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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this film John Lynch plays Gerry, a struggling novelist. In real life Lynch has written novels Torn Water and Falling from Heaven.

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Goofs

At the beginning of the film when Helen walks in on Gerry and Lydia, the straps of Lydia's dress change from being on her shoulder to hanging off her arms between shots.

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Quotes

Lydia: Who's there?
Helen: It's Helen, actually. We met once, I interrupted you faking your orgasm. Sorry I can't be more specific.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Alternate Versions

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

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Connections

Referenced in Amores Perros (2000)

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Soundtracks

Good Enough
Written by Nigel Clark, Mathew Priest (as Matthew Priest) and Andy Miller (as Andrew Miller)
Performed by Dodgy
Courtesy of A&M Records Limited, London by arrangement with PolyGram Film and TV Music

User Reviews

Undoubtedly one of my favourite films

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Helen Quilley, she works in Public Relations and is dating an idiot who is cheating on her (come on guys, would you?) After losing her job she heads home early, and the film then follows two Parallel realities, that cross over and intertwine in a very clever manner, that adds a great deal to the movies quality.

One way, she gets home and finds him cheating, and the other way she is mugged and her boyfriend gets away with it, at least for now.

In this wonderfully charming romantic comedy, great performances from, Paltrow, Lynch, Hannah and Tripplehorn plus a good script and some good laughs all add up to a movie i simply don't tire of. I can't quite put my finger on what it is, i just love it.

9/10 and a must for Paltrow Fans

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sliding Doors

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