Movies-TV

Truly, madly, deeply original

As the volume of recent comments on this decade-old-movie, "Chances Are" (1989), indicates a present European-wide TV spread, I should raise the point that the movie is in fact merely "Truly, madly, deeply" (1991) meets "Peggy Sue got married" (1986).The movie is based on the mixed notion from the above movies about the late husband coming back to the material world in the shape of the man-boy himself, Robert Downey Jr., only in order to convince his doubting ex-wife about the meaning and values of her present life. When his ex-wife realizes that she loves her present husband, the ghost from the past disappears as he has fulfilled his mission.In addition to this, humorously, an old injustice is set right.Cute and corny.

worthwhile as a romance

I don't exactly know why it works so well...maybe just the story itself. But all the actors get to be seen going through major emotional changes. I'm not that crazy about Robert Downy, Jr., but there's something really "juicy" and attractive about him, and there's always Mary Stuart Masterson's sweet little face to watch. This is DEFINITELY a "chick-flick"; one of the reasons being that involves a younger man with a much older woman, something not very many men can watch. Watch it one of these days!

likeable movie

This is one of the rare romantic comedies that comes off making you feel good. In spite of all the potentially creepy or awkward scenes it actually ends up being cute and heartwarming. It's also one of those movies where little details are tied to later plot developments making the whole thing seem more tidy and well-developed. Of course you have to be open to a small suspension of disbelief to accept the reincarnation device and the idea that so many things hadn't changed in the 23 years between the death of Louie and the arrival of Alex, but these things are really minor. This one is definitely worth having in the collection.

Its a very touching movie.

Chances Are applies to all the people out there that believes that there is always a second chance for everything. The first time I watched this film,i loved it already. It tells us about a man who died right at the time that his wife is gonna have a baby. He begged the people up there to let him go back to his family again, and he came back as a guy who is so much younger than his wife. Cybill Sheperd was the perfect actress for the part of Carin and Robert Downey Jr showed that he is an actor worth of everybody's attention, he was perfect for the part of the reincarnated Louie.

briefest of thrills

this is a trifle,with nary a redeeming thing to offer. Ryan
O'Neal,Robert Downey, and Cybil try to save this thinly
plotted farce, but alas, not to be done. This dog waffles
on forever,but pays back little except Cybil in a slip,
which come to think of it,is probably worthwhile for those
of you with freezeframe. Elsewise, be forwarned:this dog
won't hunt. The premise of Chances Are, couldn't be sold
to the point of suspenion of disbelief for even a glimmer.
An acting exercise, no more.All of the principals have
done far better.

Love this movie

Definitely an 80s classic. Not the most well-known film out there, but it's absolutely great.

chances are dvd

it was a dvd my daughter wanted, it is a movie we enjoy- it was new so in good shape.

"He forgot his shot."

A man gets killed in a fatal car accident and is whisked away to heaven where, apparantly there is a hefty waiting line. Obsssed with getting back to his wife, he jumps on the fast track to be reincarnated. But, the heavenly helper forgets to give the obsessed man his shot.

So, after growing up, and meeting back up with the wife he once had and her daughter, everything comes flooding back.

Freqeunt memory lapses occur in Robert Downey jr.s' head constently.

Now, to try to make things right, he confides that he was her man to be. But, after countless fights, misunderstandings, and mixed feelings, everyone has to deal with this new change . . .even Robert.

Is this movie any good? Chances are that it is.

Enjoy!

One of my all time FAVES!!

Yes, I'm sentimental & schmaltzy!! But this movie (and it's theme song) remain one of my all time greats!! Robert Downey Jr. does such justice to the role of "Louis Jeffries" reincarnated and the storyline (although far-fetched) is romantic & makes one believe in happy endings!!

So touching

The script is well written - there were moments so touching that my eyes turned watery.


The superb cast is another reason for the success - Cybill Shepherd (Moonlighting), Ryan O' Neal, Mary Stuart Masterson (Bed of Roses) and Robert Downey, Jr. These are faces which we seldom see nowadays and what a refreshing treat it is to watch them portraying their roles naturally, in their prime and with all their hearts. Robert Downey, Jr.'s performance, as the incarnated husband of Shepherd who died 23 years ago, was brilliant. He added an additional level of depth and sophistication to his character - warm, understanding, more than you would expect from a 22-year old and exactly what the movie required him to be - a forty something dad who was very proud of his grown up daughter and her job as a prosecutor.


The story was simple and complete on its own: a reunion of the deceased husband with the living after 23 years - his wife, his loyal best friend, a daughter he never lived to see. By a simple twist of fate in the end, we saw the jigsaw pieces fall in the proper place. A beautiful song with a nostalgic melody was sung as the credits started rolling.

A wonderful movie.

Pretty funny film

(ONE MINOR SPOILER)This is a rather old movie, released (I think) in 1989. Its main premise is that a man dies while his wife is pregnant. He comes back as a young 22-year-old in the present day and falls for first his daughter (not realizing she's his daughter) and then his wife (when he remembers she's his wife.)I really, really liked this movie. Much has been said about the guy's (Louie) twisted sense of morality, since he falls for his own daughter, but remember, that's when he doesn't know she's his daughter. (It seems that most people don't understand that at one point an angel gives Louie a shot that erases the memory of his past life.)What really struck me was the great soundtrack for the movie. When I couldn't find it for sale, I downloaded the songs from Napster, and love them all. They're great, especially how they're used in the movie.I could probably watch this movie a dozen times. So many people dislike it, but I love it.

Puff-pastry reincarnation comedy

Robert Downey, Jr. was never more relaxed and clean-cut--and benign--than he is here, cast as an ambitious young man who crosses paths with an older woman still mourning the death of her husband many years prior. Before you can say "déjà vu", Downey begins to understand he's the reincarnation of the woman's beloved...and that her playfully flirtatious daughter could very well be his child too! Tasteful, easy-to-take romantic comedy written by Perry and Randy Howze mixes sentiment and farcial elements rather smoothly, and director Emile Ardolino keeps things moving fast, but there's nothing of substance here to make the film meaningful (or even memorable). When the Howze's do try for a sense of seriousness (as with Ryan O'Neal telling Cybill Shepherd the only man to ever "come back" was Jesus Christ), the movie comes to a halt. There are some good performances, particularly by Shepherd (very low-keyed) and a twinkling Mary Stuart Masterson, but the picture is so cozy and glossy it practically evaporates. ** from ****

Chances Are DVD

The dvd arrived promptly and in excellent condition. I am very please with this purchase. Thank you. Patricia Harmanci

worth a look

I was surprised to read bad reviews (on this site) for a movie I found to be charming, entertaining and comical. Robert Downey Jr was delightful as the poor confused boy with a past (past life that is). Cybil was also enjoyable and very funny. The supporting characters were also great and I found the movie to be a great "feel-good" movie. It may not be the best of all movies but I'd like it! (c:

Chances Are

It is an old movie which I had enjoyed and I wantd a copy for my collection

Just great....

Cybil Shepherd as always is excellent, as is Robert Downey Jr. in this great film.

Alex (Robert Downey Jr) is reincarnated, and suddenly gets his memories from his previous life... only to discover he was the father of his current love interest.

Watching Alex respond to his daughter - or dodging her advances, when she's more interested in being his girlfriend... is quite hilarious! Along with his memories, the emotions (his love for his wife) come back as well. Problems? Convicing his wife who he is, handling his best friend's love interest of his wife, and then dealing with the attraction his daughter has on him.... to name a few!

It's really fun watching him try and convince his wife who he is! You'll be cheering him on, all along the way!!! Sweet, touching, funny, full of emotions and fun from the first frame of the film, all the way to the last! As for the ending (without giving anything away, of course!)... is not quite what I thought it would be... but it's perfect.... and a little odd at the same time!

Charming romantic movie, wonderfully done by cast

I've just seen this movie for the second time on television. It's lovely, warm, sentimental, very very romantic. I've rarely seen actors better able to reveal by their movements and gestures love for another -Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O'Neal, Robert Downey,Jr. and especially Mary Stuart Masterson simply outdo themselves. Masterson probably has the hardest role and is just adorable. The movie is in the vein of both romantic movies such as While You Were Sleeping, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and the "high gimmick" sorts of movies like Big, Back to the Future, Peggy Sue Got Married. I hate to say this, because this cast was superb and I'd never change any of them- but I think it didn't succeed as well as the movies mentioned above because the box office appeal of the cast was just not as great as Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Michael J. Fox, and Kathleen Turner at the time the movie was made.
It's not superbly written - e.g., the characters' lines are not particularly memorable. Yet it's executed to perfection. The romantic yearnings are truly palpable, the "feeling" of people falling in love is exquisitely communicated, love's timelessness and all-encompassing sweep, the feeling of loss and desire to recapture that connection, are so touchingly delivered. Again and again, you will find yourself moved. Actually, a comparable movie is Made in Heaven -the same romantic yearning.Do see this - it's lovely.

This is my all time favorite!

This movie is the best movie ever! It has been my favorite ever since i was little! There is a song, which has the same title as the movie which is played throughout the movie, this song is so romantic that i am having this song as my first dance at our wedding! If you are looking for a funny/romantic movie then this is it! The cast alone tells you how fabulous this movie is! Robert Downey, JR., Cybill Shepherd, and Mary Stewart Masterson are all wonderful and charming in this all around great movie! Please, please, please watch it for your self and you will see!

A pleasant fantasy comedy that's aided by the performances of a strong cast

A married couple (Cybill Shepherd, Christopher McDonald) remain extremely faithful to one another throughout their marriage but their happiness is cut short by McDonald's accidental death. Shepherd is devastated and her husband's best friend (Ryan O'Neal) serves as her only other male companion. O'Neal has strong romantic feelings for Shepherd and would like to fill in her empty nest but he only wants to pursue it if he's sure that Shepherd is ready for it as well. One night, Shepherd's teenaged daughter (Mary Stuart Masterson) invites a friend (Robert Downey Jr.) over for dinner. A heavenly mix up causes McDonald's spirit to be inside Downey's body and he and Shepherd are brought back together by fate much to O'Neal's chagrin. A fairly amusing romantic fantasy comedy that works in spite of its sometimes hokey plot.

Great comedy/romance...

Nay Sayers of this film are likely bitter from some seriously unrequited love. This is a great film for anyone capable of understanding Johnny Mathis's song, or any song from that era: Bobby Darin's, Beyond the Sea... or Stan Getz's, The Girl From Ipanema, et al...I measure films by how many times I have to watch them before I'm satisfied... Chances Are had me back a few good times.I also watch the synergy between the cast... I thought they worked well together.Open your heart, and let the comedic magic of film transport you.'Alan