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

6 wins & 4 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

In London, the public relation Helen is fired from her position in a PR company. While returning home, she does not catch the train in the subway. But in another possibility of her life, she catches the train in the subway. The story shows two parallel lives of Helen: in one life, she stays with her boyfriend Gerry, and in the other life, she finds that Gerry cheats her with Lydia and falls in love with James Hammerton.

---

Plot Keywords:

multiple outcomes | twist of fate | serendipity | parallel time | destiny | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rowers from London Rowing club, Cygnet, were chosen to be John Hannah's crew mates in the film. The casting director initially went to Imperial College, but when it was noted that they were "all over two meters with flat stomachs" it was decided that lesser rowers than the elite set of internationals would be cast. This is deliberate in order to make Hannah look like the tall athletic one in the boat.

---

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

[last lines]
[Helen drops her earring in the lift. James picks it up and gives it to her]
Helen: [gloomily] Thank you.
James: Cheer up, you know what the Monty Pythons always say...
Helen: "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition"
[Helen and James turn and stare at each other as the lift closes]

---

Crazy Credits

The film's copyright year in the credits is 1997.

---

Alternate Versions

US version was cut for language by Miramax to secure a PG-13 rating.

---

Connections

References Monty Python's Flying Circus: The Spanish Inquisition (1970)

---

Soundtracks

Bennie and the Jets
Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Performed by Elton John
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited by arrangement with PolyGram Film and TV Music

User Reviews

Dont watch this casually, and only from beginning!

This caveat should be posted every month or so... you will be confused if you dont give it all your attention.

If you havent got the idea by now, the movie intercuts between two plot flows.

It's an excellent Paltrow exhibition, and not overly smarmy.... and I suppose the Comedy referred to in the classification is meant to be "Human Comedy"

The cast is excellent, the editing is very good - considering the scenario.

I dont care for the ending but sometimes life takes those turns.

Guys.. you had better have your life in order, and be beyond suspicion, to be watching this with your wife or GF.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 1998 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Dos vidas en un instante

Filming Locations:

The Corn Exchange, 55 Mark Lane, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$834,817, 26 April 1998

Gross USA:

$11,841,544

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,841,544

Company Credits

Production Co:

Intermedia Films, Mirage Enterprises, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1