A Simple Twist of Fate

Play trailer

A Simple Twist of Fate

PG-13

Released Sep 2, 1994

1h 46m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

Tomatometer

24 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

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

Jun 25, 2025

Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C

Jan 1, 2011

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

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

Jun 24, 2025

Full Review

Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

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

Jun 24, 2025

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Nov 8, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

thiago s

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.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/02/25

Full Review

Alain E

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.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

tachyon1024

Based on the classic book Silas Mariner, if you are looking for over the top, silly comedy, you will be disappointed. It is actually an emotionaly deep, well written movie. From the shock of his wife's affair and pregnancy that drives a man into seclusion, to his eventual love for an orphaned child.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/23

Full Review

Steve D

Not a great script but Martin makes it work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Ending was a bit silly but not a bad movie 2.9

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/18/22

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

New Port South

0%

51%

New Port South

Watchlist

Stella

29%

76%

Stella

Watchlist

The Horse Whisperer

73%

72%

The Horse Whisperer

Watchlist

Annapolis

10%

60%

Annapolis

Watchlist

The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag

14%

25%

The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now