CHANCES ARE
US, 1989, 103 minutes, Colour.
Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O'Neal, Robert Downey Jr, Mary Stuart Masterson, Christopher Mc Donald, Josef Sommer.
Directed by Emile Ardolino.
Chances Are is a very pleasant ghost story - a touch of reincarnation - but all is sweetness and light. It is an attractive vehicle for the more mature Cybill Sheppard - as well as a genial role for Ryan O'Neal. Robert Downey Jnr (Pickup Artist, Less Than Zero, True Believer) is enjoyable in the central role. Mary Stuart Masterson is a vigorous leading lady as well. There are Washington settings, a world of affluence. There is glamour. There is also some humour. Direction is by Emile Ardolino, director of Dirty Dancing.
1. Romantic comedy, romantic ghost story?
2. Washington and Virginia in the '60s and the '80s? Homes, museums? life-style and fashion? Musical score?
3. The title, Johnny Mathis' song, romance, reincarnation?
4. The wedding, Corinne and Louis, in love, Philip and his declaration of love? Happy, life, the anniversary, Corinne telling Louis she was pregnant, the gifts, Philip's arrival? The court sequence, the judge harsh on Louis? Phil and the tip-off, the photo of the corrupt judge? The return, crossing the road, the car accident and his death? Corinne's grief?
5. Scenes of heaven, the line-up of the dead, the angels, Louis and his impatience to get back, his choice about how to return, the angel forgetting him to give the injection to forget?
6. 25 years later: Alex, grown up, working in the library, helping Miranda with her overdue books? Travelling, sleeping in the car, ambitions, going to Ben Bradley at the Washington Post? The encounter with Philip and their immediate friendship, Philip's help? The interview, his lack of experience, not accepted? Disappointment? Meeting Philip, the lift, finding himself in the Jeffrey's household?
7. The jogging of his memory, things that he would say about objects in the house, images coming back, his realisation who he was, his upset during the meal and being sick, the repercussions for his relations with everybody, the decision to tell Corinne, her reaction? Wanting to tell Philip but unable? Warding off Miranda? Wanting to help Corinne, overhearing about the money, the social and his dancing with Madge, the comedy, getting her cheque, giving it to Corinne? Seeing the earrings? Corinne believing, his hesitation, setting up Phil and the encounter with Corinne? In the court, his behaviour, the accusation of the judge, the photo? The
second accident, in hospital, the angel coming with the injection? Not remembering anything, in love with Miranda, the job from Bradley because of the photo scoop?
8. Corinne, happy, pregnant, the death, her grief of 25 years, busy, the exhibition of the First Ladies, love for Miranda, protecting her? Philip and his devotion? Her offhanded meeting of Alex, worrying about his behaviour, the night, the morning, her job and the need for money, his telling the truth, her upset, the social and Madge, believing him, in love, the memories? Her devotions to Louis? Going to the psychiatrist and his analysis, her various rituals? Meeting Philip, the night with him, the sense of love, admitting that Louis had been dead for 25 years? Alex's loss of memory? The wedding?
9. Phil and his pleasantness, good friend, work, marriages, helping Alex, cooking the meal, his adoration of Corinne, fathering Miranda, Alex almost telling him the truth, the night with Corinne, love? The court, realisation of who Alex was? The help? The wedding?
10. Miranda and her study, the overdue books, meeting Alex, the puzzle, her advances and his rejection, her love for her mother, for Philip, their being together, her study, going to court, the happy ending?
11. The angels and the management of heaven, the lists, reincarnation, the injection? The belated injection?
12. The judge, his handling of the c se, treatment of Louis, the photo, exposed 25 years later?
13. A sweetness and light fantasy?
