Chances Are

Plot synopsis:
Young D.A. Louie Jeffries is hit by a car and dies in 1964, but manages to slip by the pearly gates and is instantly reborn. In 1987, 23 years later, his widow Corinne still misses him, ignoring the frustrated devotion of his best friend Phillip Train, who has pretty much raised his only daughter Miranda as his own. Miranda, while a student at Yale University meets Alex Finch, who works in the library but is about to graduate. After graduation, Alex heads to Washington, DC, where he makes his way to the offices of The Washington Post. His first attempts to meet with Ben Bradlee thwarted, Alex schemes his way into the office of newspaper editor Ben Bradlee by pretending to be a delivery man. Alex walks into Bradlee's office, with Phillip behind him. Bradlee, confounded by the young man, asks who Alex is. When Alex attempts to remind him of their meeting at Yale, Phillip vouches for him, which changes Bradlee's mind about giving him a meeting. Unfortunately, Bradlee feels Alex needs more time working on smaller papers before he can offer him a job. Alex, feeling defeated, leaves his office. Phillip finds Alex downstairs in the lobby. Alex offers Phillip a ride, during which Phillip invites Alex to meet the Jeffries family over dinner. Alex begins to have flashbacks that take place in the Jeffries home, a home to which he's never been. Freaked out, he begins to act crazed and confused. Putting the pieces together, Alex realizes he is Louie Jeffries, Corinne's dead husband, reincarnated.
His memories of his life as Louie return just as Alex begins a romantic involvement with Louie's (i.e., his own) daughter Miranda. Instead, Louie then spurns his daughter's advances and begins romancing his widow Corinne, frustrating Phillip's attempts to court Corinne, and resulting in a number of comic mixups.
Soon, however, Alex/Louie realizes Phillip and Corinne should be together and arranges things so they can realize their love and he can get out of their way.
Alex/Louie bursts into the courtroom accusing the judge of accepting a bribe (Louie remembers taking a photograph of the then younger judge taking the bribe) and tells where the camera with the pictures of the judge are. Alex falls down the stairs, hits his head, and ends up in the hospital. While unconscious, Alex is administered a special injection he should have received at the pearly gates 23 years previous, to make him forget his past life as Louie. When he wakes, he tells Miranda that the last thing he remembers is them kissing in the corner of the refrigerator. He happily resumes romantic interest in Miranda, which she gladly accepts, having never been informed of his other identity by anyone. Newspaper headlines show the judge charged with accepting the bribe. Alex accepts a job offer as a reporter. His and Miranda's relationship continues with Phillip and Corinne's full knowledge and approval, although neither of them has forgotten "Louie" lives on in Alex.

Tags: romantic, fantasy, flashback

Review:
The beginning of this movie starts in the past when Corinne Jeffries (Cybill) whose picture-perfect marriage comes to a shattering halt when her husband Louie dies unexpectedly.
Fortunately, Louse gets a second shot at life when he agrees to be "recycled" back to earth as the newborn Alex Finch (Robert Downey, JR).
But fate crosses Alexs path 23 years later when he meets Corinne's daughter Miranda (Mary Stuart Masterson) and is suddenly flooded with a wealth of unwanted memories (this is where the fun begins, and embarrassing situations occur.) The music is great and the scenes are heart felt and very cute.
CHANCES ARE is a charming romantic fantasy about a woman (Cybill Shepherd) whose husband (Christopher McDonald) is killed shortly after learning she is pregnant.
Flashforward 19 years where we see Shepherd's daughter (Mary Stuart Masterson) preparing to graduate from college and encountering a young man (Robert Downey Jr.)who, it turns out is the reincarnation of her father.
The film is a little on the predictable side...the story goes all the places you expect it to, but it is so charmingly played by an energetic cast (especially Shepherd and Downey) that you can't help but get wrapped up in the fun.
Shepherd has rarely been seen on screen to better advantage and she and Downey are backed by a talented group of character actors in supporting roles.
I saw 'Chances Are' with Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O'Neal, Robert Downey, Jr. and Mary Stuart Masterson today on cable, after having seen it many times before.
I liked the plotline of a loved one returning in another's body and being able to express earlier unsaid feelings and take care of 'unfinished business' in a warmhearted and comedic way.
Writers Perry and Randy Howze crafted a very engaging little story in "Chances Are." Using the idea of a reincarnated man who happens to return to his former wife's home many years later, the plot takes unexpected, delightful turns.Twenty four year old Robert Downey, Jr. renders a delightful performance, ably assisted by Cybil Shepherd as the widow and Ryan O'Neal as a good friend.
Everybody in the movie is so nice and everything looks so great--it creates a sweet, romantic feel through the entire film.
The acting is great--Robert Downey Jr. and Cybill Shepherd are in top form and enjoying every second of it.
Chances Are had me back a few good times.I also watch the synergy between the cast...
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!!.
Enter Robert Downey Jr., a lot of confusion, and a lot of laughs.Although this movie is 15-years old, it still makes you wonder if there really is such a thing as re-incarnation.
Feel Good RomCom. Chances are is a light movie with rebirth of souls as a premise.
Especially Robert Downey Jr and Cybill Shepperd, they really made the film come true!!
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.
Actually, a comparable movie is Made in Heaven -the same romantic yearning.Do see this - it's lovely..
I have never been very impressed with Cybil Shepherd's acting ability (or lack thereof), but the real scene stealer is Robert Downey, Jr..
He has a very innocent way about him in this movie that shows you what a good actor he is as he realizes that he is stumbling into the home where he lived his past life..
One night, Shepherd's teenaged daughter (Mary Stuart Masterson) invites a friend (Robert Downey Jr.) over for dinner.
Robert Downey Jr. is just so fun to watch in anything, especially a romantic comedy.
I recently bumped into this film by chance after a friend back in 1990 briefly mentioned it but couldn't remember the title of the movie or who acted in it (we were 9, such details weren't so important then).The movie begins with Louie Jefferies, a young lawyer about to meet up with his pregnant wife on their one year anniversary when he is tragically killed.
Once he arrives in heaven, he makes such a big fuss about getting back to his pregnant wife that the people of heaven forget to give him a special "memory blocking syrum" before he is reincarnated.At the age of 23, the re-incarnated Louie (now Alex Finch) doesn't remember a thing until he sees his wife again.
As Alex tries to convince her that he is indeed her deceased husband, this is where the beauty and lovely comedy begins to unfold.Such a story could have easily fallen apart had it not been for Robert Downey Jr's convincing role as Alex Finch.
Robert Downey, JR., Cybill Shepherd, and Mary Stewart Masterson are all wonderful and charming in this all around great movie!
You really want to know how things are going to work out.The script is perfect for Cybill Shepherd, who at the time needed to capitalize on her "Moonlighting" success for the new generation who was (fortunately for her) probably unaware of how many big screen major duds she had after a very promising start.
Masterson's natural charm pretty much coasts on its own, either that or she has a way of making her character seem like a breath of fresh air with every word.Ardolino makes good use of his cast's sex appeal the same way he did with "Dirty Dancing", but this film is not quite as sizzling so you could still watch it with your parents if they happened to be in the room.
(Use your best judgment, they're your parents after all.) I give this film a high mark because it is very user friendly, romantic comedy enthusiasts will find it sublime, and those who are just watching along with them should find plenty of humor to enjoy as well.Again, credit goes to Emile Ardolino for making the most of a charming script by Randy and Perry Howze.
Too bad they had to waste the talents of Robert Downey Jr., Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O'Neal and Mary Stuart Masterson.At least it's a pretty tame film, language-wise.
Chances Are is one of my very favourite movies, and certainly my most favourite RomCom. It's delightful, feel good, has a lovely storyline and plot, great soundtrack.
It's so uplifting and although I have seen it a number of times over the years, and was so pleased when I was able to get my own copy of the film, it never fails to entertain me.The performances of the leading stars - Ryan O'Neal, a young Robert Downey Jr, and Cybill Shepherd - are a joy to behold.
It has it's corny moments but that's forgivable as otherwise it's great fun.I'm a fan of Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man) and Ryan O'Neal is more than a pretty face (He's great in The Man Upstairs with Katharine Hepburn - if you ever get the chance to see this hard to find film)..
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.
Tasteful, easy-to-take romantic comedy written by Perry and Randy Howze mixes sentiment and farcical 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 team do attempt 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.
Romantically Superb in Every Way. Every scene was put together perfectly.This movie had a wonderful cast and crew.
I mean, how can you have a bad movie with Robert Downey Jr. in it,none have and ever will exist.
You can call me a sappy romantic, but this movie just touched my heart, not to mention made me laugh with pleasure at the same time.
This is a movie with a good sense of feeling.It could make you laugh out loud, touch your heart, make you fall in love,and enjoy your life.Every time you purposefully walk past this movie, just be aware that you are consciously making the choice to live and feel this inspiring movie.Who knows?
The baby grows up Robert Downey Jr, and Jr returns his former home town where she meets his former daughter, Mary Stuart Masterson (complicated, huh?).They fall in love with each other.
I guess I don't even have to mention that she loves Ryan O'Neil.In one of his first roles Robert Downey Jr's on his worst.
Not that I have anything new to say, but just the ending shot of Robert Downey Jr. sums up the magic and whimsy of this movie.
After something around a dozen times this subject over past lives is back, now it touching on overtly on reincarnation process, the threesome main leading roles includes Shepherd who is still sexy even near forty years old, an already forgotten Ryan O'neil and a promissing actor that reachs the stardom later Robert Downey Jr., this amazing romantic movie made a huge success worldwide, driven as soft and humorous oriented comedy, a true high class picture, a bit mistakes and a weak point is about the so sugary music score, to much kitsch to my taste, Stewat and Cher...UGH!!!
Years later, Alex Finch (Robert Downey Jr.) meets Miranda Jeffries (Mary Stuart Masterson) at Yale.
Another charming romantic-comedy with Robert Downey, Jr.!.
"Chances Are" is one of several romantic-comedies in the late-80s/early-90s starring Robert Downey, Jr. as the romantic/comedic lead.
the more complicated "Heart & Souls" script due to the five ghosts' story lines.As for "Chances Are" by itself, RDJ plays a reincarnated Louie Jeffries who was married in the 1960s to Cybill Shepherd (this was her last "beauty" movie where she looked stunning).
RDJ stumbles across the adorable Mary Stuart Masterson at university and eventually crosses paths with newspaper superstar, Ryan O'Neal, and Cybill, who has kept the candle lit for her dead husband for two decades, all within the first 15 minutes of the movie.
The entire story reminds me of the old-time Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant comedies of yesteryear where a little bit of overacting was allowed because it put a smile on your face no matter if the story was credible or not.The movie is light, funny, charming, and just enough romance to make it a perfect date movie.
He embodies the qualities of other actors into his own persona and magic comes out on-screen.This may not be perfection, but it is worth watching as a light-hearted romantic comedy.
At any rate, what movie can lack with Robert Downey Jr.'s puppy-dog eyes?
But like I said before, it's hard not to love any movie with Robert Downey Jr..
There were quite a few scenes that were meantto be funny, but I cared too much about the characters to laugh atthem.I suggest that you watch this film next time you're falling in love,and try to take it seriously.
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.
But that problem was salvaged because Mary Stuart Masterson has a fresh-as-a-daisy sweetness to brighten it up, and Robert Downey Jr. is so charming that he melts the screen.
And it so happens that his big dreamy eyes are perfect for the deja vu and flashback scenes.Anyway, this movie is light and easy and if you like them that way, why not give it a try..
The acting, IMO, is excellent.One of those films you wouldn't go out of your way to see, but it brings a smile every time it comes around on cable.
Chances Are. A drag of a romantic comedy about love being given a second chance with Downey, overacting his way through a role as a reporter about to start his "new life," but is bombarded with memories of another lifetime and a wife he never knew he had..
Cybil Shepherd isn't exactly in her element here, Robert Downey seems more so, though it's hard to respect the guy's sense of morality.
Chances Are is a charming, weird, clichéd and even a little bit perverse romantic comedy.Louie Jeffries (Christopher McDonald) is a lawyer who has uncovered a bent judge and suddenly dies in a road accident in 1964.
He is reborn as Alex Finch (Robert Downey Jr) but in 1987 he meets Louie's daughter Miranda at Yale University and later his wife, Corinne and when he visits his old house for dinner, Louie's memories later return to Alex.
He realises he is Louie Jeffries, Corinne's dead husband reincarnated as he has memories of events only Louie would had known.However it seems that Alex is not meant to get back together with Corinne but rather help her move on especially as their best friend Philip Train (Ryan O'Neal) a Washington Post journalist has always loved Corinne and help raise Miranda but Corinne has never got over her dead husband.At the time, Chances Are was a feel good comedy, well acted but stretched credibility and Alex falling for Miranda (Louie's daughter) was a little bit icky..
Also the whole thing is a little bit ambiguous because one wonder's how LOuis can fall in love with his "wife" and "daughter" at the same time.
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.
(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.
Cybill Shepherd was charming, Robert Downey Jr. was very funny in the dancing scene : )))...
For example, Corinne Jeffries, played by Cybill Shepherd after the death of her husband was waiting for him 23 years (it's a long time!), she was true to him, she loved nobody but him, and when she met him and was just about making love to him, after a scene with her friend Philip Train (Ryan O'Neal), she very easily betrayed the man she was longing for so many years!!!
Expcually Robert Downey, Jr.'s other movie 'Only You'.
The ending of the movie killed the entire  film.
Robert Downey Jr. is a great actor.
That's not to say its quality makes the movie un-enjoyable, but the sharpness is very lacking.Here, Cybill Shepherd is married to Christopher McDonald in a very happy marriage.
After his death, McDonald is reincarnated, but an angel forgets to make him forget his previous life, and -- now as Robert Downey, Jr., he falls in love with his former wife (Cybill), but also in love with his own daughter.
Of course, Downey does begin remembering his former life, and finally convinces Cybill and Ryan who he really is...although the daughter never learns that.
And of course, they all (except the judge) live happily ever after -- Ryan with Cybill and Downey with the daughter (but that's okay, his memory and soul have finally been erased).This was the Robert Downey, Jr. that I loved, back when we (at least) thought he was a young Cary Grant in comedy-romance films like this one.
This film was Downey at his peak in terms of romantic comedies.
He's very good here, and physical similarities (at least at the time) between him and Downey make this work.The one thing that people often bring up about this film is the Robert Downey's character ends up in love with his own daughter.
Chances Are is no different with everything working out in the end with all of the main characters happy in the end.The plot of this movie is based around a man, Louis Jefferies (Robert Downey Jnr) dying in a road accident and leaving his wife a widow.
Much of the comedy comes out of Louis Jefferies, who is now Alix Finch, realising that he was really Corinne Jefferies (Cybil Shepherd) husband, and then trying to convince her of that.
She is so tied up with her dead husband that she spends a lot of time at the psychiatrist to try and get over her obsession.This movie is also quite predictable: I know what Hollywood is like.
A young Robert Downey is cute but not convincing in the lead role of Alex who is also the reincarnated man Louie.
Ryan O'Neal is extremely annoying as their friend Philip- trying too hard to be funny and charming which he is neither - I especially don't like that fact that at the beginning of the movie when Corrine is getting married to Louie,Philip as the best man whispers to Louie as she is walking down the aisle that he is in love with Corrine.
Ordinarily I really enjoy movies like "Chances Are," but I wasn't quite satisfied with this one for a few reasons.
The first half was pretty well done overall, with Alex Finch dying and being reincarnated in a new body (played by Robert Downey Jr.).
He meets up with his wife (Cybill Shepherd) and friend (Ryan O'Neal) and his daughter, who is now grown up.
The scenes with them meeting again and Downey rediscovering who he once was are well done, and there is a good amount of emotion and happiness once Shepherd finally believes its really her husband reincarnated, but from there the film goes downhill.