The Next Best Thing (2000)

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writer (WGA):

Tom Ropelewski (written by)

Release Date:

3 March 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

He was smart, handsome and single. When her biological clock was running out, he was... the next best thing.

Plot:

Abbie, tired of failed relationships, has a one-night-stand with her gay friend; they agree to raise the resulting baby together.

Plot Keywords:

Custody Battle | Gay Friend | Best Friend | Lingerie Slip | Platonic Love

Awards:

1 win & 6 nominations

Cast

Madonna	...	Abbie Reynolds
Rupert Everett	...	Robert Whittaker
Benjamin Bratt	...	Ben Cooper
Illeana Douglas	...	Elizabeth Ryder
Michael Vartan	...	Kevin Lasater
Josef Sommer	...	Richard Whittaker
Malcolm Stumpf	...	Sam
Lynn Redgrave	...	Helen Whittaker
Neil Patrick Harris	...	David
Mark Valley	...	Cardiologist
Suzanne Krull	...	Annabel
Stacy Edwards	...	Finn
John Carroll Lynch	...	Abbie's Lawyer
Fran Bennett	...	Judge Tracey Bennett
Ricki Lopez	...	Angel

Also Known As:

The Red Curtain (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, sexual content, partial nudity and language.

Runtime:

108 min | Germany:99 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIA | Mexico:B | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Lakeshore Entertainment

Trivia:

Rupert Everett's own black Labrador Moise appears as the family pet

Goofs:

Continuity: Near the end of the film, when Robert is talking to Ben across the street of Sam's school, Robert's head keeps changing positions between shots. In one shot he is looking toward Ben and in another shot he is looking at the school, then it goes back to the other shot when hes looking at Ben.

Quotes:

Robert's Mother: Do you remember that gloomy old grandpa that I told you about. The one who only comes out at night?
[Sam shakes his head yes]
Robert's Mother: Well, he's here.
Sam: Smelling salts. Smelling salts.
[Pretends to faint]
Sam: Grandma, why aren't you fainting with me?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Sweetest Thing (2002)

Soundtrack:

Don't Make Me Love You (Till I'm Ready)

Its Been months since I've seen it, and I still can't get the rotten taste out of my mouth

Its been months since my wife dragged me to see this film, and I still can't get the rotten taste out of my mouth. Ten minutes into the movie she and I were looking at our watches, wondering how much more we were in for. At that point we knew we had a film that could surpass The Postman (the Costner movie, not the Italian one) in trite pompousness. The only positive thing I can say I gained from The Next Best Thing is that it has given me a new concrete reference for the term "Bad Movie" (it nudged Postman out by a nose).

I want to express, these feelings don't come from any bias I may have against Madonna or any of the other actor's involved in it(including TVs Doogie Hauser), in fact I have a great deal of respect for Madonna's business acumen and her ability to continually re-invent herself. A big part of her past success has come from her wisdom to surround herself with capable people, but that seems to have not made a difference this time. The usually engaging Rupert Everett walks woodenly through every scene. Julia Roberts' 'Squeeze' Benjamin Bratt stumbles through his poorly written lines. And as for Madonna herself--what accent is that you're affecting?

Stay Away, stay away in droves. Or better yet, watch it, and learn what real pain is.