7.0/10
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One True Thing (1998)

R | | Drama | 18 September 1998 (USA)
One True Thing Poster
A career woman reassesses her parents' lives after she is forced to care for her cancer-stricken mother.

Director:

Carl Franklin

Writers:

Anna Quindlen (novel), Karen Croner (screenplay)

Stars:

Meryl Streep, Renée Zellweger, William Hurt | See full cast & crew »
63
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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Meryl Streep ... Kate Gulden
Renée Zellweger ... Ellen Gulden
William Hurt ... George Gulden
Tom Everett Scott ... Brian Gulden
Lauren Graham ... Jules
Nicky Katt ... Jordan Belzer
James Eckhouse ... District Attorney
Patrick Breen ... G.A. Tweedy
Gerrit Graham ... Oliver Most
David Byron David Byron ... Senator Sullivan
Stephen Peabody ... Harold
Lizbeth MacKay ... Dr. Cohen
Mary Catherine Wright Mary Catherine Wright ... Clarice
Sloane Shelton Sloane Shelton ... Evelyn Best
Michele Shay Michele Shay ... June
See full cast »
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Storyline

When a tough New Yorker's mother is stricken with a serious illness, she is forced to quit her job and her relationship with her boyfriend to take care of her, finding out a lot of things she didn't know about her mother and father and her life along the way. Written by L. Lim <penny1@es.co.nz>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

cancer | female protagonist | melodrama | dysfunctional family | terminal illness | See All (33) »

Taglines:

Love What You Have.

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Portuguese

Release Date:

18 September 1998 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Cosas que importan See more »

Filming Locations:

Morristown, New Jersey, USA See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,606,455, 20 September 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$23,245,840
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Monarch Pictures,Ufland,Universal Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Meryl Streep called Bette Midler to use her songs in the movie and Bette Midler said of course. See more »

Goofs

Ellen's nightdress changes between shots when she answers the phone in bed. See more »

Quotes

Kate Gulden: It's so much easier to be happy, my love. It's so much easier to choose to love the things that you have, and you have so much, instead of always yearning for what you're missing, or what it is you're imagining you're missing. It's so much more peaceful.
See more »

Connections

References Dragnet (1987) See more »

Soundtracks

Paraiso de dulzura
Written by Hector Lavoe
Performed by Hector Lavoe
Courtesy of Fania Records Sonido, Inc.
See more »

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User Reviews

 
True Thing is True to Life
10 November 2001 | by LibertyBelle – See all my reviews

It's not surprising that the majority of higher-rated votes were submitted by females aged 45+. This is the timeframe in women's lives when they become the caretakers of aged and ill parents. I lost my mother, from complications of cancer, in June, and went through most of the same emotions portrayed by Zellweger in this film. Yes, it made me cry, but the tears were real, the characters were real, and the plot development extremely accurate. Kudos to the entire cast and crew for a wonderful portrayal of life and death, and the promises of tomorrow.
12 of 15 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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