Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

A Simple Twist of Fate

  • 1994
  • PG-13
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
6.5K
YOUR RATING
Steve Martin in A Simple Twist of Fate (1994)
His life was emotionally closed off from the world, until an orphaned baby showed up at his house.
Play trailer2:05
1 Video
41 Photos
Coming-of-AgePsychological DramaComedyDrama

His life was emotionally closed off from the world, until an orphaned baby showed up at his house.His life was emotionally closed off from the world, until an orphaned baby showed up at his house.His life was emotionally closed off from the world, until an orphaned baby showed up at his house.

  • Director
    • Gillies MacKinnon
  • Writers
    • George Eliot
    • Steve Martin
  • Stars
    • Steve Martin
    • Gabriel Byrne
    • Laura Linney
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    6.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Gillies MacKinnon
    • Writers
      • George Eliot
      • Steve Martin
    • Stars
      • Steve Martin
      • Gabriel Byrne
      • Laura Linney
    • 53User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Trailer

    Photos41

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 34
    View Poster

    Top cast55

    Edit
    Steve Martin
    Steve Martin
    • Michael McCann
    Gabriel Byrne
    Gabriel Byrne
    • John Newland
    Laura Linney
    Laura Linney
    • Nancy Lambert Newland
    Catherine O'Hara
    Catherine O'Hara
    • April Simon
    Alana Austin
    Alana Austin
    • Mathilda McCann - Age 10
    Alyssa Austin
    Alyssa Austin
    • Mathilda McCann - Age 5
    Alaina Mobley
    • Mathilda McCann - Age 3
    Callie Mobley
    • Mathilda McCann - Age 3
    Victoria Evans
    • Mathilda McCann - Age 1
    Elizabeth Evans
    • Mathilda McCann - Age 1
    Stephen Baldwin
    Stephen Baldwin
    • Tanny Newland
    Byron Jennings
    Byron Jennings
    • Keating
    Michael Des Barres
    Michael Des Barres
    • Bryce
    • (as Michael des Barres)
    Tim Ware
    Tim Ware
    • Rob
    David Dwyer
    David Dwyer
    • Joe the Bartender
    Tom Even
    • Dod the Cop
    Ed Grady
    Ed Grady
    • Judge Marcus
    Amelia Campbell
    Amelia Campbell
    • Marsha Swanson
    • Director
      • Gillies MacKinnon
    • Writers
      • George Eliot
      • Steve Martin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews53

    6.36.5K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    callie-5

    Steve Martin doing drama? Yes!

    Steve Martin is, and will always be, a comedian first and foremost. But everyone needs to do something different in their life and he does it well! Mr. Martin took the story of Silas Mariner and has updated it to a wonderful story. It's not a comedy movie because it's not a comedic book that it came from. I think that Mr. Martin has kept the feelings of loss and rebirth (for lack of a better phrasing) vibrantly alive in this adaptation. Steve Martin CAN do drama and he does it so well. The story and characters are rich. You are drawn in to the despair of the main character, feeling for him, but still wanting to kick him in the pants and tell him to get on with, not just life, but living. And when the opportunity to do so presents itself to him. It is a joy to watch him become human again. I could go on forever, but I'm only allowed 1,000 words. Not enough for this movie, so see for yourself what it is that makes Steve Martin not just a versatile actor, but a GOOD actor.
    joeo-3

    Steve Martin shows true depth as an actor in this film!

    Hello, This is a favorite film of mine, because Steve Martin plays the lead role with both deep sincerity and passion. I have seen him in many comedic roles, and yes he makes me laugh at the time. However, I have enjoyed him just as much playing a sad miser with a heart of gold. Everyone must see this movie for his acting alone. It really makes me think twice about Steve Martin as an actor.
    gavintabineruk

    The funny thing is

    It was only by a simple twist of fate that i saw this film, that twist being that there was nothing else worth watching on tv last night, and so i tuned in and watched this film, and really enjoyed it. Like so many people have commented, it is a nice change to see S M doing drama, i found that he added some very comical moments to the film (the weather ballon scene). This is a touching story that makes you happy. aaaawwwwwwwwww, sniff***sniff****
    9Bronco46

    Another Great Steve Martin Film

    Steve Martin wrote, directed and starred in this film. And he did a great job! A heartwarming film about an adopted child, her adopted father, and some very unhappy rich people. Thank you very much Mr Martin
    8GoldenOldie

    A Good Adaptation of "Silas Marner"

    I missed the first two or three minutes that would have included the credits and so did not realize that I would be watching George Eliot's moving novel. Although the movie was thoroughly modernized it took very little time for me to realize what I was watching. -- Much to my surprise and delight. I felt that George Eliot would have loved this movie. I give it a strong recommendation if you have read "Silas Marner". Those who have not, though, may find it contrived.

    More like this

    Shopgirl
    6.3
    Shopgirl
    L.A. Story
    6.7
    L.A. Story
    Leap of Faith
    6.2
    Leap of Faith
    My Blue Heaven
    6.3
    My Blue Heaven
    Grand Canyon
    6.8
    Grand Canyon
    The Man with Two Brains
    6.4
    The Man with Two Brains
    Bowfinger
    6.5
    Bowfinger
    The Lonely Guy
    6.2
    The Lonely Guy
    Roxanne
    6.6
    Roxanne
    All of Me
    6.7
    All of Me
    Mixed Nuts
    5.4
    Mixed Nuts
    HouseSitter
    6.2
    HouseSitter

    Related interests

    Elsie Fisher in Eighth Grade (2018)
    Coming-of-Age
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Psychological Drama
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Loosely based on the 1861 novel Silas Marner by George Eliot.
    • Goofs
      When Tanny crashes the Mercedes, a large plastic hubcap is shown flying through the air. His car has original Mercedes alloy wheels. The steering wheel with the deploying airbag shown in the picture does not belong to the Mercedes either.
    • Quotes

      Judge Marcus: As a judge, I'm always interested in the exact moment when someone's argument falls apart.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Quiz Show/Milk Money/A Simple Twist of Fate/A Good Man in Africa/What Happened Was... (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Past Three O'Clock
      Piano Arranged by Mark McKenzie

      Performed by The Young Singers of Callanwolde Choir

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ18

    • How long is A Simple Twist of Fate?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 2, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Un giro del destino
    • Filming locations
      • Buford, Georgia, USA
    • Production company
      • Touchstone Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,430,583
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,404,904
      • Sep 5, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,430,583
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 46m(106 min)
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.