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Nothing in Common
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Wikipedia article
'Nothing in Common' is a 1986 American comedy-drama film directed by Garry Marshall. It stars Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason in what would be Gleason's final film role; he was suffering from cancer during the production and died less than a year after the film's release.
While the film did make back over 2.5 times its budget, it was not considered a big financial success on initial release, though it became more popular as Hanks' fame grew. It is considered by some to be a pivotal role in Hanks' career because it marked his transition from less developed comedic roles to leads in more serious stories, and many critics also praised Gleason's performance.
Plot
David Basner, a shallow, self-serving yuppie recently promoted at his Chicago ad agency, returns to work from a vacation. His parents have separated after 36 years of marriage and he must care for his aging, bitter father, Max, and support his emotionally fragile mother, Lorraine. His father has just been fired after 35 years in the garment industry.
Although his ex-girlfriend, Donna, is sympathetic, she tells him he needs to "grow up". David fears that if he tried to be less child-like, his advertising work could be adversely affected. David is developing a commercial for Colonial Airlines, owned by the rich and bullish Andrew Woolridge. A successful ad campaign would likely gain David a partnership in his company. David develops a relationship with Woolridge's daughter, Cheryl Ann Wayne. His father is well aware of David's playboy nature, and is critical of his frivolous lifestyle.
His parents each begin to rely more on David. His mother needs help moving to a new apartment. His father needs to be driven to an eye doctor. David is awakened late one night when his mother's date ends badly, and she reveals that Max humiliated her sexually and was unfaithful. David confronts his father, telling him, "Tomorrow I'm shooting a commercial about a family who loves each other, who cares about each other. I'm fakin' it." David becomes distracted and his deteriorating relationship with Max affects his work. As a peace offering, David takes Max to a nightclub to hear some of his favorite jazz music. He discovers that Max is severely diabetic but hasn't been following his doctor's advice.
Max's toes require amputation. He and Lorraine discuss their life together, and she condemns him for his abuse. Privately, Max is overwhelmed by regret.
Woolridge insists that David accompany him to New York to promote the new ad campaign, which would prevent David from being present for Max's surgery. David refuses and loses the account. His boss Charlie is sympathetic and assures David that he will intercede with Woolridge, giving David time to be with his father.
David brings Max home from the hospital. Max tells him, "You were the last person I thought would ever come through for me." When David returns to his job, he tries to show Max how important his work is.
Cast
* Tom Hanks as David Basner
* Jackie Gleason as Max Basner
* Eva Marie Saint as Lorraine Basner
* Hector Elizondo as Charlie Gargas
* Barry Corbin as Andrew Woolridge
* Sela Ward as Cheryl Ann Wayne
* Bess Armstrong as Donna Mildred Martin
* Dan McGuire as The Caddie
Critical reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 54% out of 24 professional critics gave the film a positive review, with an average score of 5.9/10.[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/nothing_in_common/ Nothing in Common - Rotten Tomatoes]
Roger Ebert of 'The Chicago Sun-Times' awarded the film a 2.5 out of 4 stars and stated in his review "The movie splits in two, starting out as a wise-guy comedy and ending up as the heart-breaking story of a yuppie who is trying to understand his bitter, lonely parents. Movies aren't novels."
Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.
Soundtrack
# "Nothing in Common" by Thompson Twins - 3:30
# "Burning of the Heart" by Richard Marx - 4:15
# "If It Wasn't Love" by Carly Simon - 4:18
# "Over the Weekend" by Nick Heyward - 3:58
# "Loving Strangers" (David's Theme From Nothing In Common) by Christopher Cross - 4:03
# "Until You Say You Love Me" by Aretha Franklin - 4:50
# "Don't Forget to Dance" by The Kinks - 4:35
# "No One's Gonna Love You" by Real To Reel - 4:12
# "Seven Summers" by Cruzados - 4:38
# Instrumental Theme by Patrick Leonard - 2:08
The soundtrack was released on LP, CD and cassette in 1986 by Arista Records.
Television series
The movie inspired a short-lived NBC sitcom in 1987 that was scheduled to follow the highly rated 'Cheers.' Due to audience drop-off, the sitcom was cancelled. The series starred Todd Waring as David Basner and Bill Macy as his father Max Basner.
See also
* List of films featuring diabetes
References
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