A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

Ewan McGregor stars as a cleaning man in L.A. who takes his boss' daughter hostage after being fired and replaced by a robot. Two "angels" who are in charge of human relationships on earth,... See full summary »

Director:

Danny Boyle

Writer:

John Hodge

Stars:

Cameron Diaz, Ewan McGregor, Holly Hunter

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ewan McGregor	...	Robert Lewis
Cameron Diaz	...	Celine Naville
Holly Hunter	...	O'Reilly
Delroy Lindo	...	Jackson
Dan Hedaya	...	Gabriel
Ian McNeice	...	Mayhew
Frank Kanig	...	Ted
Mel Winkler	...	Francis 'Frank' Naville
Stanley Tucci	...	Elliot Zweikel
Anne Cullimore Decker	...	Violet Eldred Gesteten
K.K. Dodds	...	Lily
Tony Shalhoub	...	Al
Christopher Gorham	...	Walt
Ian Holm	...	Naville
Maury Chaykin	...	Tod Johnson

Storyline

Ewan McGregor stars as a cleaning man in L.A. who takes his boss' daughter hostage after being fired and replaced by a robot. Two "angels" who are in charge of human relationships on earth, offer some unsolicited help to bring this unlikely couple together.

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Plot Keywords:

Angel | Robot | Janitor | Security Guard | Novel | 

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Taglines:

A comedy for anyone who's ever been in danger...of falling in love.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Une vie moins ordinaire

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,200,000 (Non-US) (31 October 1997)

Gross:

DEM 1,682,281 (Germany) (30 January 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, Figment Films, Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Brad Pitt did meet with Danny Boyle and producer Andrew Macdonald, the lead part was written with Ewan McGregor specifically in mind.

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Goofs

When first shown, the writing on the glass of the door of Gabriel's office (incorrectly) faces in to the office. In later scenes, the writing is reversed and faces out.

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Quotes

Jackson: We are from the Firm But Fair Eviction and Collection Agency. Now I, I have a list of certain items that we are empowered to collect under Federal and State law in lieu unpaid debts. And furthermore we are contracted to serve upon you notice of eviction from these here premises, uh, forthwith.

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Crazy Credits

For the start of the credits, the top half of image contains a wide box (2.35:1?) which runs footage furthering the plotline. Note the film itself was in 1.85:1.

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Connections

References Reservoir Dogs (1992)

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Soundtracks

"WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW"
Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Published by Screen-Gems-EMI Music Ltd.
Performed by The Shirelles
Courtesy of Charly Licensing ApS

User Reviews

If You Get It, Its Amazing, If Not, Its Not

I remember seeing A Life Less Ordinary back in the late 1990s with high expectations as Trainspotting was one, and still is, one of my all time favorite films. What I got was a different film, but not in a bad way. It was fun and very different from anything else that came out around that time. But the funny thing was that after I saw it I kept thinking about it, little things; lines and camera shots that stuck in my head. By the time I watched it again, a week or so later, it was like the film was an old friend. There is a charm in every scene of A Life Less Ordinary and if you are able to pick up on it the film is a great experience. People I know are split on the film, most think its just OK. Although I enjoy ALLO its not perfect, some parts don't work very well and come across as corny, but the good, my man Ewan is just great as the lovable loser, far outweighs the bad and thats why it has a place in my film collection.

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(This review was originally written by a man but then a robot replaced him.)