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Happy Accidents

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Happy Accidents

R

Released Aug 24, 2001

1h 50m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

63 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A comedy that pays tribute to the science fiction genre -- specifically, the sub-genre of time travel. But here the alternate reality is contemporary New York City where past and future experiences of trust, commitment and denial are cleverly put to the test. Just as Ruby (Marisa Tomei) is beginning to relish her first-ever healthy relationship, Sam (Vincent D'Onofrio) begins muttering about being a time traveler from the year 2470.

Critics Consensus

Happy Accidents has enough quirkiness and charm to rise above the more formulaic entries in the romantic comedy genre.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Tangy romantic comedy plays sly games.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

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Susan Stark

Detroit News

Rated: 2/4

Nov 2, 2001

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Eric Harrison

Houston Chronicle

The story isn't perfectly proportioned ... but it gets quirkier at the points where most romantic comedies go limp.

Oct 19, 2001

Full Review

Kathi Maio

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

To make an exhilarating movie, a filmmaker should play with a genre, but not in the same old ways...

Feb 27, 2020

Full Review

MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

[A] warmed-over episode of The Twilight Zone.

Nov 19, 2008

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Carlton S

Close to zero chemistry between them. She spoke like a longshoreman. Premise was ho-hum. People say they’ve watched it Multiple times so we tried it. Just ok. Wouldn’t recommend.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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Jay M

Such a charming movie. Loved it and rewatch it every now and then!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/25/23

Full Review

Ami S

One of my favorite movies of all time. Beautifully and brilliantly combines sci-fi and romantic comedy. Great creative and imaginative plot that includes a very sweet love story. If you loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you'll love this one too.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Two people can still meet and fall in love...even centuries apart Marisa Tomei and Vincent D' Nofrio are two different beings that happen to accidentally fall in love Taking place in contemporary NYC Sam meets and falls for Ruby, a single young woman who falls in love too easily But the real ball buster here is that Sam is actually from the future...specifically the year 2470 AD as he claims Sam explains the future isn't what it used to be so he travels back to this particular point Ruby of course is having a hard time taking his word This movie pays tribute to the science-fiction genre but adding in some romance What's a relationship without mystery? Is it better to call it quits when your suspicions are confirmed or play with the fantasy? Is there fun to be had from so-called delusions of grandeur or does it go too far? Relationships are not fair but are more battles for supremacy Tomei and D' Nofrio are so adorable together, the music very soft and sentimental, the romance angle plays off pretty realistically given it can be like any relationship people have to trek through The twist reveal at the end did a very good job too making me see the entirety of this man's journey There's enough quirkiness and charm to avoid the common pitfalls of most romantic-comedies people know them for Definitely enough intrigue here for sci-fi fans and romance lovers to chew on

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Audience Member

3.0. I feel this movie shoulda and easily coulda been so much better. No matter what you tell me, he coulda told her how she dies

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/21

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Audience Member

Loved it! It's beyond interesting and so engaging!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Brad Anderson

Director

Marisa Tomei

Ruby Weaver

Vincent D'Onofrio

Sam Deed

Nadia Dajani

Gretchen

Tovah Feldshuh

Lillian

Holland Taylor

Therapist

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Synopsis

A comedy that pays tribute to the science fiction genre -- specifically, the sub-genre of time travel. But here the alternate reality is contemporary New York City where past and future experiences of trust, commitment and denial are cleverly put to the test. Just as Ruby (Marisa Tomei) is beginning to relish her first-ever healthy relationship, Sam (Vincent D'Onofrio) begins muttering about being a time traveler from the year 2470.

Director: Brad Anderson
Producer: Susan A. Stover
Screenwriter: Brad Anderson
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Accidental Productions, Independent Film Channel
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 24, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $688.5K
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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