Chances Are (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• homeless
• car
• washington post
• job
• struggle

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