Nurse Betty (2000)

Director:

Neil LaBute

Writers (WGA):

John C. Richards (story)
John C. Richards (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

She's chasing a dream... they're chasing her.

Plot:

Comedy about a widow's post-traumatic obsession with a soap star.

Plot Keywords:

Soap | Soap Opera | Drug | Nurse | Waitress

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Morgan Freeman	...	Charlie
Renée Zellweger	...	Betty Sizemore
Chris Rock	...	Wesley
Greg Kinnear	...	Dr. David Ravell
Aaron Eckhart	...	Del Sizemore
Tia Texada	...	Rosa Hernandez
Crispin Glover	...	Roy Ostery
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Ballard
Allison Janney	...	Lyla Branch
Kathleen Wilhoite	...	Sue Ann Rogers
Elizabeth Mitchell	...	Chloe Jensen
Susan Barnes	...	Darlene
Harriet Sansom Harris	...	Ellen
Sung Hi Lee	...	Jasmine
Laird Macintosh	...	Dr. Lonnie Walsh

Also Known As:

Nurse Betty - Gefährliche Träume (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA (original rating) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Canada:14A | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG (cut) | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Durango, Colorado, USA

Company:

Gramercy Pictures (I)

Trivia:

Production Designer Charles Breen used The Wizard of Oz (1939) as inspiration for the look of the film. If you look closely, you'll find hidden references that pay homage to the 1939 film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Betty gets to her friend's house after being questioned at the police station, the blankets covering her in bed change drastically.

Quotes:

Charlie: I'm a garbage man of the human condition.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Supernatural: Lucifer Rising (#4.22)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Don't You Know

A Splendid Little Black Comedy.

LaBute's 'Nurse Betty' tells the story of a young housewife (and part-time waitress) in search of the man of her dreams. Sounds like another fluffy romance, no? Not quite! Her adulterous trash of a husband is scalped. Two hit men, a father who's about to retire and his son, are after her (the father happens to be in love with her). The man of her dreams is a character from a soap opera...she travels half the country just to be with him. Little does she know that it's only an illusion. Yes, it is a bizarre little comedy but fun nonetheless. Zellweger proves to be the perfect choice to play Betty. She delivers a very nuanced, comic and moving performance. Has Morgan Freeman ever gone wrong? He's just laugh out loud hilarious. Chris Rock too takes a chance playing the villain and does a fine job. Greg Kinnear and the supporting cast that includes Tia Texado, Allison Janney, Aaron Eckhart, Kathleen Wilhoite and Crispin Glover are all good. the soundtrack is beautiful and very romantic. It just adds to the surreal mood of the film. A lot of the film takes place on the road giving us glimpses of the beautiful American landscape and an adventurous feel. Towards the end, there's a beautiful scene between Morgan Freeman and Renee Zellweger (well I can't say what it's about without giving spoilers) which is the real turning point in Betty's life and the way that scene was presented amidst the chaos in the next room is amazing. 'Nurse Betty' is a sweet film that dares to go against the usual standards of American comedy. There are some very graphic scenes of violence and there's the element of suspense as the father and son track down Betty. Yet, it manages to stand as an adventurous comedy that is uplifting and brings a smile.