Sliding Doors (1998)

A London woman's love life and career both hinge, unknown to her, on whether or not she catches a train. We see it both ways, in parallel.

Director:

Peter Howitt

Writer:

Peter Howitt

Stars:

Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, John Lynch

7 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Helen
John Hannah	...	James
John Lynch	...	Gerry
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Lydia
Zara Turner	...	Anna
Douglas McFerran	...	Russell
Paul Brightwell	...	Clive
Nina Young	...	Claudia
Virginia McKenna	...	James's Mother
Kevin McNally	...	Paul
Terry English	...	Kind Cabbie
Paul Stacey	...	Man on Tube
Peter Howitt	...	Cheeky Bloke
Joanna Roth	...	Suspicious Girl
Neil Stuke	...	Defensive Bloke

Storyline

Young Helen is fired from her job at a PR company, and when the sliding doors of the tube car close on her, we start to see what would have happened if she'd made the train, and if she hadn't.

---

Plot Keywords:

train | cheating | shower | waitress | hospital | 

---

Taglines:

Helen is about to find that romance was never this much fun.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dos vidas en un instante

Filming Locations:

Waterloo & City Line, London Underground, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,134,641 (UK) (1 May 1998)

Gross:

$11,883,495 (USA) (28 August 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Intermedia Films, Mirage Enterprises, Miramax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gillian Anderson was considered for the role of Helen.

---

Goofs

Near the beginning of the movie, as James is leaving the building from which Helen emerges just behind him, he is wearing a long coat. When we see him next, in the tube station, his coat is missing.

---

Quotes

[Helen tells James her boyfriend is cheating]
James: Well, if it makes you feel any better... do you see that bloke over there?
[Points to his friend at the end of the bar]
James: Not only does he own a personalized matching set of crocodile-skin luggage, but his favorite TV program is Baywatch. So you see there's always someone sadder than you.
[Helen starts to cry]
James: Do you love him?
Helen: No, I could never love a Baywatch fan.

---

Connections

Referenced in Date Night (2010)

---

Soundtracks

"Got A Thing About You"
Written by Andrew Barreau
Performed by Those Magnificent Men

User Reviews

Undoubtedly one of my favourite films

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Helen Quilley, she works in Public Relations and is dating an idiot who is cheating on her (come on guys, would you?) After losing her job she heads home early, and the film then follows two Parallel realities, that cross over and intertwine in a very clever manner, that adds a great deal to the movies quality.

One way, she gets home and finds him cheating, and the other way she is mugged and her boyfriend gets away with it, at least for now.

In this wonderfully charming romantic comedy, great performances from, Paltrow, Lynch, Hannah and Tripplehorn plus a good script and some good laughs all add up to a movie i simply don't tire of. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, i just love it.

9/10 and a must for Paltrow Fans