A Simple Twist of Fate (1994)

This is a very strong film, no doubt.You can tell it's an adaptation of a novel because of how well structured it is. Just like all of those Forest Gumps, Shawshanks, Big Fish... there's a quality in the pace of the story that's superior to the more basic and linear development you'll get with mainstream Hollywood films.Anyhow, there is purpose and meaning to the development of the narrative here, and as mentioned in the title, there is a modern fairytale quality to this film that always brings a charm to the silver screen viewing.Steve Martin, Gabriel Byrne, his wife in the film Laura Linney or Catherine O'Hara (Martin's close friend) all do a great job but it really is Alana Austin, the final grownup version of Martin's adopted daughter, Mathilda, who steals the show. She was just 12 during this film and has all the precocious smarts and surprising maturity young girls often have at that early age.Well written, with an interesting philosophical almost existential question at the center of it, realistic and challenging... and just the right marriage of comedy and drama, and one of these films that grows on the viewer, with a real atmosphere and simpleness at its core.Perhaps too sensitive and subtle, hence the relatively low average by the fans.8/10.

Something very different for Steve Martin as he portrays a man who divorced his wife when he found out that the child they expected was not his.Enter another child in his life when a young woman dies on her way to the baby girl's wealthy political father. The father, who knew this was his child when he saw the dead woman, made no effort to claim the child as his. Instead, the child stays with Martin who loves her dearly and takes care of her in a manner of a true parent.10 years later, the real father, Gabriel Byrne and his wife, Laura Linney, are childless and when Martin brings the child along with him to deliver furniture, Byrne confesses to all that he is the father of the child and a custody battle ensues.These custody battles are very cliché in movies. Of course, everyone is wooed by the child's kind words for Martin. The ending is unexpected, but a good one. Everyone gets what they deserve.

This movie is what I like to call a sleeper. The cable descriptions are usually terrible and uninteresting but this a wonderful heartwarming movie about love and family. When I played it for my sister one day she argued that she didn't want to watch it but after it was over she fell in love with the sometimes sad, often times humorous story of a man with nothing left to lose and the baby that saves him! Steve Martin flexes his acting talent showing that he isn't always funny/stupid. And the young actress playing Mathilda at age 10 is amazing and really reminds me of Amy Smart. Even though this movie is a little bit older it still applies to life today and it is highly recommended by me!

A touching and sensitive retelling of Silas Marner, A Simple Twist of Fate provides Steve Martin with the role of a lifetime. His characterization is nothing short of stunning. This finely crafted and superbly written film is backed up by strong supporting performances and masterful direction. The girls who played Mathilda were perfectly cast and absolutely stole my heart. I rank A Simple Twist of Fate right up there with Jimmy Stewart's It's a Wonderful Life and it's one of the sweetest movies I've ever seen!