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Paperback Romance

Original title: Lucky Break
  • 1994
  • R
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
419
YOUR RATING
Anthony LaPaglia and Gia Carides in Paperback Romance (1994)
ComedyRomance

Putting your best foot forward has never been so sexy - or so deliciously funny - as in this entertaining, oddball comedy that proves that it's worth it to go to outrageous lengths for the o... Read allPutting your best foot forward has never been so sexy - or so deliciously funny - as in this entertaining, oddball comedy that proves that it's worth it to go to outrageous lengths for the one you love.Putting your best foot forward has never been so sexy - or so deliciously funny - as in this entertaining, oddball comedy that proves that it's worth it to go to outrageous lengths for the one you love.

  • Director
    • Ben Lewin
  • Writer
    • Ben Lewin
  • Stars
    • Gia Carides
    • Anthony LaPaglia
    • Rebecca Gibney
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    419
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ben Lewin
    • Writer
      • Ben Lewin
    • Stars
      • Gia Carides
      • Anthony LaPaglia
      • Rebecca Gibney
    • 4User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast69

    Edit
    Gia Carides
    Gia Carides
    • Sophie
    Anthony LaPaglia
    Anthony LaPaglia
    • Edward 'Eddie' Mercer
    Rebecca Gibney
    Rebecca Gibney
    • Gloria Wrightman
    Robyn Nevin
    Robyn Nevin
    • Anne-Marie LePine
    Marshall Napier
    Marshall Napier
    • George LePine
    Jacek Koman
    Jacek Koman
    • Det. Yuri Borodinoff
    Siobhan Tuke
    • Kate
    Lewis Fiander
    Lewis Fiander
    • Mr. Bruce Wrightman
    Mary-Anne Fahey
    • Myra
    Michael Edward-Stevens
    Michael Edward-Stevens
    • Benny
    Steady Eddy
    • Nicholas
    Michael Veitch
    • Det. Sgt. Scott
    Russell Fletcher
    • Det. Tyrone
    Nicholas Bell
    Nicholas Bell
    • Sophie's Doctor
    Kurt Ludescher
    • Ernst
    Max Bruch
    • Diamond Cutter
    Lynda Gibson
    • Library Clerk Carol
    David Watson
    David Watson
    • Professor Type at Party
    • Director
      • Ben Lewin
    • Writer
      • Ben Lewin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      When riding in the back seat of Eddie's car, after convincing the doctor to leave her leg cast on for two more weeks, Sophie is wiggling her supposedly paralyzed toes.
    • Crazy credits
      Very special thanks to Elizabeth Hastings and her broken leg.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: She's So Lovely/Hoodlum/Excess Baggage/Paperback Romance/M/Le Samurai (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Love and Affection
      Performed by Joan Armatrading

      Courtesy of A&M Records through PolyGram Pty. Limited

      Written by Joan Armatrading

      © Reador Music (London) Ltd.

      Used by permission of Reador Music Australia Pty. Ltd.

    User reviews4

    Featured review
    10/10

    A True Paperback Romance

    Okay, at first glance, this film may seem trashy and meaningless. The first scene alone made me think it was some sort of porno flick, and I almost changed the channel, but then scene changed and the captivating duo of Gia Carides and Anthony LaPaglia immediately drew me to the movie with what seemed to be the start of a sweet, idyllic romance. Boy meets girl in library, asks her out for coffee...problem, she says "No". And this is when the movie takes some meaning. She's disabled. Polio has affected one of her legs, and she thinks that the guy would never be interested in her if he found out.

    Afterwards, the comedy begins, which is a bit kooky, almost Naked Gun-like. But the romance and the chemistry between Sophie (Carides) and Eddie (LaPaglia) is truly what kept me glued to the screen.

    After watching the film, I found out on the net that Carides and LaPaglia were a real-life couple, which made the film romance so much more endearing and engrossing (I watched it again the next week).

    All in all, the film was truly a "Paperback Romance"-the raunchy scenes, the quirky plot, the great chemistry between the two leads, and that the romance spanned to real life (an ideal but uncommon occurrence). I perceive the movie as I do paperback romance novels, focus on the romance and block the lewd parts (which are few and far-between anyways).
    • Gia-5
    • Jul 12, 1999
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 15, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Lucky Break
    • Filming locations
      • Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Generations Films
      • Lewin Films
      • Such Much Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $151,068
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $13,939
      • Aug 17, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $151,068
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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