Film Review: Chances Are (1989)

It is always interesting to find potentially “spicy” and controversial content in what, at first glance, would look like a generic and unremarkable Hollywood product. One of such examples is Chances Are, 1989 fantasy romantic comedy directed by Emile Ardolino. The plot begins in 1963 Washington, D.C. where young district attorney Louie Jeffries (played by Christopher McDonald) gets it all - promising career and beautiful wife Corinne (played by Cybill Shepherd). A year later he gets killed in traffic accident, but his soul is so desperate to return to Earth that he gets reincarnated without previously taking necessary memory wipe. In next twenty three years Corinne has built career as Smithsonian Institution custodian and raised Louie’s daughter Miranda (played by Mary Stuart Masterson) with the help of reporter Philip Train (played by Ryan O’Neal), Louie’s best friend and Washington Post reporter who secretly carried torch for her all that time. Miranda studies at Yale University where she meets fellow student Alex Finch (played by Robert Downey Jr.) who is about to graduate. After graduation, Alex comes to Washington and unsuccessfully tries to land a job in Washington Post. Philip is nevertheless impressed by him and invites him to Jeffries’ home, where Miranda begins to flirt with him. However, it turns out that Alex is actually reincarnated Louie and, as he begins remembering his past life, he gets irresistibly attracted to Corinne while being horrified with the feelings he had until recently had for her daughter.

Chances Are broke even at the box office and enjoyed mixed reviews. Those who watch it today are likely to agree with that verdict, seeing it as a middle-of-the-road film that they shouldn’t feel to sorry to avoid or too sorry to actually watch. Plot that borrows main premise from Classic Hollywood comedy Here Comes Mr. Jordan (and its remake Heaven Can Wait) isn’t particularly original and most of it, including resolution, is quite predictable. Script by Perry and Randy Howze only adds few nods to New Age spirituality and potentially problematic motive of implied incest. The latter is quickly and efficiently swept under the carpet by director Emile Ardolino who insist on keeping the general tone sweet and not offensive to as much as possible. Just like in his previous film Dirty Dancing, Ardolino adds a lot of 1960s nostalgia and even indulges in some likeable dance scenes. However, the script is burdened with unnecessary subplot about Louie discovering corruption scandal, which will be handled in unconvincing and over-melodramatic scene near the end. In the meantime, audience can enjoy some good performances from actors who were stars of New Hollywood (like Ryan O’Neal) or recently re-validated their sex symbol status (like Cybill Shepherd , who made this film while shooting popular television series Moonlighting). In the end, it is Robert Downey Jr. who carries this film and makes it watchable. In somewhat complicated role of Alex/Louie he proves great talent for all kinds of comedy, including physical (which would serve him well few years later in Chaplin. There are worse ways for great actor to pave way for true stardom than this film.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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