Nothing in Common (1986)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

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

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:

Tom Hanks gets off the plane and sees the drivers holding names of passengers; one of the drivers is holding "Isolde" and another "Tristan". These are the star-crossed lovers of legend.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Max Basner: [to David] You're the last person I ever thought would come through for me.

Movie Connections:

References 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Soundtrack:

Don't forget to dance

An intelligent and moving comedy drama featuring one of Tom Hanks' better performances

NOTHING IN COMMON was a smart and sentimental comedy drama that offered a pre-Oscar'ed Tom Hanks one of his best earlier roles. Hanks plays David Basner, an advertising executive whose lightning-quick advancement at his company becomes hampered when has to start taking care of his father (Jackie Gleason, in his final film role)who has become completely helpless after his wife (Eva Maria Saint) has left him. This comedy takes some pointed and effective jabs at the advertising industry and still manages to be a warm family story as well. Hanks beautifully walks a fine line between comedy and drama in one of his better and nearly forgotten performances. Gleason is abrasive as the dad, but Saint is lovely as the mom. Sela Ward, Bess Armstrong, and Barry Corbin are also effective in supporting roles and the ending has been known to produce a few tears. An intelligent and heartwarming look at the choices that we sometimes have to make regarding career and family.