A Simple Twist of Fate (1994)

Director:

Gillies MacKinnon

Writers (WGA):

George Eliot (novel)
Steve Martin (written by)

Release Date:

2 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Tagline:

A twist of fate brought them something wonderful... Each other!

Plot:

His life was emotionally closed off from the world, until an orphaned baby showed up at his house.

Plot Keywords:

Gold | Secret | Miser | Baby | Adopted Daughter

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Steve Martin	...	Michael McCann
Gabriel Byrne	...	John Newland
Laura Linney	...	Nancy Lambert Newland
Catherine O'Hara	...	April Simon
Alana Austin	...	Mathilda McCann - Age 10
Alyssa Austin	...	Mathilda McCann - Age 5
Alaina Mobley	...	Mathilda McCann - Age 3
Callie Mobley	...	Mathilda McCann - Age 3
Victoria Evans	...	Mathilda McCann - Age 1
Elizabeth Evans	...	Mathilda McCann - Age 1
Stephen Baldwin	...	Tanny Newland
Byron Jennings	...	Keating
Michael Des Barres	...	Bryce (as Michael des Barres)
Tim Ware	...	Rob
David Dwyer	...	Joe the Bartender

Also Known As:

Twist of Fate (Australia) (TV title)

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:S | Australia:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

A potentially real (not 555 prefix) phone number with area code 910 was given in the movie. Not long after the movie was made, this area code was established for then central, now southeastern North Carolina.

Goofs:

Continuity: When John Newland (Byrne) is outside in the stables talking to his wife Nancy, he is not wearing any neckwear. Yet in the next scene when they are inside, just before he confesses his secret to her wife, he sports a gray silk ascot tie.

Quotes:

John Newland: So, who did you vote for?
Nancy Lambert Newland: [teasingly] Well, I just couldn't make up my mind...

Movie Connections:

Version of Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe (1985) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Matilda, Matilda!

Steve Martin doing drama? Yes!

Steve Martin is, and will always be, a comedian first and foremost. But everyone needs to do something different in their life and he does it well! Mr. Martin took the story of Silas Mariner and has updated it to a wonderful story. It's not a comedy movie because it's not a comedic book that it came from. I think that Mr. Martin has kept the feelings of loss and rebirth (for lack of a better phrasing) vibrantly alive in this adaptation. Steve Martin CAN do drama and he does it so well. The story and characters are rich. You are drawn in to the despair of the main character, feeling for him, but still wanting to kick him in the pants and tell him to get on with, not just life, but living. And when the opportunity to do so presents itself to him. It is a joy to watch him become human again. I could go on forever, but I'm only allowed 1,000 words. Not enough for this movie, so see for yourself what it is that makes Steve Martin not just a versatile actor, but a GOOD actor.