The Next Best Thing
The Next Best Thing is a 2000 American comedy-drama film directed by John Schlesinger (his final feature film before his death in 2003) about two best friends who have a child together and a custody battle years after. Starring Madonna, Rupert Everett, and Benjamin Bratt, it opened to the number-two position in the North American box office and poor critical reviews. The accompanying soundtrack album was appreciated by music critics. Its lead single, "American Pie" reached the number-one in various countries and helped to introduce Don McLean's song to newer audiences.
For other uses, see The Next Best Thing (disambiguation).The Next Best Thing
- Tom Rosenberg
- Leslie Dixon
- Linne Radmin
- Gary Lucchesi
Paramount Pictures (North America)
Lakeshore International (Internationally)
- March 3, 2000
108 minutes
United States
English
$25 million
$24.3 million[1]
Production[edit]
The film began as an original screenplay titled The Red Curtain by Tom Ropelewski, which he intended to direct, with his wife Leslie Dixon to produce. It was announced to be made in 1995 with Richard Dreyfuss attached to star as Robert; he dropped out, then Helen Hunt was named as female lead to play Abbie. She was replaced by Madonna and then Rupert Everett signed on as star. Filming took place between April 23 and June 30, 1999. It later was claimed the script was rewritten extensively by Ryan Murphy and Rupert Everett.[4]
Distribution[edit]
Paramount Pictures distributed the film in North America while international sales were held by Lakeshore International. Buena Vista International acquired distribution rights from Lakeshore in most territories.
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
The film received a 19% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 94 reviews, with an average rating of 3.8/10. The website's critical consensus states: "Story elements clash and acting falls short."[5] On Metacritic, the film has rating of 25 out of 100 based on 31 reviews, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[6]
Variety commented, "to a good movie is a well-intentioned one, and at the end of the day, that less-than-compelling consolation prize is about the best thing one can hand this resoundingly adequate Advanced Family Values comedy-drama".[2] Roger Ebert gave the film one star out of four, stating: "The Next Best Thing is a garage sale of gay issues, harnessed to a plot as exhausted as a junkman's horse."[7]
Box office[edit]
The film opened at number two at the North American box office, making USD$5,870,387, behind The Whole Nine Yards. The film grossed $14,990,582 in the U.S. and $24,362,772 worldwide on a $25 million budget.[1]
The Next Best Thing (Music from the Motion Picture)
Home media[edit]
On August 26, 2000, Billboard announced the film will debut on DVD and VHS from Paramount Home Entertainment, although spokespeople would not confirm it.[44] The release debuted at number 20 on Billboard's Top DVD Sales,[45] and peaked at number 11 on the Top Video Rentals chart.[46] The Philadelphia Inquirer gave 2 out of four stars.[47]