"Happy Accidents" is a romantic comedy, but it's different. Completely different. In fact, it may be TOO different. I constantly bitch about romantic comedies all being the same, and how they're way too predictable. Well, "Happy Accidents" is definitely different, and it's far from predictable.
Though I don't know why, not including film festivals, it took forever for this movie to hit theaters. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25, 2000, but it didn't get distributed to regular movie theaters until August 24, 2001. Did they have a problem finding a distributor? I guess it makes sense, because it's an unusual movie, but still, a year and a half?
This movie was written and directed by Brad Anderson, and this is my first time seeing one of his movies. Critics seem to like his work. "Happy Accidents" has gotten good reviews, and I heard really good things about "Next Stop Wonderland," one of his earlier movies that he directed and helped write. Also, advanced word on his upcoming "Session 9" has been really good.
Playing the two leads are Marisa Tomei and Vincent D'Onofrio. I like them both a lot, but there was something missing. There wasn't a lotta chemistry there, but they both gave really strong performances. Sean Gullette (he was really good in "Pi" and "Requiem for a Dream") overacts a little, but he's really funny in the movie. Also, Holland Taylor (Brad Anderson's aunt... probably best known for her role as "Judge Roberta Kittleson" in the TV show, "The Practice") is really good as the therapist. There's also a really good cameo. I don't think it's much of a secret, but just in case, I'm not gonna tell you who it is.
I really like Vincent D'Onofrio as an actor. He has a great onscreen presence, but for the most part, I can only see him doing dark characters. Maybe it's because the first time I ever saw him in a movie was in "Full Metal Jacket." Anyone who's ever seen that movie remembers D'Onofrio. He put on about 70 pounds for the role, and his performance is riveting. He's simply awesome in the movie. In it, he doesn't start off as a bad guy, actually, he starts off as the complete opposite. But when his character takes a turn, and he goes from one extreme to the other, it's very convincing... and horrifying. He was also really good in "The Cell," where he plays a guy who's as close to evil incarnate as they come. There were a couple of times when he didn't play a dark character in a movie, like when he played the disrespected writer in "The Player," or when he played "Orson Welles" in Tim Burton's biopic, "Ed Wood." I also remember him in an incredible episode of the TV show "Homicide." Actually, his character was a bit of a prick in that episode, but he then finds himself in a situation that... well, just do yourself a favor and try to find the episode of "Homicide." Anyway, as much as I like D'Onofrio, he may have been miscast. He's supposed to play a lovable, huggable kinda guy here, but for some reason, perhaps because of his extremely scary role in "Full Metal Jacket," he almost hints at being menacing, and very creepy.
Then there's Marisa Tomei. I remember when I saw "My Cousin Vinny" (one of the funniest movies of all-time), and I thought she was perfect. There seemed to be some controversy when she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for it, but I, for one, was thrilled to see her win it. After that, she had a memorable role in the Ron Howard flop, "The Paper" (I thought the movie was pretty good), and she was in a high-profile romantic comedy with Robert Downey, Jr. called "Only You" (it was a chick flick, but it wasn't bad). Since then, she hasn't done a heck of a lot. Mostly, she's had acclaimed performances in small films like "Unhook the Stars" and "The Slums of Beverly Hills." I'd really like to see her in some big movies, and maybe this movie will help that, as could her strong performance in a recent movie I didn't like very much, "What Women Want."
Also, I think Marisa Tomei is really hot. There's this one part where she's standing in front of a church, and she asks Vincent D'Onofrio if he wants to go inside. He's confused by the question, but she keeps asking. We get a great side view as she stands there, pointing at the church, and her belly is poking out from the bottom of her shirt. VERY sexy!
Anyway...
Yeah, I like them both a lot, and they're both good in the movie, but the chemistry just isn't there. Again, Vincent D'Onofrio was probably miscast. Another flaw with the movie is that it's not all that believable. Not just in the basic storyline, but within the characters. You're constantly wondering to yourself, what it is that Marisa Tomei's character sees in this guy? Why would she want a freak like that as her boyfriend? There are certain psychological reasons given, but I didn't buy any of 'em.
"Happy Accidents" is a brave movie for the chances it takes, but the flaws are glaring. However, it has funny dialogue, a really kooky story, and Marisa Tomei looks great. It's a refreshingly different romantic comedy, but it may have been a little too way out, even for me. Was I entertained, though? Yes I was.
Scale of 1-10: 7