The Next Best Thing (2000)

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

Director:

John Schlesinger

Writer:

Tom Ropelewski

Stars:

Madonna, Rupert Everett, Benjamin Bratt

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

A comedy-drama about best friends - one a straight woman, Abbie, the other a gay man, Robert - who decide to have a child together. Five years later, Abbie falls in love with a straight man and wants to move away with her and Robert's little boy Sam, and a nasty custody battle ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | gay friend | custody battle | best friend | shaving | 

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Taglines:

Best friends make the best mistakes.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

3 March 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Red Curtain

Filming Locations:

Rae's Restaurant, 2901 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£280,386 (UK) (23 June 2000)

Gross:

£662,413 (UK) (7 July 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lakeshore Entertainment, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 99 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

Abbie is riding in a car. Seen from the front, her headrest is missing, but from the rear, it's present.

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Quotes

[Talking about Abbie and Robert's baby]
Annabelle: Of course he'll be gorgeous.
Kelly: Will he be gay?
Abbie: My God, will your kids be stupid?

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Connections

References Flying Down to Rio (1933)

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Soundtracks

"Bongo Bong"
Written and Performed by Manu Chao
Courtesy of Virgin France S.A.
By Arrangement with Virgin Records America, Inc.
Produced by Manu Chao and Renaud Letang (uncredited)

User Reviews

Almost like TV-movie

I almost felt I watching tv-movie on Hallmark. Especially the last 45 minutes are like in tv-movie. The movie begins with comedy touch and later it becomes boring drama. Madonna is ok in this movie, but the film doesn't have good script. All the actors are ok. The movie isn't funny and surely isn't touching. Maybe better script should worked. If Madonna wants to become better actress, she should rely on better scripts. This film is like tv-movie; after you have watched it, you simply forget it. ** stars from ***** stars.