Nothing in Common (1986)

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers:

Rick Podell (written by)
Michael Preminger (written by)

Release Date:

30 July 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

On his way up the corporate ladder. David Basner confronts his greatest challenge: his father.

Plot:

A successful ad man (Hanks) must juggle his ever-demanding career while his parents' marriage breaks up.

Plot Keywords:

Advertising | Business | Businesswoman | Chicago Illinois | Bar

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tom Hanks	...	David Basner
Jackie Gleason	...	Max Basner
Eva Marie Saint	...	Lorraine Basner
Hector Elizondo	...	Charlie Gargas
Barry Corbin	...	Andrew Woolridge
Bess Armstrong	...	Donna Mildred Martin
Sela Ward	...	Cheryl Ann Wayne
Cindy Harrell	...	Shelley the Stewardess
John Kapelos	...	Roger the Commercial Director
Carol Messing	...	David's Secretary
Bill Applebaum	...	Ted Geller
Mona Lyden	...	Mishi
Anthony Starke	...	Cameron
Julio Alonso	...	Rick
Jane Morris	...	Dale

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:M | Iceland:L | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Delphi Films

Trivia:

Several Ringo Starr references were made in the movie: David aims at being a fourth partner in the firm just like Ringo was the fourth person to join the Beatles. David plays with drum sticks, a reference to Ringo being a drummer. Then when doing auditions for grandmothers, Roger mentions how Ringo Starr had become a grandfather in his 40s.

Quotes:

Max Basner: I lost my lines. They fired me.
David Basner: [David gets out of his Jeep and walks around angrily for a few moments, then gets back in the car] What are you gonna do?
Max Basner: I know you hate me. But you have to help me.

Movie Connections:

References 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Soundtrack:

Nothing In Common

Wonderful Movie - Bess Armstrong at Her Best

I think the movie, "Nothing in Common" was a very wonderful show, from both the perspective of the acting and writing. The evolution of the relationship between the characters of Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason was superb. However, what also had such a high degree of meaning to me was the character development between Tom Hanks and Bess Armstrong. Most especially poignant was the romantic street scene during about the middle of the movie, as the Carly Simon song played, "If It Wasn't Love" when Hanks comes to the realization of what he was letting go..and thus begins to grow up. The eye connection between Hanks and Armstrong as she begins to peddle away toward the end of the song, says it all. No dialog was spoken at all during this scene with the exception of Ms. Simon's lyrics...very moving. Bess Armstrong was wonderful in this role, and I believe much overlooked. She was beautiful inside and out. As another great song once stated, "sometimes, the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see". The movie was the greatest. The actors art seemed effortless, however, that is the sign of a professional. I highly recommend.