Sliding Doors (1998)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Peter Howitt

Writer:

Peter Howitt (writer)

Release Date:

24 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

There are two sides to every story. Helen is about to live both of them ...at the same time. Romance was never this much fun.

Plot:

A London woman's love life and career both hinge, unknown to her, on whether or not she catches a train. We see it both ways, in parallel.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Cheating | Waitress | Love | Parallel Time

Awards:

6 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Helen Quilley
John Hannah	...	James Hammerton
John Lynch	...	Gerry
Jeanne Tripplehorn	...	Lydia
Zara Turner	...	Anna
Douglas McFerran	...	Russell
Paul Brightwell	...	Clive
Nina Young	...	Claudia
Virginia McKenna	...	James's Mother
Kevin McNally	...	Paul
Terry English	...	Kind Cabbie
Paul Stacey	...	Man on Tube
Peter Howitt	...	Cheeky Bloke
Joanna Roth	...	Suspicious Girl
Neil Stuke	...	Defensive Bloke

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Manitoba) | Iceland:L | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Singapore:PG (cut) | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIA | Hungary:14 | Italy:T | Mexico:B | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (original rating) (1997)

Filming Locations:

Waterloo & City Line, London Underground, London, England, UK

Company:

Intermedia Films

Trivia:

Minnie Driver was originally offered the leading role ahead of Gwyneth Paltrow

Goofs:

Continuity: When James and Helen are sitting in the diner, they are drinking pink milkshakes. As the shots cut back and forth the shakes disappear and reappear. Also in the next scene James talks about drinking chocolate shakes, even though they were pink, not brown.

Quotes:

Lydia: I just thought of a great ending for your book... THE END.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Film '72: A Christmas Treat" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Amateur

This movie is funny!

I saw this movie on its opening night, despite lukewarm reviews. As my date and I watched the final credits, we looked at each other and said "well, the critics were certainly wrong!"

I'll briefly reiterate what everyone else has been saying...the premise is intriguing, the characters lovable (or hatable, as the case may be), and we're all pulling for Helen to ditch the jerk and get with the nice guy.

The thing people are failing to mention is how hilarious this movie is. It's really a light romantic comedy, besides all the "what if there really is a parallel universe?" questions we all are asking ourselves when we watch it. It's got some of the greatest and most quotable lines of any movie I know, and some really great laughs (such as Russel listening to Gerry's lamenting about his situation.)

I highly recommend this movie. You won't be disappointed.