A Simple Twist of Fate (1994)

hyped garbage

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

The acting in this movie is really good.

This is a very strong film, no doubt.You can tell it's an adaptation of a novel because of how well structured it is. Just like all of those Forest Gumps, Shawshanks, Big Fish... there's a quality in the pace of the story that's superior to the more basic and linear development you'll get with mainstream Hollywood films.Anyhow, there is purpose and meaning to the development of the narrative here, and as mentioned in the title, there is a modern fairytale quality to this film that always brings a charm to the silver screen viewing.Steve Martin, Gabriel Byrne, his wife in the film Laura Linney or Catherine O'Hara (Martin's close friend) all do a great job but it really is Alana Austin, the final grownup version of Martin's adopted daughter, Mathilda, who steals the show. She was just 12 during this film and has all the precocious smarts and surprising maturity young girls often have at that early age.Well written, with an interesting philosophical almost existential question at the center of it, realistic and challenging... and just the right marriage of comedy and drama, and one of these films that grows on the viewer, with a real atmosphere and simpleness at its core.Perhaps too sensitive and subtle, hence the relatively low average by the fans.8/10.

I have always enjoyed Steve Martin. It doesn't matter what he's in; I just admire his talent and I've been downright crazy about his humor since I first saw him do that "King Tut" thing back in the 1970s. Here, he tackles a more dramatic role with so much warmth and sincerity, and he even manages to inject some comic moments in his typical style.To know that he also wrote this screenplay is not surprising, as he's a gifted writer, as well. The story in this film is tremendously life-affirming. If nothing else, it illustrates how even the most serious or threatening situation can turn around, just like that, in the blink of an eye. As with M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs," Christians might be thinking of Romans 8:28 when they see this film -- how events, good or bad, are so often intricately orchestrated to a better end that we really can't see coming.My favorite point in the film is when Steve Martin's character, having just been robbed of the fortune he's amassed in gold coins (he stored his cash in these coins rather than in a bank), sees this sweet toddler girl wandering aimlessly into his home as an event that was simply meant to be, as the "gift" he is given because his money has been taken away. His faithful perspective is greatly rewarded.

I hate to burst some of the viewers high opinion of Mr. Martin's writing prowess, but the fact is that this story was written in 1861, London by George Eliot which, by the way was the pseudonym of Mary Ann Evans. All Mr. Martin has done has changed the names of the charters, their occupations, and set it in America. At the end of the movie is a fleeting credit to the original author, however I fear most folks don't take the time to read those. I think if credit had been given in the start, for instance, adapted from an original work by George Eliot's Silas Marner, by Steve Martin would have been the honorable thing to do. I highly recommend the book, although the movie is done well, the original telling of the story is that much better. Read people! Your letting Hollywood do your thinking.

I missed the first two or three minutes that would have included the credits and so did not realize that I would be watching George Eliot's moving novel. Although the movie was thoroughly modernized it took very little time for me to realize what I was watching. -- Much to my surprise and delight. I felt that George Eliot would have loved this movie. I give it a strong recommendation if you have read "Silas Marner". Those who have not, though, may find it contrived.