A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

Ewan McGregor stars as a cleaning man in L.A. who takes his boss' daughter hostage after being fired and replaced by a robot. Two "angels" who are in charge of human relationships on earth,... See full summary »

Director:

Danny Boyle

Writer:

John Hodge

Stars:

Ewan McGregor, Cameron Diaz, Holly Hunter

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ewan McGregor	...	Robert Lewis
Cameron Diaz	...	Celine Naville
Holly Hunter	...	O'Reilly
Delroy Lindo	...	Jackson
Dan Hedaya	...	Gabriel
Ian McNeice	...	Mayhew
Frank Kanig	...	Ted
Mel Winkler	...	Francis 'Frank' Naville
Stanley Tucci	...	Elliot Zweikel
Anne Cullimore Decker	...	Violet Eldred Gesteten
K.K. Dodds	...	Lily
Tony Shalhoub	...	Al
Christopher Gorham	...	Walt
Ian Holm	...	Naville
Maury Chaykin	...	Tod Johnson

Storyline

Ewan McGregor stars as a cleaning man in L.A. who takes his boss' daughter hostage after being fired and replaced by a robot. Two "angels" who are in charge of human relationships on earth, offer some unsolicited help to bring this unlikely couple together.

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Plot Keywords:

angel | robot | janitor | security guard | novel | 

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Taglines:

A comedy for anyone who's ever been in danger...of falling in love.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Une vie moins ordinaire

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,200,000 (Non-US) (31 October 1997)

Gross:

DEM 1,682,281 (Germany) (30 January 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Figment Films, Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Holly Hunter and Ewan McGregor play the French horn.

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Goofs

When first shown, the writing on the glass of the door of Gabriel's office (incorrectly) faces in to the office. In later scenes, the writing is reversed and faces out.

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Quotes

Jackson: Have you ever felt like you're not in control of your life?

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Crazy Credits

For the start of the credits, the top half of image contains a wide box (2.35:1?) which runs footage furthering the plotline. Note the film itself was in 1.85:1.

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Connections

References The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

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Soundtracks

"I HEAR A SYMPHONY"
Written by Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland
Published by Jobete Music Co. Inc., EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
Performed by Diana Ross and The Supremes
Courtesy of Motown Record Company, L.P.
By Arrangement with PolyGram Film and TV Licensing

User Reviews

A Magical Movie

I just love watching movies where I do not expect excellence - and yet there it is. I was very happy with a Life Less Ordinary. It seemed to me to be unique, charming, fun and just a great way to spend some enjoyable time.

When a movie gets this enjoyable, I need to ask why. In my opinion in this movie its "casting" was exceptional. And of course one then has to credit directing that puts the cast at their best. Clearly Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz can both be characters. Well, this is a movie that puts them at their best, funniest and most charming. The director also brings out their unique features as an actor and actress that just makes the movie enjoyable.

The highlight of this kidnapping movie is also unexpected. It for me was the song and dance routine with Ewan and Cameron. They were great - fun and charming.

This is a movie that I will want to watch again and again.