Tags
1990's, Billy Zane, Bonnie Hunt, Comedy, Joaquim de Almeida, Marisa Tomei, Norman Jewison, Only You, Robert Downey Jr, Romantic Comedy
Film Title
Only You
Director
Norman Jewison
Starring
- Marisa Tomei as Faith Corvatch
- Robert Downey Jr. as Peter
- Bonnie Hunt as Kate Corvatch
- Joaquim de Almeida as Giovanni
- Billy Zane as the False Damon Bradley
An effervescent and good-hearted romantic comedy that takes place largely in beautiful Italy, Only You makes for a divinely experience, watching as destiny and fate unravel in fun ways of the loving kind.
In flashback, we are introduced to Faith Corvatch, a young girl who is playing around with a Ouija board with her brother Larry. She asks who her soul mate will be and strangely enough, the board spells out the name Damon Bradley. Her belief that this person will be her true love is given greater anticipation and growing power by a trip to the carnival where a fortune-teller informs her of the name she got from the board. This causes Faith to become all dreamy about the soul mate she hopes to meet in the future. Cut to present day and Faith is now a teacher, who still believes in fate but hasn’t found any clue about the signs from her childhood. At the current minute, she is engaged to podiatrist Dwayne, who is often more busy with work than her . Out of the blue, Faith receives a phone call from the alleged Damon Bradley who is in Italy. Throwing caution to the wind as her destiny could finally come into fruition, she abandons plans of her wedding and takes a plane to Italy. Joining her is Kate, her best friend and sister-in-law, who is currently going through the motions of her marriage to Faith’s brother and considering what to do. Kate is reluctant to come along as she is the more pragmatic one, but Faith wins her over and the two head off on a journey into the unknown. While searching for the alleged man of her dreams, Faith encounters Peter Wright, a witty shoe salesman who appropriately enough meets Faith when she loses one of her stilettos. Hearing her mention the name of her beloved, he pretends to be Damon Bradley as he is immediately love struck by the kooky girl he sees. Though when it comes out that he isn’t Bradley, Faith is annoyed and begins to question the prophecy. The subsequent events lead to consequences that she never saw coming as she attempts to deny growing attraction to Peter. Can Faith make sense of the mystical signs or actually open her eyes to the possibility of Peter as a match?
Norman Jewison directs with an ease and light touch, which makes Only You pleasing to the eye and heart. At times, it may seem like he is riffing on the success of his previous romantic venture of Moonstruck, but his graceful and fun hold on events has a marked difference and more of a mystical tone than the aforementioned film to set them apart, but with both still being wonderful flicks. The best way to summarise Only You is to say that it is an old-fashioned romantic comedy in a contemporary setting, with a few surprises. Cynics will no doubt groan at something like this, but it is supposed to be something of a fairy tale so the leap of faith and magic are to be expected and to be honest, they are difficult to resist once they get a grip on you. Only You isn’t the sort of film that requires a real depth of thought to it as it is light and frothy, though it has moments of bittersweet emotion that help bring substance to the fairy tale side of it. I’m sure everyone has a bit of romance within them that they can see in this film. I mean, you have Italy looking suitably sublime and glowing with magic that is a classy touch(as lensed by the great Sven Nykvist). And there is a genuine unpredictability to Only You, as the wild goose chase takes in numerous comic events and switches as the search for Damon Bradley doesn’t go in the way Faith expected. If you don’t get a laugh or chuckle out of his movie, you really have no feeling of humour as Only You is delightfully written with spirited glee. A gliding and archaic score from Rachel Portman fits the bill of being lusciously composed and amusingly romantic in the tradition of Old Hollywood love stories.
Marisa Tomei exudes a doe-eyed and earnest appeal, that is as playful as a pixie. The character that she plays with her flighty and offbeat qualities could have become an annoyance quickly in the hands of a lesser actress, but not to worry as Tomei is a gifted girl who makes Faith’s eccentricities and actions warm and winning from the very start. And you can’t talk about Tomei in this film without mentioning how adorably sweet and innocent she is, which suits Only You down to the ground. Robert Downey Jr. has a good time as the man who isn’t the one supposedly destined for Faith, but willing to do what it takes to win her heart. Watching as his puppy dog eyes and sleight of hand antics attempt to win her over, plus Downey Jr. has a real physical sense of comedy to him like particularly in his priceless facial expressions. Bonnie Hunt is another standout performer in this film, lighting up the screen as the downtrodden and realistic woman, who finds that a certain suave gentleman takes an interest in her. Hunt has a real way with droll one liners that register many laughs while backing things up with a sensitive showing of uncertainty within the character. Joaquim de Almeida works well with the part of the businessman intent on wooing Kate, and though the part doesn’t call for any great shakes on the acting front, he brings more to it than others could have. Billy Zane is on hand to provide another twist in the story in a very amusing part.
harks back to the romance and comedy of old with a lively confection of a film bound to make you laugh and swoon.
beetleypete said:
I haven’t seen this one, V. The words ‘Romantic Comedy’ put me off. Maybe not my thing, but I am pleased that you enjoyed it. (I think it is on Film 4 now and again)
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I don’t mind the odd romantic comedy every now and then Pete. It isn’t my favourite genre, but there are some good ones to find there.
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Cattie's World said:
Sounds Good. I Love Romantic Comedies.
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vinnieh said:
You should love this film then, as it is magical.
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Cattie's World said:
Which year was it released ?
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vinnieh said:
1994.
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Cattie's World said:
I’m sure it will be a Classic Story.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a sweet movie.
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kmSalvatore said:
Hi V, I cant believe ive never seen this? I love Robert Downy Jr. I’m trying to remember wth I was doing in 1994:)) anyway, thanks for the flash back, maybe it will air on one of the cable channels, I have a list ..to watch for, and this ‘ll b on it 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Well if you like Robert Downey Jr, he is quite amusing and charming in this. As is Marisa Tomei.
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kmSalvatore said:
Lol, I have a note book in the table near the tv, I love old movies, although this isn’t really under that heading, I’d love to see it. So I’ve jotted in the “notebook” thanks Vman
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vinnieh said:
I actually have a notebook to list movies I need to see. What are the odds of us both doing that?
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Cindy Bruchman said:
Light-hearted magic is perfect sometimes. I’ll watch it when I see it on TV.
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vinnieh said:
You said it Cindy. I love kicking back and just watching something nice and harmless. It puts me in a really happy place.
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wengiegirl said:
U r superb…
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vinnieh said:
Why thank you for that comment. Though it is you who is superb for being so nice.
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wengiegirl said:
U r really intresting….
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vinnieh said:
Well I try my best to be.
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sonofabeach96 said:
I remember this one. Is it weird that I think Bonnie Hunt was the best part of the film? 😃
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vinnieh said:
I don’t think it’s weird, she did steal the show as the best friend. I’m a sucker for good supporting players!
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sonofabeach96 said:
I really enjoy her, in anything I’ve ever seen her in.
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vinnieh said:
For me, she has a real lightness and general warmth to her.
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sonofabeach96 said:
I agree.
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vinnieh said:
I respond to people like that I’ve noticed.
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Meg Sorick said:
I haven’t seen this one either. I didn’t like RDJ as an actor when he was younger. However, I adore him now! Nevertheless, it sounds like a perfect rainy afternoon movie! xo
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vinnieh said:
Why didn’t you like him when he was younger? A rainy day movie is probably the best way to describe this flick.
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Meg Sorick said:
I’m not exactly sure… I just think he’s gotten better with age. Oddly I find him more attractive in his middle age than when he was young.
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vinnieh said:
How interesting. I like his funny attitude in interviews, he seems quite amiable.
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raistlin0903 said:
Great review, love Marisa Tomei, she is a wonderful actress indeed. This movie genre is not my usual cup of tea so to speak, so I probably won’t watch it, but I enjoyed the review of it anyway 😀
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vinnieh said:
Marisa Tomei is one of those actresses that brings her A game to most movies. I love her.
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fragglerocking said:
Though rom/coms are not my thing, I do like the actors in this, will put it on my ironing movie list.
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vinnieh said:
Ironing movie list, I like that.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
Well…this is going to sound strange…this is one movie that I’ve seen but never in one go – it keeps coming up on TV and over the years I’ve caught snippets of it and somehow managed to see the whole thing. Maybe I should just watch it from beginning to end now…
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vinnieh said:
That doesn’t sound strange at all. There have plenty of movies of which I have only ever seen snippets. It happens to all of us. I think you’d quite like this movie.
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thoughtsallsorts said:
I think so too (I’d like it)…I’ll give it a watch I think.
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vinnieh said:
That’s what I love to hear.
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Heartafire said:
i adored this movie, thank you for reviewing it. I like Robert Downey Jr. I think he is a gifted actor!
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vinnieh said:
Robert Downey is a very good actor indeed. And this film is just right if you are looking for something light and engaging.
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ninvoid99 said:
I like this film. It is a nice, light-hearted film as that was the film I was thinking about during Captain America: Civil War where Tony Stark meets Aunt May.
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vinnieh said:
Nice and light-hearted is sometimes just the ticket.
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keepsmealive said:
Man I saw this but forget most of it.
I also now realize, based on the cover art, that they totally missed an opportunity with it. Her character’s name oughta be Penny, if she’s gonna be in the fountain…
I’ll see myself out…
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vinnieh said:
I thought that joke was pretty funny, no need to excuse yourself.
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keepsmealive said:
Oh whew, thanks Vinnie! 😉
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vinnieh said:
You do have a good sense of humour it must be said.
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KittNoir said:
One of my all time favourite films 💖
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vinnieh said:
A charming and dreamy heart warmer, this film made me smile.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I missed this, but I love both Tomei and Downy and the movie sounds sweet, so I’m definitely hunting this down.💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
It is the definition of sweet Kim, a lovely and big-hearted romance.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
And I just checked and my library has it. Yay!😊
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vinnieh said:
Oh I am very happy to hear that Kim. May you have a delightfully romantic time with it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vinnie!💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
It’s only the best for my blogging followers.
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Paul S said:
Marisa Tomei has to be one of the most talented actresses working right now, as well as one of the best examples that a women over 40 can be sexier than the faceless, curveless, talentless women on reality TV. Even on her “worst” day!
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vinnieh said:
She is very talented and has a relatable quality to her which stands her in good stead. I love the naturalness of her the most, she never looks overly made up and retains a certain fresh faced charisma that is impossible to resist.
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maddylovesherclassicfilms said:
I love this one! So romantic and featuring beautiful Italian locations.
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vinnieh said:
It’s all good fun. And Italy is a simply gorgeous backdrop. You can’t help but be soaked in the romance of it all.
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maddylovesherclassicfilms said:
So true.
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vinnieh said:
You can’t beat Italy for history and grand romance.
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