A Simple Twist of Fate

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A Simple Twist of Fate

PG-13

1994

1h 46m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Small-town recluse Michael McCann (Steve Martin) lives an isolated existence until unusual events pull him out of his shell. After his beloved coin collection is stolen, an orphaned toddler suddenly appears at his house. Unknown to Michael, who adopts the little girl, she is the illegitimate child of local politician John Newland (Gabriel Byrne), who keeps his secret to protect his reputation. Later, however, Newland decides to go public with his revelation, leading to a custody battle.

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

Jun 25

This is yet another new Hollywood film about parenting where mothers are apparently superfluous.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

09/05/2002

2/5

Dreary, misconceived movie about a man redeemed by the love of a child.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

01/01/2000

2.5/4

This is not at all a bad movie, mind you, but a good movie gone wrong, through a simple twist of miscalculation.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Jun 24

This charming movie, directed with a light touch by the Scottish filmmaker Gillies MacKinnon, follows the book fairly closely.

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Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

Jun 24

Makes little of the book's symbolism, but captures the redemptive delight the adopted child brings to the miser.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

11/08/2005

2/5

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Mo S.

@9mr_0 6d

فلم حلو و انساني مع كوميديا خفيفه

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thiago s

@Thiagostone May 2

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, o elenco é fraco, mas ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

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Alain E

@AlainE Feb 20

On IMDb, whose ratings Prime Video imports, this disaster has very high score. At least this site is more realistic. Despite well known actors, this is slow and disjointed. I wasted 20 minutes more than it deserves.

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Steve D

02/19/2023

Not a great script but Martin makes it work.

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07/18/2022

Ending was a bit silly but not a bad movie 2.9

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02/11/2022

I Actually Would Have Preferred This Film Not Be Made As The Character Steve Martin Plays Here Does Not Suit His Style, Clearly A Part He Thought Would Work For Him, Having Executive Produced & Screen-Played It Too.. A Rework Of "Silas Marner" But A Modernist Update. A Real Misjudged Move As The Period Doesn't Suit The Updated Variations.. Live & Learn..Mistake Made. Move On Steve..Stick To Comedy.

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Gillies MacKinnon

Director

Steve Martin

Michael McCann

Gabriel Byrne

John Newland

Laura Linney

Nancy Lambert Newland

Catherine O'Hara

April Simon

Stephen Baldwin

Tanny Newland

Stella

29%

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Synopsis

Small-town recluse Michael McCann (Steve Martin) lives an isolated existence until unusual events pull him out of his shell. After his beloved coin collection is stolen, an orphaned toddler suddenly appears at his house. Unknown to Michael, who adopts the little girl, she is the illegitimate child of local politician John Newland (Gabriel Byrne), who keeps his secret to protect his reputation. Later, however, Newland decides to go public with his revelation, leading to a custody battle.

Director: Gillies MacKinnon
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 2, 1994, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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