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 | 2000s | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the UK DVD cover released in 2007, the blurb on the back features a review quote which reads, "Wow! Outstanding! Completely blew me away". The credit given for the quote is "IMDb".

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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

Features Love Affair (1939)

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Soundtracks

Our Man in Havana
Written by Eric Hilton
Performed by Exodus Quartet
Courtesy of Instinct Records

User Reviews

WOW!!!!!!!! A third brilliant Anderson! (NO SPOILERS, just a plug!

WOW!!

I had heard good things about this film, had liked Session 9 a lot, and will watch anything with d'Onofrio. Even so, this film completely blew me away.

It's science-fiction for adults, who prefer ideas and emotions to explosions and goofy makeup.

It's romantic dramedy at its best, with two memorable characters portrayed by highly skilled and REAL actors. In fact both Tomei and d'Onofrio are close to perfect in these roles.

It's a premise that continues to develop over the entire span of the film, never becoming predictable or plot-driven.

It offers striking supporting performances from Holland Taylor and Jose Zuniga, and a flat-out GREAT scene with Tovah Feldshuh that's driven by subtle and moving screenwriting.

It offers memorable and witty cameos from Mike McGlone and Anthony ("just call me Michael") Hall. And you gotta love the conceit of a guy who fantasizes about being A.M. Hall during sex!

From the opening shot to the end, it offers countless felicities of mise-en-scene, camera movement, framing, and editing, courtesy of Brad Anderson.

And there's a final shot that manages to be both very subtle and emotionally complex, while still seeming completely inevitable.

I even liked the loose ends that were never wrapped up!

SEE THIS FILM!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Happy Accidents

Filming Locations:

Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$688,523

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$688,523

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