Alaina Mobley, Alana Austin, Alyssa Austin, Byron Jennings, Callie Mobley ...( see more  see more... ) , Catherine O'Hara , Elizabeth Evans , Gabriel Byrne , Laura Linney , Michael Des Barres , Stephen Baldwin , Steve Martin , Victoria Evans

A Simple Twist of Fate, Steve Martin's second adaptation of a classic (after his Roxanne-ization of Cyrano de Bergerac), is a melancholy, dramatic comedy about a recluse coming out of his shell. Sugge...( read more  read more... )sted by George Eliot's Silas Marner, this isn't a cutesy picture akin to Father of the Bride. It's much more heartfelt, gentle, and satisfying, as long as you accept its traditional and predictable conclusions. Scorned by life, Michael McCann (Martin) lives in an auburn-tinted town and goes on with his colorless life. That is, until an abandoned child is left on his doorstep, and he adopts her. A custody battle ensues years later with far too many cheap, unconvincing courtroom dramatics in which money is the root of all evil, but the tone and wholesomeness of the story are special. Gabriel Byrne pulls off a nearly unplayable role as the town's aristocrat with fine underplayed support by Catherine O'Hara and youngster Alana Austin. The wonderful score is by Cliff Eidelman. --Doug Thomas

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52% liked it

9,006 ratings

PG-13, 106 min.

Directed by: Gillies MacKinnon

Release Date: September 2, 1994

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DVD Release Date: May 6, 2003

Stats: 244 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (244)


  • January 31, 2008
    based on Silas Marner
  • November 13, 2007
    great movie
  • July 14, 2007
    Get the tissues out. Heart warming movie.
  • October 17, 2006
    So cute.
  • September 27, 2006
    Thought this was great. Shows you don't have to father or give birth to child to love them.
  • November 2, 2009
    This movie is about a man named Michael McCann (Steve Martin) who lives a lonely simple life. That is, until he finds an abandoned little girl on his doorstep. From there he goes on to adopt the young girl. But a custody battle erupts a couple years later. But of course it turns ...( read more)into a battle of money, which McCann doesn't have a lot of.
    This movie was very heart warming. Not a comedy as most films done by Martin. He plays a dramatic role,and it is refreshing. Loved this movie. Pulls on the heart strings. It shows you that any man can be a loving father to a child without actually being related. The little girl in this movie was so cute, and was such great little actress.
    Definitely a movie to see.
  • March 22, 2009
    I found this to be an excellent film. If you want to see Steve Martin, in a great dramatic role, then this is a good film to see. I recommend it, highly
  • July 13, 2008
    Very sad for Steve Martin
  • June 10, 2008
    Not at all interested
  • March 1, 2008
    Read the Silas Marner book too. It is a great film.

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A Simple Twist of Fate Trivia


  • The movie, A Simple Twist of Fate, starring Steve Martin, is based on what novel?  Answer »
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