Search Movie Plot Summaries & Endings Explained

Comedy · Bittersweet tone · Bittersweet ending

Fathers' Day (1997)

In Kigali, Rwanda, a mother grapples with profound loss while her daughter strives to save her father’s life. A thief, attempting a misguided act, unwittingly involves his own son, creating unexpected complications. Their intertwined stories unfold against the backdrop of a memorable Father's Day, revealing themes of family, sacrifice, and redemption in this heartwarming drama.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Genealogies of a Crime (1997)

The case hinges on whether the aunt—a psychiatrist who took the young man under her care to study his possible homicidal urges—is merely a victim, a perpetrator, or both. An attorney defends the accused, navigating a maze of family ties, psychological evaluation, and the unsettling notion that the very person meant to protect may be complicit.

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Thriller · Tense tone · Happy ending

Breakdown (1997)

While driving along a lonely highway, Jeff Taylor experiences a sudden, unexpected turn of events when his wife Amy disappears. With the police unable to find any leads and the surrounding community offering little help, Jeff begins a dangerous search for answers. He must face his deepest anxieties as he desperately tries to find Amy and determine what has become of her.

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Action · Light tone · Happy ending

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

After being frozen for three decades, international spy Austin Powers is revived to confront his nemesis, Dr. Evil. Now in the modern era, Austin must adapt his outdated spy techniques and distinctly 1960s style to thwart Dr. Evil's latest scheme. The charismatic and unconventional agent finds himself navigating a world vastly different from the one he left behind, all while embracing his unique and swinging personality.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Commandments (1997)

Seth Warner, shattered by his wife's death, a ruined career and a destroyed home, hits rock bottom. In a raging thunderstorm he climbs to his New York rooftop and screams at God, demanding why he’s been betrayed by the deity he has always honored. When a lightning strike kills his dog, his fury erupts and he vows to retaliate by breaking each of the biblical Ten Commandments, embarking on a dark, vengeful crusade.

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Family · Hopeful tone · Bittersweet ending

Warriors of Virtue (1997)

In a fantastical realm, disabled teen Ryan dreams of joining his school’s football team. A rite of passage transports him to the mystical land of Tao, where the evil Lord Komodo hunts him as a key to the real world. Five kangaroo-like guardians representing the five elements rescue him, and Ryan finds courage while defending Tao.

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Romance · Light tone · Happy ending

Aahwanam (1997)

A married man who prioritizes money over love and emotions is approached by a wealthy woman. To win her hand, he deceives her by claiming he is already divorced and sets out to obtain a legal divorce so he can marry the rich client. Unbeknownst to him, his own wife is plotting her own course.

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Romance · Tense tone · Happy ending

Preminchukundam Raa (1997)

The film opens with Veerabadrayya, a Rayalaseema faction leader opposed to love marriages, murdering a couple. Giridhar arrives in Kurnool, stays with his sister and falls for neighbour Kaveri, who loves him back. When Kaveri’s father is revealed as Veerabadrayya, he sends his men after them. Giridhar and Kaveri flee, and the story follows their struggle against his wrath.

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Comedy · Bittersweet tone · Happy ending

All Stars (1997)

The film follows seven young men who have played soccer together since childhood. As adulthood pulls them in different directions, they confront how their friendship has changed. Set in a humorous, distinctly Dutch backdrop, the story touches on pregnant girlfriends, homosexuality, career ambitions and the influence and the power their parents wield.

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Romance · Dark tone · Mixed ending

The Soong Sisters (1997)

Educated in the United States before returning to a turbulent China, the three Soong sisters each forged powerful alliances that shaped the nation. Ai‑ling wed industrial magnate H. H. Kung, Ching‑ling married revolutionary founder Sun Yat‑sen, and Mei‑ling became the wife of wartime leader Chiang Kai‑shek. The film traces their personal ambitions, political influence and the lasting legacy of their remarkable marriages.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Blackrock (1997)

Jared, a surfer in New South Wales, enjoys life with his friends until a beach party turns violent. He watches four mates assault a 15‑year‑old girl and does nothing as she’s found murdered the next day. At school, girls demand justice while boys mock the victim. As mother faces cancer, police question him and Ricko, Jared hits a breaking point.

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Drama · Bittersweet tone · Bittersweet ending

Children of the Revolution (1997)

Following a trip to Moscow, Joan Fraser finds herself pregnant, sparking a frantic search for the baby's father. The ensuing investigation reveals a tangled web of relationships involving her husband, a lovesick spy, and unexpected connections to the Soviet dictator Stalin. This comedic film explores a chaotic series of events as the truth gradually comes to light.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Ambiguous ending

Irma Vep (1997)

Hong Kong action star Maggie Cheung portrays a fictionalized version of herself in a remake of the classic silent film Les Vampires. The film explores the challenges and absurdities she encounters while filming in France, struggling to connect with the crew and cast without speaking the language. As Cheung embodies the iconic character, her own persona becomes intertwined with the role, leading to a humorous and poignant examination of identity and the creative process within the world of cinema.

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Drama · Bittersweet tone · Bittersweet ending

A Match Made in Heaven (1997)

Sometimes dreams turn into reality. A dying widow plays matchmaker to her 32-year-old unmarried son and sets him up with a nurse that she meets.

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Drama · Tense tone · Mixed ending

Riot (1997)

In April 1992, after the controversial Rodney King verdict, Los Angeles erupts into violent unrest. The city’s streets become a battlefield, serving as the backdrop for four interwoven personal narratives that explore how ordinary lives are caught up in the chaos and tension of the riots.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

Volcano (1997)

Following the sudden death of a housemaid, several interconnected lives are thrown into turmoil. A web of secrets and lies is revealed as the characters navigate a dangerous and increasingly chaotic situation. Their fragile relationships are tested as they confront the truth and fight to survive.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bleak ending

A Brother’s Kiss (1997)

In Harlem, brothers Lex and his younger sibling Mick lead contrasting lives—Mick works as a police officer while Lex, after serving time in a reformatory for standing up to a corrupt cop who attempted to assault Mick, lives with his wife Debbie and struggles to make ends meet. When Lex calls Mick with a serious dilemma, their relationship is tested.

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Drama · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

All Over Me (1997)

Claude and Ellen, two inseparable friends navigating the gritty streets of 1990s New York, immerse themselves in a scene of raves, drugs, live music and pervasive homophobia. Their world is shattered when a senseless, violent death forces them to confront loss, identity, and the pressure to conform.

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Action · Light tone · Happy ending

The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion! (1997)

Mama Josephine Max plots to turn the Duke family farm into a theme park, threatening Hazzard’s way of life. To thwart her scheme, cousins Bo and Luke enter a high‑stakes, cross‑country moonshine race, betting the land and proving that in Hazzard, disputes are settled on the road.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997)

Romy and Michele, two unconventional friends, decide to reinvent themselves before their high school reunion. They create elaborate backstories and impressive personas, initially fooling their former classmates with tales of success and accomplishment. However, their carefully constructed facades begin to crumble when a classmate exposes their true identities. Determined to make a memorable impression, the pair then orchestrate a surprising and elaborate dance routine, leading to unexpected and comical outcomes.

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Adventure · Tense tone · Happy ending

Steel Sharks (1997)

Below the waves there’s only one option—escape or die. In this tense undersea thriller, a United States submarine is hijacked by terrorists. An elite team of Navy SEALs is sent to rescue the vessel, but the mission goes awry and the commandos are captured. Forced to operate in the darkness, they must wage a silent, covert war beneath the surface to reclaim the sub and survive.

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Drama · Hopeful tone · Bittersweet ending

On the Edge of Innocence (1997)

Teenage Zoe Tyler, struggling with manic depression and an absent father, is admitted to a psychiatric ward where she meets Jake, a teen with anger issues. They fall in love, but doctors and families pull them apart. Jake breaks out, taking Zoe and other patients on a trip. As they flee, they must confront their illnesses and the crime's fallout.

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Drama · Tense tone · Ambiguous ending

Four Days in September (1997)

Seeking freedom from Brazil’s 1960s military dictatorship, journalist Fernando and his friend César enlist in the guerrilla group MR‑8. After César is wounded and arrested during a bank robbery, Fernando plots to abduct the American ambassador, demanding the release of fifteen political prisoners in exchange for the diplomat’s safety.

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Action · Dark tone · Happy ending

Koyla (1997)

A humble village girl agrees to an arranged marriage with a distant king after receiving his portrait, believing she will wed a regal sovereign. The image, however, depicts his faithful, mute servant Shankar. When she arrives at the palace, she discovers that the man she is to marry is the loyal slave, not the king himself.

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Action · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Murder at 1600 (1997)

Amidst a backdrop of international turmoil, a murder in the White House bathroom triggers a dangerous investigation. Detective Harlan Regis and agent Nina Chance must work together to unravel the truth, navigating complex political machinations and uncovering a web of conspiracies. As they get closer to the killer, Regis finds himself framed for treason, forcing them both to fight for their reputations and expose the real culprit.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)

A hapless mobster, Tommy Spinelli, finds his plans derailed when his carry-on bag is accidentally switched. The mix-up results in the unexpected delivery of eight decapitated gangsters to a medical student. Tommy must then navigate a series of increasingly comical and chaotic misadventures as he attempts to recover his misplaced and very unusual package, leading to unexpected consequences and plenty of mayhem.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Character (1997)

In the Netherlands before World War II, the impoverished, illegitimate son of a powerful bailiff aspires to become a lawyer, confronting his father's constant scorn and relentless spite as he spends his life battling to earn his father's respect and prove his own worth.

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Comedy · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Twin Town (1997)

Jeremy and Julian Lewis, the Lewis twins, are brothers terrorising Swansea from their caravan park. After their father, Fatty, is injured working on a roof for crime boss Bryn Cartwright, they fail to get compensation, sparking a campaign of terror. Police officers Terry and Grayo, tangled in Cartwright’s drug trade, are helpless to stop them.

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Romance · Bittersweet tone · Ambiguous ending

In Praise of Older Women (1997)

Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, the film follows a young man's sexual awakening as he engages in a series of relationships with mature, older women. Through these encounters, love and sex emerge as a vital, harmonious force shaping his coming‑of‑age journey.

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Action · Dark tone

Ziddi (1997)

Sunny Deol plays Deva, son of a lawyer (Anupam Kher) living with his brother Aakash and sister Guddi. After Guddi is assaulted, Deva is jailed, becomes a crime lord and rises in the city’s underworld, angering rivals. They frame him for a minister’s murder; the plot fails, leaving Deva on the run with the minister hostage while his siblings are killed.

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Crime · Dark tone

Keys to Tulsa (1997)

Murder, blackmail and deceit swirl in a small town where Richter Boudreau, living in the shadow of his famous mother, has just lost his job as the town paper’s film critic. A dangerous proposition pulls him into a blackmail scheme, and his friend Ronnie convinces him to help steal the inheritance of Ronnie’s wife, Vicky.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

Anaconda (1997)

A documentary crew journeys deep into the Amazon rainforest, hoping to find the elusive Shirishama tribe. They encounter and rescue Paul Sarone, a man who claims to know the tribe's whereabouts. However, Paul harbors a dangerous secret: he's obsessed with capturing the enormous, legendary anaconda said to inhabit the jungle's depths. The crew soon finds themselves in a terrifying fight for survival against the colossal snake and the man who seeks to control it.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Happy ending

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Martin Blank, a professional assassin, returns to his Michigan hometown for his high school reunion, forcing a collision of his dangerous profession and his past. A previous job gone wrong triggers a personal crisis, leading him to reconnect with his former girlfriend, Debi Newberry. While grappling with his identity and the emptiness of his life, Martin finds himself pursued by rival hitmen and must decide whether to seek a path to redemption or continue as a killer.

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Drama · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Paradise Road (1997)

During World War II, a diverse group of women finds refuge and builds a makeshift community on the island of Java. Facing difficult circumstances and enduring hardship, they discover strength and forge deep bonds while striving to maintain hope amidst the ongoing conflict and uncertainty of their situation.

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Drama · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Shall We Dance? (1997)

A meticulous executive's predictable life takes an unexpected turn when he signs up for ballroom dance classes hoping to find romance. As he learns the steps, he becomes immersed in a vibrant community of dancers and forms surprising friendships. He struggles to keep his newfound hobby a secret from his colleagues and family, leading to humorous situations and personal growth.

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Action · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Arunachalam (1997)

Arunachalam, the son of a prominent village elder, discovers the truth about his past.

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Comedy · Whimsical tone · Ambiguous ending

Schizopolis (1997)

This quirky comedy presents a unique challenge to the audience, inviting them to piece together a story of mistaken identity and unconventional humor. The film blends linguistic puzzles with the complexities of office politics, creating a deliberately disorienting and playful narrative. It showcases the filmmaker's experimental style and reputation for pushing creative boundaries, offering a deliberately ambiguous and thought-provoking experience.

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Romance · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Himalay Putra (1997)

Suraj, a police inspector, falls for Seema, the daughter of a rich businessman. Their marriage is blocked by Seema’s father, who convinces her Suraj is greedy. Pregnant, Seema flees to the Himalayas and births Abhay. Raised on his mother’s side, Abhay seeks his father and confronts past lies while falling for Esha, Major Mathur’s daughter.

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Romance · Melancholic tone · Sad ending

Anna Karenina (1997)

In the opulent circles of 19th‑century St. Petersburg, Anna Karenina, the wife of a Russian imperial minister, follows her heart and embarks on a passionate affair with the dashing cavalry officer Count Vronsky, igniting a scandal that threatens her marriage, reputation, and place in high society.

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Comedy · Bittersweet tone · Mixed ending

Little City (1997)

Best friends Adam and Kevin share almost everything—so much that Kevin begins a secret affair with Adam’s girlfriend, Nina. When newcomer Rebecca arrives, the love triangle becomes a tangled quartet. The film humorously explores the chaotic, modern complexities of relationships, showing how love today can be both tangled and wildly entertaining.

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