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You can take this 1992 thriller one of two ways: it's either a highly suspenseful movie about an unfortunate young woman's psychological breakdown, or it's a glossy slasher movie starring two of Hollywood's best young actresses. Or maybe it's both at the same time--or perhaps it's the clever and well-acted thriller for its first hour before resorting to the routine shocks of a cheap horror flick. However you look at it, there's no denying that this is a dynamite showcase for Jennifer Jason Leigh as the roommate from hell who becomes the bane of Bridget Fonda's existence. First she picks up Fonda's mannerisms, then starts to borrow her wardrobe, cuts her hair to resemble Fonda's, and even "borrows" her roomie's boyfriend for a deceitful night of lovemaking. By that point Fonda's totally freaking out (wouldn't you?), and, well, that's when the whole thing gets a little too silly. Still, this is a nifty little shocker, and director Barbet Schroeder brings more intelligence and style to the material than it really deserves. Add that to the fine performances by the battling roommates and you've got a movie that will make you think twice before inviting total strangers to live with you. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

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Highly entertaining albeit thin journalism thriller, this examination of a 24-hour period in the life of a New York Post-ish tabloid focuses on a hard-working metro editor (a pitch-perfect Michael Keaton) thinking of going to a loftier job at a rival paper. Edgy, "NYC as the center of the universe" full of sweat and grit, the paper debates the hot story of the day: a racial shooting. Like most movies from Ron Howard's universe (Parenthood, Backdraft), it's always just a movie, full of dramatic, over-the-top setups instead of the genuine article. Still, the film has the feeling of being there, full of workman's vigor where "I'm on deadline" is the family motto. The cast is just right although the roles are stereotypical: the grizzled editor-in-chief (Robert Duvall) the cold female manager (Glenn Close), the slightly whacked-out ace columnist (Randy Quaid), and the rest. Each actor has choice moments in this movie that may turn fans on to the hectic side of journalism. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Because your whole world can change in 24 hours
Is the theme of this film, one of the best films I have ever seen at the only movie I have ever seen eight times in the theater. Yes, I saw ONE movie eight times in the movie theater, but the thing is I never got sick of it. I'm already a bit biased given Michael Keaton is my all time favorite actor, but I love this movie for so many more reasons. The acting by Michael, Marisa Tomei, Robert Duval, Randy Quaid and Glen Glose is just exceptional, and Ron Howards directing is on the mark as always.
There are also some good cameos by the late William Kunstler and Jason Robards. There's also a hillarious cameo by Bob Costas which I won't give away, you've just gotta see it:)

Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton) has a grueling job as an editor at The New York Sun (my guess being it's supposed to be a ficitional verison of The New York Post judging by such front page headlines as "No Parking Except For Me" and "Gotcha") that usually keeps him from his wife nine months pregnant wife Martha (Marisa Tomei) 24/7, so she's pressuring him to get a cushier job at The New York Sentinal (fictional version of The New York Times based on their mantra of "We Cover The World.") Henry of course doesn't want to be out of the action that makes him down Cokes and Tums all day, and finds himself subconsciously sabatoging the interview in the pursuit of finding out the truth behind a grizzly murder and exonerate the two boys arrested for the murder whom he knows in his gut are innocent. The movie takes place during these twenty four hours; from battling with bosses, to fights, to shootings to a father trying to make ammends with his daughter he neglected; this movie shows a day in the life of five people as they try to find the truth behind the murder and the truth about their lifes. Because your whole world can change in twenty-four hours.

An hilarious look at workings of a semi-reputable paper
"The Paper" is one of the funniest films of the 1990s, providing an extraordinarily realistic view of the behind-the-scenes (dys)function of a newspaper office. This tabloid-styled commuter paper is just large enough to need to be seriously professional, while also being just small enough for that serious professionalism to be virtually impossible to accomplish.

Unless you are a journalist for the type of 'paper of record' which the film satirizes in the form of the stuffy, rival "Sentinal" (clearly modelled on the NY Times), "The Paper" will yield much of its humour from its high realism.

"The Paper" covers a single day in the implosively pressurized life of a reporter (Michael Keaton) who also happens to adore his job. The dynamism generated by the wise-guy supporting cast (which includes Randy Quaid, Roma Mafia, and Robert Duvall) makes it easy to understand why journalism is not a profession so much as an addiction. What would make a saner and more timid employee flee for the hills, produces a soaring high to the seasoned journalist. As Keaton's wife (Marisa Tomei), hugely pregnant and stuck on leave, exclaims after a gunshot is suddenly fired in a news office: "God I love this place".

Virtually every line spoken in the newspaper office is beautifully snide and worth catching, so keep the remote control close at hand.

The genuinely crazed encounters between Keaton and Glenn Close, playing a penny-pinching, ethically-challenged manager whose need to respect a deadline collides with Keaton's eleventh-hour attempt to produce an accurate and ennobling story, contribute strongly to an overall comedic masterpiece.

Though the journalistically-inclined will get a special kick from "The Paper", its appeal should be nearly universal, such is delerious wit of its dialogue and the thrill of its frenetic pacing.

Smart, Smart, Funny Movie.
This movie is about a day in the life of a New York tabloid and the people who pour life and soul into the paper. It's a marvelous cast and ensemble piece. It has some very funny lines and furious dialogue. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen this movie. I know every bit of the plot and just about every line in it. Yet is never fails to make me laugh nor am I even the slightest bit tempted to fast-forward to the punch line. Well worth having in your movie library.

Good movie, Bad DVD...
Ron Howard isn't the most dynamic of directors -- his style is pretty vanilla and he hasn't picked the greatest projects in the world (i.e. Ransom) but he was right on the money with The Paper. While he tends to cram a little too much into one day -- nobody has that exciting a day -- you have to give him a bit of artistic license -- it is a movie after all.

Michael Keaton is well-cast as the big city paper editor with too much on his plate. He can do the manic side of his character (see, well, any movie he's ever done) and he's also up for the serious stuff too. Obviously, he must enjoy playing a journalist as he did a great job as one in Live From Baghdad as well.

The cast is what makes this film work so well. Aside from Keaton, the other real stand-out is Randy Quaid as a fellow reporter and friend. For years now, Quaid as been typecast in dumb guy roles. It so refreshing to see him actually play an intelligent, street savvy reporter in this film. He gets all the great lines and steals all the scenes he's in. The film really kicks into gear when he and Keaton team-up to blow the lid off of a high profile story. I'd love to see these guys do another film together.

While the film does get a tad on the preachy, idealistic side, it still is a very entertaining look at working on a major newspaper in New York City. It's a shame that the DVD is such a letdown. No extras and pan and scanned. Ugh. However, Opie seems to be revisiting his films on DVD with new special editions (i.e. Splash, Ransom). Hopefully, this one will get the deluxe treatment.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!! This is one great movie!
Another great movie from Ron Howard!!! A great cast!!! A treat from start to finish!!! And this DVD version delivers!!! It looks and sounds great!!! A top notch DVD from Universal!!! A Five Star Movie!!! A+ ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Modern version of George Eliot's story 'Silas Marner'
I really enjoyed viewing this movie when I rented it a few years ago. 'A Simple Twist of Fate' is based on Mary Ann Evans' (1819-80; Pen-name George Eliot) story 'Silas Marner'(if anyone is interested in reading Silas Marner on-line, go to this web address, inside the {} brackets: {http://www.mastertexts.com/Eliot_George/Silas_Marner/Index.htm}

Steve Martin is a sad & lonely bachelor school teacher who's life feels empty and irrelevant; Then a sweet little baby girl walks into his life. The short of it is that she has recently become an orphan; So Steve Martin adopts her. Raising this precious little girl brings much love, joy, and happiness into their lives. It is a story about the transformative and healing power of love.

I was dismayed to find that this movie is not currently available to purchase

This is an adorable film all should see.
I rented this movie and liked it so much that I bought my own copy. Steve Martin did a good job of taking this movie and making it modern from George Elliot's book Silas Marner. All the characters played their role well and it has great music and scenery. Everyone should at least see this movie once in their life if not more!

Silas Marner gets an update.
A SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE is a good middleweight movie which doesn't quite go into the top-drawer class because of a few predictable moments and a truly cheapjack ending that doesn't just stretch plausibility but mangles it completely. Steve Martin wrote the script and produced it as well as starred and it's apparent that this was a special project for him. He, Catherine O'Hara, Laura Linney and Gabriel Byrne are all in fine form and Alana Austin just melts your heart away as the Martin character's adopted daughter.If it's not a classic film it's still a good way to spend an hour and forty-five minutes and makes me forgive Steve Martin for SGT. BILKO two years later.

A Must Have
This movie warms your heart, feeds your mind and leaves you feeling like there is hope for humanity. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Steve Martin is awesome in this film.

Excellent Movie!
This movie is excellent. Most of the movie was filmed at my next-door neighbors farm across town. I remember watching the movie being filmed when i was younger. It is a great movie and I highly recommend it for people of all ages. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Harry S. Truman had a hard row to hoe as the 33rd president and he never enjoyed popularity while in office. Think about what occurred on Truman's watch: the bombing of Hiroshima, a nationwide railroad strike, the rise of the Southern States' Rights Party, integration of the armed forces, the ascendancy of McCarthyism, the early cold war, and finally the Korean Conflict and Truman's decision to fire General MacArthur. Few American presidents have been faced with more difficult and dangerous times than Truman. It wasn't until some 50 years later that Harry Truman, a farmer from Missouri, got his due appreciation in the history books.Truman follows the man from his beginnings as an artillery officer in WWI through his connections with Missouri's Pendergast political machine and onward to Washington.The always-excellent Gary Sinise is a perfect fit for the Truman character, having obviously studied the President's plainspoken Missouri twang and ramrod-straight bearing at great length.Diana Scarwid is also very good as Truman's long-suffering wife Bess; the film studies the relationship between the two in some depth, and also sheds light on the men who surrounded Truman in Washington. Truman's chief failing is that in its effort to detail 40 years of the man's life, certain historical events are given short shrift in order to fit them all in.Nonetheless, Sinise inhabits the character well; the scene where the President ruminates on dining alone in the White House (while Bess is back in Missouri) is a great, understated comment on the loneliness, isolation, and stress of the job. --Jerry Renshaw ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Sinise is Brillant!
I have watched this movie many times and have always felt better for it. I have always had a great respect for President Truman. Mr.Sinise's performance was heart-warming & captivating. He brought the essence of the character to life. The movie transports the viewer to his time and does not let go until the end (which, I found myself wanting to know more of the Trumans, post-White House). Diana Scarwid's portrayal of Bess Truman conveyed that the man who made some very tough calls in a nation's darkest hours had a woman of steel behind him. He made decisions that were unpopular and yet necessary. "War is Hell". Our 33rd President did what he felt was right at the time. He is in my estimation one of the most under-appreciated US Presidents and important historical figures of the 20th Century.

WHO SAYS HISTORY ISN'T INTERESTING!
Film biography is very ticky business. Directors are often tempted to to make their subjects out to be over the top martyrs, or self- importent gods. Frank Pierson avoids that trap in this wonderful look at our 33rd president, Harry S. Truman. The Truman we see here, as brought to us by the always wonderful Gary Sinise, is a very flawed human being. He's not sure of everything, and he makes his share of mistakes. However, he is also an honest, inteligent man, who works hard to help our country, and becomes one of our greatest presidents.Pierson's attempt to make such an honest movie is commendable, as is his wonderful recreation of America in the first half of this century. Rural Missouri in the 1920's and Washington D.C. in the 1940's are brought to us effortlessly. It is a delight to see such informative and interesting portrayals of great men like Harry Truman coming out in recent years. It is importent that we as Americans know about the great men who have served our country, and what better a way then through the movies?

Gary Sinise does it again!
This DVD stars Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman and covers his life from when he is a farmer, through marrying Bess, up until the time he leaves the White House. Gary is terrific as usual and when he gets going as the older Truman on the campaign trail, he is dynamic. Also stars Diana Scarwid as Bess, who is usually in campy movies such as playing Christina Crawford in Mommie Dearest, but she is also very endearing as Mrs. Truman. There are some very cute points, especially when the Truman's move into the White House, the "first house they have ever had alone" and Mrs. Truman comments about how dirty it is! Not to be missed! One minor flaw - there are NO special features on this DVD.

One Small Complaint...
The wardrobe researchers should have paid more attention to the military uniforms worn by the real-life personages herein portrayed, particularly Gens. Marshall and MacArthur. Aside from that, this is an interesting movie condensation that should prompt viewers into reading more biographical information about Harry Truman. He and Sam Rayburn appear to have been the last two honest and honorable Democrats who ever drew breath.

excellent
this movie was a great portrayal of a man who was a good leader thru difficult times,it seems like the presidents before and after had a difficult time, but not like harry truman. his decission to fire general macarthur, was probably
the worst decision he made, but generally his difficult decisions were for the best interest of the people he served ... Read more

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Tiger Ann (Kelsey Keel), a tomboy in 1950s Louisiana, has an upturned nose and the husky voice of a young Kathleen Turner. She lives in the country with her parents and Grandma Jewel (Shirley Knight). Her 12-year-old life appears to be perfect. It isn't. Her mother and father are "slow" and her grandmother can be bossy (though she's the engine that keeps the household running). To make matters worse, the townspeople aren't as understanding of her family's differences as Tiger has been taught to be of theirs. After Jewel passes away, Tiger's already precarious world is turned upside down and she finds herself longing for the glamorous city life of Aunt Dorie Kay (Juliette Lewis). My Louisiana Sky was directed by Adam Arkin (Chicago Hope) and movingly depicts the difference between the love of family (however messy) and the desire for approval (however lonely). For ages 7 and up. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Factual just like I remember it!
I Love this movie and ordered a gift copy to my sister who still lives in a small Louisiana town. You probably have to be a Southernor to appreciate all the nuances in this movie. For instance, no one actually refers to Aunt Dora as a prostitute, but it is alluded to in text and body language, the Southern way. To be fully aware, keep on your toes and observe to catch all the implications. Remember, most folks did not have a big income, a car, and they were not merchandise junkies, yet. I lived during this time and I found this movie to be authentic and factual including the food bounty at this country home, the friendships of both races, the love of the outdoors. Enjoy!

Awesome
This movie was awesome, I was actually in Kelsey Keel's class in eighth grade and she is as sweet in real life. I love this movie and would reccomend it to anyone!

This Movie Makes History Come Alive!
I don't know where to begin but this movie is going to be a new classic for kids...move over Sounder, Anne of Green Gables, Treasure Island....I was entranced. The actors in the movie are fabulous... I found myself making comments aloud about their acting throughout the film. The themes are timeless and ones in which we can all relate. The costumes are wonderful...I was taken back in time and couldn't leave my TV to even get a drink and I studied every detail of the dresses, hair, shoes, and makeup. If you think history is boring, watch this movie...it all will change for you and you'll realize that we all aren't so different afterall.

Touching story that warms the heart!
This is a great movie, especially if you have southern roots. So many movies that depict southern life can be hokey and not very accurate depictions.

While not all the accents are the greatest in this movie, the characterizations are top-notch. The depth of feeling and the attention to period detail are wonderful.

A warning...this is definitely a tear-jerker!

A cute family movie
Although I have not seen this movie on the DVD format, I can say I saw it on VHS, and it's a clean wholesome family movie of a girl coming of age story in the south during the 50's. The story focuses on the family itself and the growing pains of a girl with no siblings.

(Taken from VHS cover....Based on the award winning book, "My Louisiana Sky" is a heartfelt portrait of one girl's emotional journey to a place she'd always dreamed of and the road back home.)

I rated it three stars cause I grew up with brothers, and there was little for me to relate to in this movie, Its a family kind of Hallmark film. I don't know if the movie has a rating, but its a definite G rating movie. Its kind of in the genre of "Old Yeller" by Disney. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Roomate from hell
Single White Female for most of its running time evolves into a truly creepy, menacing little thriller laced with moments to make the skin crawl. However all the psycholgical elements that are cleverly thrown into the mix, get flushed down the tube in it's final half hour. Fonda, after finding out that her boyfriend cheated on her, promtly boots him out of her flat and takes on a roomate in the form of Jennifer Jason Leigh. At first she seems sweet, kind and gentle natured but things start to change dramatically as Leigh transforms from a mousy, incredibly shy introvert to a total psychopath (to put it lightly). It seems Fonda's new roomate has ideas of not only borrowing a few items of clothing but taking over her life for herself completly. Both leads are convincing enough given the rather irrational screenplay and there are times when the film has it's inceredibly dark moments but it all ends up in typical slasher style somewhat butchering a half well made movie.

A Fight for Identity
This is a really good film that is more than just a thriller, but a statement about identity as well. Barbet Schroder (Murder by Numbers) scales the lonely apartment building with his camera and shows the gargoyle statues perched on the ledge. There are many shots like this and a theme of a very small person in a very large and modern world that is close to swallowing up our individuality is explored in this disturbing thriller.

Bridget Fonda gives a sweet performance as the emotionally vulnerable Allie Jones. She exposes her heart in an intimate moment with her boyfriend Sam (Steven Weber) when she tells him, "Your the best thing that's ever happened to me". When she is forced to advertise for a SWF roomate another sweet personality comes into play as shy Hedra Carlson (Jennifer Jason Leigh) wins over Allie and moves in.

What develops is a slow evolving nightmare as Hedra subtly transforms herself bit by bit into Allie. Barely noticable at first it becomes more and more pronounced until Allie must fight for not only her identity but her life as well. Leigh is great as always and we feel sorry for her at first just as Allie does. She seems to have no life at all. Even when Allie thinks Hedra might be fooling around with someone in the apartment what she sees is quite different.

Hedra taps into all Allie's insecurities until she is in danger of dissappearing. A scene in the dark where Allie's boyfriend Sam is sexually fooled by Hedra before he realizes it is not Allie is particularly disturbing. Schroder seems to be pondering if one person has become interchangable with another in today's world.

The ending is violent and bloody but it has no other place to go. Hedra can't live as Allie if Allie still exists and Allie must overcome her fear in order to live. Both Fonda and Leigh work well together and each gives a fine performance in this lonely feeling movie that makes us think about our own identity.

This is a good film to watch late at night with the lights off. It has a lonely and eventually disturbing feel to it and will have you wondering the next day how easy it would be....

Shocking!
Jenninfer Jason Leigh is totally out of control while Bridget Fonda fears for her life in this psychological thriller. Allie Jones (Fonda) puts an ad in the newspaper for a room mate wanted, a single white female. She quickly gets a response from Hendra Carlson (Leigh) and has Allie convinced. She moves in and seems like the perfect room mate. But Allie begins to notice some of her belongings missing and Hendra's style and personality changing. Before long, Hendra's obsession with Allie's life proves it's self when Hendra gets a complete make over and looks exactly like Allie. And to top it all off, Hendra tries to seduce Allie's boyfriend! When Allie finds out and confronts her about it, the film takes off into violence, mild gore, insanity, and murder. Allie tries to uncover Hendra's dark past before Hendra's increasingly violent behavior targets her. The worst scene is where Hendra becomes crazy-jealous after Allie leaves with her boyfriend. The dog is bothering her and she's so upset and irritated she throws it out the window! Allie and her boyfriend return to hear screams and the horrific mess on the pavemant. This film goes to great lenghts to terrorize the viewer!

A thriller the way they're supposed to be...
If you're looking for a truly creepy thriller than look no further than this one, containing flawless acting by actresses Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh. For those reviewers who say the film is let down by the final half hour I have to say: pah! That's the best part! The half hour climax where Ally (Bridget Fonda) desperately fights off a now totally psychopathic Hedra (Jennifer Jason Leigh) makes the film in my eyes. The basic film premise is this: Ally's live-in boyfriend cheats on her and is shown the door, not used to living alone, Ally advertises for a room mate, enter Hedra, a shy quiet librarian. The two become friends but Hedra's envy and awe of her new best friend's style and beauty leads her to begin to emulate her and become her twin (the reason for her obsession is revealed in full in the film but I won't spoil it for those who might want to see the film). When Ally makes peace with her boyfriend and wants him to move back into the apartment, Hedra grows jealous and incredibly vindictive at being asked to move out and begins to become obsessive, culminating in her offing a few characters (including one hapless soul having a stiletto stabbed through his eye in a very original and memorable murder scene). The final battle between the two ladies is nothing short of gripping, and the scenes incredibly convincing as they wrestle, shoot and stab their way through the apartment complex in an edge of your seat fight for survival finally ending down in the creepy shadowy basement in the belly of the building. A slew of these type of psychological thrillers followed after the success of this film (The Crush, Deadbolt, The Babysitter, Mother's Boys, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle etc) but none besides the latter of course being up to SWF's standard. High points of the film include the creepy somewhat infamous scene where Hedra emerges from the hairdressers, her hair cut from long and dark to short and auburn in an exact imitation of Ally's, and Hedra's violent disposal of a newly bought puppy that won't come to her. The film was adapted from an average novel titled 'SWF Seeks Same' but in it's adaptation to the big screen became a very stylish thriller. A hit at the box office when released it is well worth seeing and is a guaranteed tense and nail biting viewing experience for any fans of a good thriller. Five stars.

The roommate from hell.
While interviewing roommates Jennifer Jason Leigh shows up and gets the position. She wears Bridget's clothes, hair style, perfume and proceeds to mimic her in every way. She even kills her dog "Buddy" and blames it on the boyfriend. There's a lot more to this movie.

Bridget Fonda, Jennifer Jason Leigh.

A must-have movie. Don't take my word buy it for yourself from AMAZON.COM. ... Read more