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Chances Are

  • 1989
  • PG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Robert Downey Jr., Mary Stuart Masterson, Cybill Shepherd, and Ryan O'Neal in Chances Are (1989)
Home Video Trailer from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
2 Videos
51 Photos
Romantic ComedyComedyFantasyRomance

A reincarnated man unknowingly falls in love with his own daughter from his previous life. Once he realizes this, he tries to end their relationship before angels erase his memory.A reincarnated man unknowingly falls in love with his own daughter from his previous life. Once he realizes this, he tries to end their relationship before angels erase his memory.A reincarnated man unknowingly falls in love with his own daughter from his previous life. Once he realizes this, he tries to end their relationship before angels erase his memory.

  • Director
    • Emile Ardolino
  • Writers
    • Perry Howze
    • Randy Howze
  • Stars
    • Cybill Shepherd
    • Robert Downey Jr.
    • Ryan O'Neal
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    14K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Emile Ardolino
    • Writers
      • Perry Howze
      • Randy Howze
    • Stars
      • Cybill Shepherd
      • Robert Downey Jr.
      • Ryan O'Neal
    • 77User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    Chances Are
    Trailer 0:31
    Chances Are
    Chances Are: Approach The Bench
    Clip 0:55
    Chances Are: Approach The Bench
    Chances Are: Approach The Bench
    Clip 0:55
    Chances Are: Approach The Bench

    Photos51

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    Top cast40

    Edit
    Cybill Shepherd
    Cybill Shepherd
    • Corinne Jeffries
    Robert Downey Jr.
    Robert Downey Jr.
    • Alex Finch
    Ryan O'Neal
    Ryan O'Neal
    • Philip Train
    Mary Stuart Masterson
    Mary Stuart Masterson
    • Miranda Jeffries
    Christopher McDonald
    Christopher McDonald
    • Louie Jeffries
    Josef Sommer
    Josef Sommer
    • Judge Fenwick
    Joe Grifasi
    Joe Grifasi
    • Omar
    Henderson Forsythe
    • Ben Bradlee
    Susan Ruttan
    Susan Ruttan
    • Woman in the Bookstore
    Lester Lanin
    • Conductor
    Richard DeAngelis
    Richard DeAngelis
    • Hot Dog Vendor
    Franchelle Stewart Dorn
    • Receptionist
    • (as Franchelle Dorn)
    Jacquelyn Drake
    • Bradlee's Secretary
    Don Richards
    • Bonino's Defense Attorney
    June Thorne
    • Clerk of the Court
    Nat Benchley
    • Marshall
    Cliff McMullen
    • Marshall
    Carey Hauser
    • Paramedic
    • Director
      • Emile Ardolino
    • Writers
      • Perry Howze
      • Randy Howze
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews77

    6.514.3K
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    Featured reviews

    8preppy-3

    Sweet, romantic and funny

    A charming romantic comedy. The plot is a little too complicated--I tried to summarize it three times and I can't. Suffice to say it's worth seeing. The movie is funny, beautiful--the plot is totally unrealistic but it works. Everybody in the movie is so nice and everything looks so great--it creates a sweet, romantic feel through the entire film.

    The acting is great--Robert Downey Jr. and Cybill Shepherd are in top form and enjoying every second of it. Ryan O'Neal and Mary Stuart Masterson are just OK but fine. If you're a sucker for good, sweet sentimental films (like me), catch this one. Also Downey looks great in his underwear!

    Extra bonuses--the title song sung by Johnny Mathis and another great song "After All" sung by Cher and Peter Cetera.
    Cherob

    Very enjoyable!

    I saw 'Chances Are' with Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O'Neal, Robert Downey, Jr. and Mary Stuart Masterson today on cable, after having seen it many times before. I've always liked it. I liked the plotline of a loved one returning in another's body and being able to express earlier unsaid feelings and take care of 'unfinished business' in a warmhearted and comedic way. Yes, it's a total fantasy, but still, we can dream! I like all of the principal actors and find Robert Downey Jr. adorable. The music was also very enjoyable, as Johnny Mathis sings the title tune (obviously : ) ), and the theme-'After All'- written by Tom Snow and performed by Cher and Peter Cetera, has a great sound. This wouldn't be on the top of my list for rentals, but if you catch it on tv or cable, I think you'll enjoy it.
    8harry-76

    Charming Romantic Comedy

    Writers Perry and Randy Howze crafted a very engaging little story in "Chances Are."

    Using the idea of a reincarnated man who happens to return to his former wife's home many years later, the plot takes unexpected, delightful turns.

    Twenty four year old Robert Downey, Jr. renders a delightful performance, ably assisted by Cybil Shepherd as the widow and Ryan O'Neal as a good friend.

    This trio has just the right chemistry for this caper, playing off one another with a graceful style. I've watched this film a number of times on tv, and each time found it most enjoyable.
    6SnoopyStyle

    awkward premise

    Corinne (Cybill Shepherd) and Louie Jeffries (Christopher McDonald) are expecting their first child. He's a prosecutor in Washington, D.C. He loses his case. Based on a tip from his best friend reporter Philip Train (Ryan O'Neal), he discovers that Judge Fenwick was bought off. He dies in an accident before he could see his child born. In the after-life, he is in a rush to return to his life. Before his memories are wiped, he races to be reborn. Years later, Alex Finch (Robert Downey Jr.) meets Miranda Jeffries (Mary Stuart Masterson) at Yale. Alex eventually remembers that he was Louie and Miranda is Louie's daughter.

    It's charming and cute. Downey has wonderfully undeniable charms. The only thing holding me back is that awkward connection between Alex and Miranda. It's sort of psychic incest. I would have kept him with Cybill Shepherd all the way to the end. They are a fun pairing. It would also solidify them as true love beyond all barriers.
    9settember

    Chances Are, you'll like it!!!

    I was always a big fan of this movie, first of all have you seen the cast, the acting is superb and help make this movie move along very well. Cybill Shepherd was given great reviews for her role, and they were well deserved. The beginning of this movie starts in the past when Corinne Jeffries (Cybill) whose picture-perfect marriage comes to a shattering halt when her husband Louie dies unexpectedly. Fortunately, Louse gets a second shot at life when he agrees to be "recycled" back to earth as the newborn Alex Finch (Robert Downey, JR). Alex goes on to live his new life forgetting his past life while Corinne tries to get on with hers. But fate crosses Alexs path 23 years later when he meets Corinne's daughter Miranda (Mary Stuart Masterson) and is suddenly flooded with a wealth of unwanted memories (this is where the fun begins, and embarrassing situations occur.) The music is great and the scenes are heart felt and very cute. You wont be disappointed if you give it a chance, Chances Are you'll like it. Very funny and sweet!

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The inspiration for the movie came to screenwriters Perry Howze and Randy Howze, who are real-life brothers, from a true story their grandmother told them about their great-aunt. "Our aunt", related Perry, "was married to the love of her life, a southern stock broker, for one year. They were a young, beautiful, glamorous couple. After a year of bliss, he died of a brain tumor, and our aunt never recovered. She was that committed and devoted to him." Randy continued: "We thought, wouldn't it be a joyous thing if her husband came back into her life. We like that notion of life and love not ending with death, just continuing and changing form."
    • Goofs
      The newspaper issue at the end shows the date to be Sunday August 7, 1989. August 7, 1989 was a Monday.
    • Quotes

      [Miranda sneaks into Alex's bedroom and into his bed wearing only lingerie, crawling under the sheets with him]

      Alex Finch: [Alex thinking it's Corinne, invitingly responds] Hi, darling.

      Miranda Jeffries: [Miranda whispers] Shh! Mom's next door.

      Alex Finch: [Alex sits up turning on the bedroom light] What are you doing here?

      Miranda Jeffries: What does it look like I'm doing?

      Alex Finch: Miranda!

      [Alex covers his naked chest with the blanket sheet]

      Miranda Jeffries: What?

      Alex Finch: [Alex sounding like a father says] It's way past your bedtime. Go to your room!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Chances Are/Paperhouse/The 'Burbs/Bert Rigby, You're a Fool/High Hopes (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      After All (Love Theme from Chances Are)
      Performed by Cher and Peter Cetera

      Produced by Peter Asher

      Written by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford

      Peter Cetera appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records, Inc.

      Cher appears courtesy of Geffen Records

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 10, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ein himmlischer Liebhaber
    • Filming locations
      • Old Rockville Courthouse - 29 Courthouse Square, Rockville, Maryland, USA
    • Production companies
      • TriStar Pictures
      • Lobell/Bergman Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,278,590
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,664,386
      • Mar 12, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,278,590
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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