I'll Do Anything
I'll Do Anything

I'll Do Anything

1994Movie115 minEnglish

Matt Hobbs is a talented but unsuccessful actor. When estranged (and strange) ex-wife Beth dumps their daughter Jeannie on Matt, father and daughter have a lot of adjusting to do. His budding relationship with attractive production assistant Cathy Breslow is made complicated, while the precocious child is overly accustomed to getting her own way. Matt eventually faces the choice of family vs career in a particularly difficult way.

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Insights

IMDb5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes21%
Metacritic47/100
Google Users58%
Director: James L. BrooksGenres: Comedy, Drama, Musical

Plot Summary

A struggling actor, Matt Hobbs, who has become a stay-at-home dad after his wife's death, navigates the challenges of raising his daughter and dating in Hollywood. Over a decade, he encounters various women and navigates the changing landscape of the film industry. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness in the often-superficial world of entertainment.

Critical Reception

I'll Do Anything received a largely negative reception from critics, who found its premise convoluted and its execution unfocused. While some praised the performances, particularly Nick Nolte's, the film was criticized for its uneven tone and lengthy, meandering plot. Audiences were similarly unimpressed, leading to a disappointing box office performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film's ambitious attempt to blend comedy, drama, and musical elements results in a tonally inconsistent and often tedious experience.
  • While Nick Nolte delivers a committed performance, the script fails to engage, with a plot that feels both overly long and underdeveloped.
  • The musical numbers, intended to be a highlight, are often jarring and detract from the narrative.

Google audience: Google users found the film to be a mixed bag, with some appreciating the emotional depth and Nick Nolte's performance, while others felt it was too long, unfocused, and failed to deliver on its premise. The musical aspects were particularly divisive, with many finding them out of place.

Fun Fact

The film was originally conceived as a more traditional musical with significantly more singing from its stars, but extensive reshoots and cuts drastically reduced the musical numbers.

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