Year: 1989
Runtime: 108 min
Language: English
Director: Emile Ardolino
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.
Get a spoiler-free look at Chances Are (1989) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the elegant sweep of post‑war America, a quiet yet vibrant world of politics, academia, and media shapes the lives of a handful of dreamers. At its heart is Louie, a charismatic attorney whose marriage to Corinne seems poised for a bright future. Their lives are intertwined with the bustling streets of Washington, D.C., where ambition and affection coexist amid the rhythm of the capital’s cultural pulse. The tone is gently romantic, tinged with a wistful sense of possibility that lingers in the city’s historic corridors and leafy suburbs.
An unexpected tragedy propels the story into the realm of the extraordinary: Louie is granted a chance to return, not as the man he was, but as a newborn who will grow up in the very region he once called home. The film follows this new incarnation—now known as Alex—as he navigates the world with an uncanny awareness of a past that feels both distant and intimate. The atmosphere balances humor and melancholy, inviting the audience to wonder how memory and identity might survive beyond a single lifetime.
Alex quickly becomes drawn into the orbit of Corinne’s grown‑up family, where he meets Miranda, a bright and determined law student whose own path is marked by curiosity and hidden longings. Their connection hints at a deeper, almost fated convergence, suggesting that the ties that bind us may stretch across years and even beyond death. The narrative’s mood is one of gentle intrigue, underscored by a subtle magical realism that asks what it means to love, to lose, and to find redemption in unexpected places.
Through richly textured settings—from the venerable halls of Yale’s library to the storied museums of the Smithsonian—the story paints a portrait of a world where personal histories echo louder than the present. The film invites viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between past choices and future hopes, all while maintaining a light‑hearted, hopeful tone that celebrates the enduring power of love and the mysterious currents that guide our lives.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:38
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Chances Are in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Chances Are is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Chances Are, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Chances Are with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Chances Are. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Chances Are: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Chances Are that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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