A Life Less Ordinary

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A Life Less Ordinary

R

1997

1h 43m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

41%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

A couple of angels, O'Reilly (Holly Hunter) and Jackson (Delroy Lindo), are sent to Earth to make sure that their next supervised love-connection succeeds. They follow Celine (Cameron Diaz), a spoiled rich girl who has just accidentally shot a suitor (Stanley Tucci) and, due to a misunderstanding, is kidnapped by janitor Robert (Ewan McGregor). Although Celine quickly frees herself, she stays with Robert for thrills. O'Reilly and Jackson pursue, hoping to unite the prospective lovers.

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Critics Consensus

A Life Less Ordinary has an intriguing cast and stylish work from director Danny Boyle, but they're not enough to overcome the story's fatally misjudged tonal mishmash.

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Jan 10, 2018

1.5/4

Lovely to look at, a semi-chore to sit through, this flick could have used an extra blast of pixie dust.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

2/4

The plot's a mess, the characters flail about in scenes without points, and the more we see of Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor, the more we yearn for a nice, simple little love story.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

May 17, 2020

2.5/4

An ambitious yet not-altogether-successful piece of work...

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Feb 19, 2009

B+

It combines romance, comedy, the supernatural, violence, whimsy and music in a unique way.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Aug 13, 2007

B

Any movie featuring Holly Hunter as a blood-spattered angel, grinning homicidally as she clings to the hood of a speeding car, is just about impossible to dislike.

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Judith Egerton

Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)

Jul 1, 2004

3/4

Part fantasy-adventure, part musical, part nutty romance and part boy-girl crime spree.

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Huntin P

@PaxVobiscum80 Sep 24, 2026

No movie after Trainspotting can be said to be brightened or improved by EM's presence. Even CD is in more junk than joia, alas. Joia is Portuguese btw. Best thing about this tosh is the movie title and the title song by Ash.

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Dominik E

@Chopyn Jan 11, 2026

The plot surely is nothing with great depth, but this one of my favourite Movies of all times. Not a single dull minute and Cameron Diaz was never more adorable!

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Jake S.

@JShear2028 Jul 22, 2025

One of my all-time favorite movies. It’s a fun, at times bonkers ride. The chemistry between McGregor and Diaz is palpable. One of the best romantic comedies ever made in my opinion.

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Munkhjargal A

@RT28084692 Jul 22, 2024

this movie depicts how angels create love themselves. He made me understand that he can be very successful and fall in love like that. I was happy with the director and learned that it is possible to make people understand in this way.

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 Jul 21, 2024

This idea of the film shooting technique director made the film more attractive to people.

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P K

@Pohaku808 Jan 21, 2024

A misunderstood and overlooked gem. Amazing cast, great plot and acting. WATCH IT, give it a chance

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Danny Boyle

Director

Ewan McGregor

Robert Lewis

Cameron Diaz

Celine Naville

Holly Hunter

O'Reilly

Delroy Lindo

Jackson

Ian Holm

Naville

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Synopsis

A couple of angels, O'Reilly (Holly Hunter) and Jackson (Delroy Lindo), are sent to Earth to make sure that their next supervised love-connection succeeds. They follow Celine (Cameron Diaz), a spoiled rich girl who has just accidentally shot a suitor (Stanley Tucci) and, due to a misunderstanding, is kidnapped by janitor Robert (Ewan McGregor). Although Celine quickly frees herself, she stays with Robert for thrills. O'Reilly and Jackson pursue, hoping to unite the prospective lovers.

Director: Danny Boyle
Producer: Andrew Macdonald
Screenwriter: John Hodge
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, Polygram
Production Co: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.3M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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