A Life Less Ordinary

Play trailer

A Life Less Ordinary

R

Released Oct 24, 1997

1h 43m

Romance

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

A couple of angels, O'Reilly (Holly Hunter) and Jackson (Delroy Lindo), are sent to Earth to make sure that their next supervised love-connection succeeds. They follow Celine (Cameron Diaz), a spoiled rich girl who has just accidentally shot a suitor (Stanley Tucci) and, due to a misunderstanding, is kidnapped by janitor Robert (Ewan McGregor). Although Celine quickly frees herself, she stays with Robert for thrills. O'Reilly and Jackson pursue, hoping to unite the prospective lovers.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Rent Now

Critics Consensus

A Life Less Ordinary has an intriguing cast and stylish work from director Danny Boyle, but they're not enough to overcome the story's fatally misjudged tonal mishmash.

Read Critics Reviews

Mike Clark

USA Today

Lovely to look at, a semi-chore to sit through, this flick could have used an extra blast of pixie dust.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 10, 2018

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The plot's a mess, the characters flail about in scenes without points, and the more we see of Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor, the more we yearn for a nice, simple little love story.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

An ambitious yet not-altogether-successful piece of work...

Rated: 2.5/4

May 17, 2020

Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

It combines romance, comedy, the supernatural, violence, whimsy and music in a unique way.

Rated: B+

Feb 19, 2009

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Any movie featuring Holly Hunter as a blood-spattered angel, grinning homicidally as she clings to the hood of a speeding car, is just about impossible to dislike.

Rated: B

Aug 13, 2007

Full Review

Judith Egerton

Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

Part fantasy-adventure, part musical, part nutty romance and part boy-girl crime spree.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 1, 2004

Full Review

Read all reviews

Jake S.

One of my all-time favorite movies. It’s a fun, at times bonkers ride. The chemistry between McGregor and Diaz is palpable. One of the best romantic comedies ever made in my opinion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

Uynga U

very creative love it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/24

Full Review

erdene c

The acting of the acyprs is amazing.Current situation makes the audience feel real.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/24

Full Review

Munkhjargal A

this movie depicts how angels create love themselves. He made me understand that he can be very successful and fall in love like that. I was happy with the director and learned that it is possible to make people understand in this way.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/24

Full Review

Bahad j

This idea of the film shooting technique director made the film more attractive to people.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

P K

A misunderstood and overlooked gem. Amazing cast, great plot and acting. WATCH IT, give it a chance

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Danny Boyle

Director

Ewan McGregor

Robert Lewis

Cameron Diaz

Celine Naville

Holly Hunter

O'Reilly

Delroy Lindo

Jackson

Ian Holm

Naville

Addicted to Love

55%

50%

Addicted to Love

Watchlist

Four Weddings and a Funeral

92%

74%

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Watchlist

There's Something About Mary

84%

61%

There's Something About Mary

Watchlist

TRAILER

for There's Something About Mary

Two if by Sea

13%

23%

Two if by Sea

Watchlist

Mr. Jealousy

71%

60%

Mr. Jealousy

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

A couple of angels, O'Reilly (Holly Hunter) and Jackson (Delroy Lindo), are sent to Earth to make sure that their next supervised love-connection succeeds. They follow Celine (Cameron Diaz), a spoiled rich girl who has just accidentally shot a suitor (Stanley Tucci) and, due to a misunderstanding, is kidnapped by janitor Robert (Ewan McGregor). Although Celine quickly frees herself, she stays with Robert for thrills. O'Reilly and Jackson pursue, hoping to unite the prospective lovers.

Director: Danny Boyle
Producer: Andrew Macdonald
Screenwriter: John Hodge
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Polygram
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.3M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now