today: (1997-04-01)" (1997) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Sweet little romance, 4 September 2001
10/10
Author: undecided_b_itch from Singapore

What can I say? I love this movie. And I'm not the type who digs romance movies, because they're usually 1) rubbish, 2) crap and 3) junk. "Inventing the Abbotts" is none of the above. Maybe it has got something to do with Joaquin Phoenix's presence in the movie; in my humble opinion, he is one tremendous actor and I love him, and I saw this movie because he's in it. Or maybe, just maybe, "Inventing the Abbotts" is simply a sweet little romantic movie that I enjoyed very much. There is just something about the movie that touches me. I do agree that "the best kind of love is the no-matter-what kind", and seeing it displayed so genuinely through Doug (Phoenix) and Pam (Liv Tyler) just did it for me. Not only was Joaquin brilliant as Doug, his character is, let's face it, an all-round good guy: someone you'd feel comfortable with, comfortable enough to let him meet the parents. And although there were some scenes where Liv Tyler didn't quite deliver, the chemistry between the two of them is obvious, and it helps to make their romance more possible than it already is.

Billy Crudup plays the more interesting Holt brother Jacey, and is thoroughly convincing in his role. Jennifer Connelly is beautiful, and like most of the supporting cast, is solid in her role. Special kudos must go to the actress who played Doug's mom (her name eluded my memory). She handled her role with delicacy and care, and turned what could be a fairly boring character to an interesting one. I love the exploration of family relationships, and I was glad to see a solid relationship between Doug and his mother.

All in all, "Inventing the Abbotts" is a splendid movie that *somehow* teaches you to love "no matter what".

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (62 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Inventing the Abbotts (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Question on sexual content???? anonymous7727
Another great performance from Kathy Baker Joshf84
Best scene in a movie ever... (spoiler if you haven't seen it) ainz28
Who was the narrator? savrip
Larger Liv Tyler? mardee-1
Last song in Inventing the Abbotts??? lesliejmills
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Die Blechtrommel Starter for 10 Novecento Giant Home from the Hill
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.