Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1332 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-08-06
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Nice concept, shaky execution--that about sums up the mixed blessings of British actor Peter Howitt's intelligent but forgivably flawed debut as a writer-director. It's got more emotional depth than most frothy romantic comedies and its central idea--the parallel tracking of two possible destinies for a young London professional played by Gwyneth Paltrow--is full of involving possibilities. It's essentially a what-if scenario with Helen (Paltrow) at the centre of two slightly but significantly different romantic trajectories, one involving her two-timing boyfriend (John Lynch)and the other with an amiable chap (John Hannah) who represents a happier outcome. That's the film's basic problem, however: the two scenarios are so romantically unbalanced (one guy's a total cad, the other charmingly sincere) that Helen inadvertently comes off looking foolish and needlessly confused. Still, this remains a pleasant experiment and Howitt's dialogue is witty enough to keep things entertaining. It's also a treat for Paltrow fans; not only does the svelte actress handle a British accent without embarrassing herself but she gets to play two subtle variations of the same character, sporting different wardrobes and hairstyles in a role that plays into her glamorous off-screen persona. --Jeff Shannon

Special Features
1.78 Wide Screen
English
Region 2

Synopsis
A beautiful young English woman learns that she has been fired from her PR job. On the way home, the doors of a tube car close on her, opening the "what if" floodgates. She begins to live out two lives: if she had made the train, and if she hadn't. An intriguing concept about fate and how simple moments have the ability to change our lives.

Customer Reviews

Give it a first/second try if you like Gwyneth Paltrow and/or John Hannah
I admit that the first time I saw this movie I didn't like it at all. Now it is several years later and I have watched almost all of John Hannah's work, so I caught this movie on cable television. On my second viewing and much to my surprise, I absolutely loved it! I was already familiar with Gwyneth Paltrow's work. She is a very talented actress. Now, I also think John Hannah is a very talented actor.

As (Helen), Gwyneth Paltrow was smart, energetic, sexy yet sweet, very pretty, made the best of each situation, and sometimes made mistakes. She was a totally likable character.

As (James), John Hannah gets embarrassed and says silly things in the movie like, "never end a sentence with a preposition - must look up in my English grammar book" - or something similar. He was so funny and sweet and caring with her. His stories were just like "husband jokes". They are so silly that they make you laugh. I loved how he encouraged her in everything she did in her life, from the moment he met her.

John Lynch was her "live in" partner but that's another story. He loved her, but did he love her enough?

It was a cute little romance film with a "what if" view of Helen's life if she took one path or another. If only we were all lucky enough to "actually see" what would happen if we did "this or that" in our lives or is it better not to know?

I love movies, especially romantic comedies. I really thought this was better than a lot of romantic comedies I've seen, and would never admit to anyone how many times I have watched this one movie.

An incurable romantic!

I never tire of this movie!
Obviously this is a movie that polarises opinion. In my case, I was utterly charmed when I first saw it ten years ago and was equally charmed when I watched it on telly this week. The idea of following two parallel lives is intriguing and I thoroughly enjoyed all the performances (especially that of the wonderful John Hannah - it's the Glasgow accent!). Did I care about what happened to the characters? Absolutely! Was it funny? I laughed out loud a few times and believe me, that does not happen easily. I suspect that the droll Scots style humour will not float everybody's boat but hey - it may float yours. Why not find out?

a lovely lil film
this is a great film. i really enjoyed it. it's a clever film about what would happen if.... and the story is told from 2 perspectives, and how close they both came to colliding. a film that makes you think, and a great overall performance from john hannah who is as usual irritating but strangely loveable as well.