A Simple Twist of Fate

Play trailer

A Simple Twist of Fate

PG-13,

1994,

1h 46m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

50%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Small-town recluse Michael McCann (Steve Martin) lives an isolated existence until unusual events pull him out of his shell. After his beloved coin collection is stolen, an orphaned toddler suddenly appears at his house. Unknown to Michael, who adopts the little girl, she is the illegitimate child of local politician John Newland (Gabriel Byrne), who keeps his secret to protect his reputation. Later, however, Newland decides to go public with his revelation, leading to a custody battle.

Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

Jun 25, 2025

This is yet another new Hollywood film about parenting where mothers are apparently superfluous.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Sep 5, 2002

2/5

Dreary, misconceived movie about a man redeemed by the love of a child.

Go to Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

2.5/4

This is not at all a bad movie, mind you, but a good movie gone wrong, through a simple twist of miscalculation.

Go to Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

Jun 24, 2025

This charming movie, directed with a light touch by the Scottish filmmaker Gillies MacKinnon, follows the book fairly closely.

Go to Full Review

Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

Jun 24, 2025

Makes little of the book's symbolism, but captures the redemptive delight the adopted child brings to the miser.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Nov 8, 2005

2/5

Read all reviews

Luke R

Mar 13, 2017

Avec A Simple Twist of Fate, Steve Martin décide de rendre hommage à son côté midinette. Il se retrouve donc dans cette comédie dramatique où un bébé est laissé sur son palier et sur sa lutte pour sa garde une fois son adolescence arrivée. S'il y a quelques scènes où on retrouve le Steve Martin drôle que l'on aime voir, la seconde partie du film est un immense triomphe de mélasse mélodramatique entre Laura Linney, Gabriel Byrne et Martin himself, tous unanimement mauvais. La réalisation de Gillies MacKinnon n'aide pas, tant le rythme est anémique.

See more

Read all reviews

Gillies MacKinnon

Director

Steve Martin

Michael McCann

Gabriel Byrne

John Newland

Laura Linney

Nancy Lambert Newland

Catherine O'Hara

April Simon

Stephen Baldwin

Tanny Newland

Mr. Jones

46%

50%

Mr. Jones

Watchlist

Heartburn

48%

46%

Heartburn

Watchlist

The Deep End of the Ocean

44%

58%

The Deep End of the Ocean

Watchlist

Moonlight and Valentino

15%

51%

Moonlight and Valentino

Watchlist

My Giant

25%

25%

My Giant

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Small-town recluse Michael McCann (Steve Martin) lives an isolated existence until unusual events pull him out of his shell. After his beloved coin collection is stolen, an orphaned toddler suddenly appears at his house. Unknown to Michael, who adopts the little girl, she is the illegitimate child of local politician John Newland (Gabriel Byrne), who keeps his secret to protect his reputation. Later, however, Newland decides to go public with his revelation, leading to a custody battle.

Director: Gillies MacKinnon
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 2, 1994, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings