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One True Thing (1998)

 -  Drama  -  18 September 1998 (USA)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 7,041 users   Metascore: 63/100
Reviews: 109 user | 65 critic | 25 from Metacritic.com

A career woman reassesses her parents' lives after she is forced to care for her cancer-stricken mother.

Director:

Writers:

(novel), (screenplay)
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Title: One True Thing (1998)

One True Thing (1998) on IMDb 6.8/10

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 5 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
Brian Gulden
...
Jules
...
Jordan Belzer
...
District Attorney
...
G.A. Tweedy
...
Oliver Most
David Byron ...
Senator Sullivan
...
Harold
Lizbeth MacKay ...
Dr. Cohen
Mary Catherine Wright ...
Clarice
Sloane Shelton ...
Evelyn Best
Michele Shay ...
June
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Storyline

When a tough New Yorker's mother is stricken with a serious illness, she is forced to quit her job and her relationship with her boyfriend to take care of her, finding out a lot of things she didn't know about her mother and father and her life along the way. Written by L. Lim <penny1@es.co.nz>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

love | job | cancer | new york | professor | See more »

Taglines:

Love What You Have.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

|

Language:

|

Release Date:

18 September 1998 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Cosas que importan  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,606,455 (USA) (18 September 1998)

Gross:

$23,209,440 (USA) (13 November 1998)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

| |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Goofs

In some birthday-party scenes, daylight is visible through some windows, and lighting on the staircase suggests daylight, although the action is supposed to be at night, and other windows show darkness outdoors. See more »

Quotes

Kate Gulden: [dressed as Dorothy] Welcome! There's no place like home!
Ellen Gulden: [silently, to herself] Thank God.
See more »

Connections

References Cry Freedom (1987) See more »

Soundtracks

"My Blue Room"
Written by Doug Allen
Performed by Doug Allen
See more »

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User Reviews

A wonderful, wonderful film.
29 October 2005 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

This is one of my favourite films of all time, no doubt about it. Everything about it is superb. While it may appear to be a film which mainly appeals to women, I think that the men should give it a chance too - a substantial part of the storyline is from George Gulden's (William Hurt) point of view, as the father of the family.

Through 'One True Thing', we see how a family copes with disease - from everybody's point of view. Although we follow the story from Ellen Gulden's (Renee Zellweger) eyes, it never feels like we're missing out on anything.

The strongest point of the film is the superb acting. Hurt and Zellweger give very strong, convincing performances, and the supporting cast are also very good; however, it's Meryl Streep who stands out here. I truly believe this to be not only one of her best performances to date, but one of the best ever. Her work in this film is absolutely astounding. She's everything and anything the film could require from her - and then so much more. What she brings to this role is truly magical; the woman is a genius. How she could have missed out on the Oscar that year, I have absolutely no idea.

There isn't much more to say, except for SEE THIS FILM. It is all at once extremely insightful, moving, humorous and beautiful. You won't regret watching this one.


17 of 19 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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