Happy Accidents (2000)

Ruby Weaver, a woman from New York, believes she has found the man of her dreams. And Sam Deed is really such, except for he assures that he came from the future.

Director:

Brad Anderson

Writer:

Brad Anderson

Stars:

Marisa Tomei, Vincent D'Onofrio, Holland Taylor

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marisa Tomei	...	Ruby Weaver
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Sam Deed
Holland Taylor	...	Therapist
Mick Weber	...	Floor Supervisor
Nadia Dajani	...	Gretchen
Tamara Jenkins	...	Robin
Cara Buono	...	Bette
Lianna Pai	...	Claire
Neal Huff	...	Artist
Sam Seder	...	Ned
Robert Stanton	...	Fetishist
Stephen Gevedon	...	Frenchman (as Steve Gevodan)
Larry Fessenden	...	Junkie
Sean Gullette	...	Mark
Bronson Dudley	...	Victor

Storyline

Ruby Weaver has man trouble: she tries to fix them, so she's stuck herself with a string of losers. Her current lover, Sam Deed, seems different: he's sweet, tender, just in from Dubuque. But, as Ruby tells her therapist about Sam, in flashbacks we see someone not quite of this world. In fact, Sam informs Ruby that he's from the future, 2470 to be exact. Ruby's sure he's delusional, but most of the time she wants to keep him - and maybe fix him. Although he seems sane, maybe Sam hasn't told her the real story: what's he up to, and who is Chrystie Delancey?

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Plot Keywords:

time travel romance | therapist | eccentric | time travel | flashback | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes the future is better than it used to be

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Feliz Acidente

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,840, 26 August 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$688,510, 23 December 2001

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Film Channel (IFC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Near the end of the movie's theatrical run the director of a science fiction film festival contacted the distributor for a copy of the movie. According to the festival's director, there was a long pause on the other end and the person at the distributor said, "Hmm. Science fiction. Maybe if we had sold it that way..."

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Goofs

In the shot of Sam shown just as Ruby starts the record playing during their first date in Ruby's apartment, a boom microphone is visible in the top center of the shot for approximately six frames.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ruby: Murder? Oh God, Sam, murder?
Sam Deed: It wasn't me.
Ruby: Nobody could understand this, Sam, it's too much. It's too much.
Sam Deed: I think it would be easier if I told you a little at a time. It would sink in a little at a time.
Ruby: Sink in a little at a time? You... you just dropped an emotional anvil on my head. Look at me, I'm flat as a pancake.

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Connections

References Sixteen Candles (1984)

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Soundtracks

Be My Valentine
Written by Jim Ruiz
Performed by The Legendary Jim Ruiz Group
Courtesy of Minty Fresh by arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

Interesting and Refreshingly New

I tend to like character-driven movies and am quickly put off by movies that follow one of the familiar Hollywood stories. This movie successfully ventures into interesting and largely untested ground.

The story is about a man (Vincent D'Onofrio) who becomes romantically involved with a woman (Marisa Tomei) who has a history of co-dependence and failed relationships. He claims that he is from the future. The plot takes us on the journey of their relationship and her questioning of the truth to his claims vs. whether he is another in a string of loser guys that she seems to cling to.

The plot synopsis sounded a little odd, but it was my hope that these two talented actors could pull it off. Both Tomei and D'Onofrio turn in excellent performances. They present complex, interesting and flawed characters who engage our interest. The writing is very good and enjoyable.

My only complaint is the the story sags a little about 2/3 of the way through. A little tighter editing of about 10 minutes of essentially redundant scenes would have made the movie a more engaging.

I rate it a 8/10 and encourage those who like well-written, character-driven movies to check this one out.