Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Chances Are (1989) movie poster

Plot Summary

Chances Are (1989) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
1989 · 108 min · English
JustWatch #1,682 27
Directed by
Emile Ardolino
Starring
Robert Downey Jr., Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O'Neal, Mary Stuart Masterson

Following an unexpected death, Louie Jeffries returns as Alex Finch twenty years later, seeking to reconnect with his family. As their lives become intertwined, Alex finds himself drawn to his own daughter, Miranda, and must navigate a complex situation involving reincarnation and long-held secrets. He confronts the love he left behind and the impact of his past choices on his loved ones.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Chances Are
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Chances Are (1989)

Where can you watch Chances Are? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fawesome and YouTube Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Chances Are: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Chances Are (1989) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

In the year 1963, as the world buzzes with dreams and aspirations, Louie is about to embark on a new chapter of his life; he is set to marry his beloved Corinne. However, during the festivities, the best man, Philip, leans in to whisper a secret that shatters the atmosphere—he confesses his love for Corinne. Despite this jarring revelation, Louie remains steadfast, and the wedding proceeds without a hitch.

Fast forward a year, and Corinne joyfully announces her pregnancy, marking a significant milestone in their lives. We witness scenes of her nurturing a tree she affectionately names George, planted outside their charming home in Washington, D.C. However, marital bliss is soon overshadowed by tensions in Louie's career. He vehemently challenges Judge Fenwick, arguing that the dismissal of vital evidence could allow a dangerous mobster to evade justice. Fenwick, however, strictly adheres to the letter of the law. Amid these struggles, Philip provides Louie with an intriguing tip about a covert meeting involving Fenwick. Seizing this opportunity, Louie stealthily captures a photograph of Fenwick accepting a bribe, believing this could be his path to redemption.

But as fate would have it, while Louie eagerly makes his way to an anniversary celebration, fate intervenes. Distracted by his excitement, he is struck by a car, and suddenly, the world turns to a blinding white. In this surreal moment, Louie encounters ethereal beings, where he implores for a way back to life. He is given a startling choice: to return as a baby soon to be born in Ohio, ensuring he remains close to his beloved D.C. This chaotic turn of events leads to Louie's rebirth, leaving behind a haunting question—will he remember his past?

Presently, we see Corinne deeply affected by Louie's absence, clinging to delusions that keep his memory alive. Dr. Bailey, a compassionate therapist, is determined to help Corinne navigate her grief and encourage her to embrace the present. Meanwhile, young Alex, perusing the shelves of the Yale library, meets a striking girl named Miranda who is burdened by overdue fines just as she prepares to graduate from law school. In a twist of fate, Alex, leveraging his cleverness, concocts a story to absolve her of the fines—setting the stage for their intertwining fates.

Through newfound connections, Alex finds himself befriending Ben Bradlee of The Washington Post, who, impressed by Alex's ambition, opens doors for him. However, Alex's lack of real-world experience becomes apparent during their encounter, highlighting the gap between expectation and reality. After spending some time living in his car, Alex is welcomed into Philip's home, where an unexpected revelation awaits. He discovers that Miranda is Corinne's daughter, igniting a flood of memories and emotions as he begins to realize that he is, in fact, Louie, returned in a new form.

As Alex grapples with fragments of his past self, he struggles to make sense of his bizarre existence. With his heart intertwined with Corinne's past, he visits her at the Smithsonian, where she is diligently working on a project for former first ladies. Faced with mounting pressures for funding from her boss, Archibald Blair, Alex sees an opportunity to help her. By charming the wealthy Mavis Talmadge at an event, Alex secures the necessary finances for Corinne's project, solidifying his commitment to her.

However, the truth of Alex's identity proves to be a stumbling block. Upon revealing his true self to Corinne, sharing intimate details only Louie would know—like the diamond earrings reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy's—she initially recoils in disbelief, casting him aside. Nonetheless, as the threads of fate weave their complex story, Corinne comes to realize the truth, albeit struggling with the dissonance of their age difference.

Conflict arises as Alex shares his secret with Philip, leading to a confrontation that results in Philip being knocked out in a moment of chaos. As their paths further entwine, Corinne moves forward, ultimately deciding to pursue a life with Philip, despite the emotional turmoil stirred by Alex.

In a climactic turn of events, Judge Fenwick enters the picture once more as Alex and Philip find themselves in a courtroom. Driven by overwhelming memories, Alex confronts Fenwick, only to be dismissed and ultimately thrown out. In the midst of this turmoil, he implores Philip to recall the significant meeting place from Louie's past, hinting at their long-ago encounters with a camera. However, an unfortunate accident leaves Alex unconscious, whereupon he finds himself back in the care of that mysterious man from before—the same one who failed to inoculate him years ago.

Upon awakening, Alex's memories of Louie have faded, leaving behind only fragments of his current life. At the wedding of Philip and Corinne, an unexpected opportunity arises when Ben Bradlee offers Alex a position at The Washington Post, impressed by Alex's tenacity in bringing down Judge Fenwick while simultaneously casting a shadow on the realities of love, loss, and the endless loops of fate that bind their lives together.

Last updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

Was this helpful?

Plot questions answered

Chances Are Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Chances Are (1989): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Louie choose to be reborn after his accident?

Louie was given a choice in the afterlife - to return as a baby soon to be born in Ohio, close to his beloved Washington D.C. He chose reincarnation because he wanted to remain near his wife Corinne and the life he left behind, hoping to find his way back to her.

Foreshadowing: During the wedding in 1963, Philip confesses his love for Corinne, hinting at the complicated love triangle to come.

  • reincarnation
  • afterlife
  • choice
  • soul
  • return to life
Q2

Why does Alex lose his memories of being Louie?

After Alex is knocked unconscious during a chaotic confrontation in the courtroom, he wakes up back with the same mysterious man from his near-death experience. This time, the man apparently fails to inoculate him properly, and Alex loses all memories of his past life as Louie, leaving only fragments of his current existence.

Foreshadowing: The cosmic mix-up was always uncertain - the beings warned Louie he might not remember his past.

  • memory loss
  • reincarnation
  • forgetting
  • past life
  • consciousness
Q3

Why does Corinne end up marrying Philip?

After Alex reveals his true identity to Corinne and she initially rejects him, Corinne ultimately chooses to move on with Philip. Despite the emotional turmoil stirred by Alex's revelation about being Louie, Corinne decides to pursue a life with Philip, who had loved her secretly since the wedding in 1963.

Foreshadowing: Philip's secret confession at the wedding establishes his enduring feelings for Corinne.

  • corinne
  • philip
  • wedding
  • love triangle
  • choice
Q4

How does Alex figure out he is Louie reincarnated?

After moving into Philip's home, Alex discovers that Miranda is Corinne's daughter. Seeing the tree that Corinne planted years ago (named George) triggers flood of memories. As he spends time with Corinne and confronts the details of his past life, he gradually realizes that he is Louie returned in a new form.

Foreshadowing: The tree outside Philip's house serves as a visual reminder of time passed and connection to the past.

  • realization
  • memories
  • identity
  • revelation
  • miranda
Q5

Why does Corinne reject Alex's claim that he's Louie?

When Alex reveals his true identity to Corinne and shares intimate details only Louie would know - like the diamond earrings he gave her - she initially recoils in disbelief. The age difference and the sheer impossibility of the situation cause her to cast him aside, though she eventually comes to realize the truth.

Foreshadowing: Louie's gift of Jackie Kennedy-style diamond earrings becomes the proof Alex uses to convince Corinne.

  • rejection
  • disbelief
  • identity
  • proof
  • confrontation
Q6

How does Alex secure funding for Corinne's Smithsonian project?

Alex attends a high-profile event where Corinne's boss Archibald Blair is struggling to obtain funding for her project on former first ladies. At the event, Alex charms the wealthy Mavis Talmadge into donating, securing the necessary finances for Corinne's project.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Corinne's boss pressures her about funding, setting up this pivotal moment.

  • funding
  • smithsonian
  • charity
  • event
  • success
Q7

What happens to Judge Fenwick in the end?

Judge Fenwick, the corrupt judge who accepted bribes and wrongfully dismissed evidence that could have convicted a mobster, is exposed when Alex confronts him in court. Although Alex is thrown out of the courtroom, his efforts to bring down Fenwick impress Ben Bradlee, who offers him a job at The Washington Post.

Foreshadowing: Louie's original mission was to expose Fenwick's corruption by photographing him accepting a bribe in the woods.

  • judge fenwick
  • corruption
  • court
  • exposed
  • justice
Q8

Why was Louie so determined to expose Judge Fenwick?

Louie believed that Judge Fenwick had wrongfully dismissed vital evidence that could have allowed a dangerous mobster to evade justice. Driven by his commitment to truth and the law, Louie pursued the case relentlessly, even receiving a tip from Philip about a secret meeting where Fenwick would accept a bribe.

Foreshadowing: The courtroom battle establishes Louie's character as someone who fights for justice despite obstacles.

  • judge fenwick
  • corruption
  • mobster
  • evidence
  • bribe
Q9

How do Alex and Miranda meet at Yale?

Alex, working at the Yale library, meets Miranda when she is in trouble for overdue book fines just as she prepares to graduate from law school. Alex cleverly concocts a story to absolve her of the fines, showcasing his resourcefulness and setting the stage for their intertwining fates.

Foreshadowing: This chance meeting at Yale begins the romantic connection between Alex and Miranda.

  • yale
  • library
  • miranda
  • meeting
  • overdue books
Q10

What anniversary gift did Louie buy for Corinne?

Louie bought Corinne a pair of beautiful diamond earrings as an anniversary gift. These earrings were reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy's style, which becomes significant later when Alex uses this detail to prove his identity to Corinne.

Foreshadowing: The diamond earrings become crucial proof of Alex's true identity.

  • diamond earrings
  • gift
  • anniversary
  • jackie kennedy
  • proof
Q11

What causes Louie's fatal accident?

Louie is struck by a car while making his way to celebrate his first anniversary with Corinne. Distracted by his excitement over having captured evidence of Judge Fenwick's corruption, Louie doesn't see the car coming, leading to the accident that results in his death and subsequent reincarnation.

Foreshadowing: The contrast between Louie's hopeful state and the tragic outcome establishes the film's themes of fate.

  • car accident
  • death
  • fate
  • anniversary
  • distraction
Q12

Why does Alex live in his car before moving in with Philip?

Foreshadowing: Alex's ambition and resourcefulness are established early, setting up his eventual career success.

  • homeless
  • car
  • washington post
  • job
  • struggle
Q13

Why does Alex knock Philip out?

When Alex shares his secret about being Louie reincarnated with Philip, the revelation leads to a heated confrontation. In the chaos of this emotional encounter, Philip is knocked unconscious, creating another dramatic turn in their relationship.

Foreshadowing: Philip has carried secrets about his feelings for Corinne since the wedding, building tension for this moment.

  • philip
  • confrontation
  • knocked out
  • secret
  • conflict

Movie threads

More Movies Like Chances Are, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Chances Are tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Melancholy Romances like Chances Are

Love stories with a touch of magic and a bittersweet ache. If you liked the bittersweet fantasy and romantic longing in Chances Are, you'll find similar movies here. These stories combine magical premises with heartfelt emotion, exploring themes of eternal love and fate with a gentle, nostalgic touch.

  • whimsical
  • melancholic
  • nostalgic
  • romantic
  • dreamlike
  • bittersweet
  • Tone: whimsical, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives often feature a central magical conceit—like reincarnation or destiny—that brings characters together or forces them to confront past loves and losses. The journey is one of emotional discovery, where whimsy lightens the load of grief, leading to an ending that is seldom purely happy or sad, but rather thoughtfully bittersweet.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their unique tonal balance, blending magical or fantastical elements with deep romantic and melancholic undertones. They share a steady, reflective pace and a focus on the emotional fallout of second chances and the strange workings of fate.

Movies about Fated Encounters and Second Chances like Chances Are

Stories where destiny gives characters another shot at love or life. Find movies similar to Chances Are that explore the concept of destiny offering a second chance. These stories often involve reincarnation, unexpected reunions, or fateful twists, focusing on love, identity, and the emotional complexity of getting a do-over.

  • romantic
  • thought-provoking
  • dreamlike
  • nostalgic
  • poignant
  • hopeful
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a disruptive, often supernatural, event that returns a character to a pivotal point in their life or connects them with a soul from a past life. The central conflict is internal and emotional, as characters grapple with rediscovering their identity, confronting past grief, and deciding whether to follow the path laid out by fate.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their core plot device of a fated second chance and the thematic exploration of destiny, love, and identity. They share a moderate complexity due to their metaphysical premises and a steady pacing that allows for deep emotional exploration.

If you liked this

Movies Like Chances Are

Similar movies to Chances Are: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Chances Are (1989) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Chances Are in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app