Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001)
80%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: 8 wins & 7 nominations
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing is an intelligent and poignant look at lives intersecting
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. But in this case, each chocolate is a different story about seemingly unconnected lives that eventually cross paths. It’s like a puzzle that you have to put together, but instead of frustration, you get a sense of satisfaction when you finally see the bigger picture. Plus, Clea DuVall is a total gem in this movie and deserves more recognition for her talent.
Production Company(ies)
Les Films, Impéria Les Productions, Georges de Beauregard Société Nouvelle de Cinématographie
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and brief drug use
Year of Release
2002
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 43m
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Language(s):English, German, Italian
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 24, 2002 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 19, 2002
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing, drama, 1h 43m, Matthew McConaughey, John Turturro, Alan Arkin, Clea Duvall, Amy Irving, Barbara Sukowa, directed by Jill Sprecher, written by Jill Sprecher and Karen Sprecher, produced by Beni Tadd Atoori and Gina Resnick, reviewed by David Stratton, Dave Calhoun, Stella Papamichael, Marjorie Baumgarten, Jay Boyar, Peter Howell, Miles Fielder, John A Nesbit, Felix Vasquez Jr., Christopher Smith, Emanuel Levy, Matthew Turner, R rating, box office gross of $3.3M, New York life, intersecting lives, rising young attorney, businessman seeking revenge, infidelity, chaos, isolated, diffuse, daily life, drama, Sony Pictures Classics, surround sound, stereo, flat aspect ratio
Worldwide gross: $3,706,652
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $6,147,714
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,113
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 670,416
US/Canada gross: $3,288,164
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,453,626
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,777
US/Canada opening weekend: $89,499
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $148,440
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,783
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $4,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,463,532
Production budget ranking: 1,793
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,019,112
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$5,334,929
ROI to date (est.): -46%
ROI ranking: 1,665
John Turturro – Walker
Alan Arkin – Gene
Clea Duvall – Beatrice
Amy Irving – Patricia
Barbara Sukowa – Helen
Director(s)
Jill Sprecher
Writer(s)
Jill Sprecher, Karen Sprecher
Producer(s)
Beni Tadd Atoori, Gina Resnick
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
8 wins & 7 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (114) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (95) | Rotten (19)
This intelligent, engaging indie introduces very human characters, with seemingly unconnected lives, whose paths cross.
March 27, 2009
David Stratton
Variety
TOP CRITIC
It’s entertaining, well-written, slice-of-life stuff, but I’d rather spend 90 minutes with one of these stories than flit between several in a manner that does little to illuminate any of them.
February 9, 2006
Dave Calhoun
Time Out
TOP CRITIC
Initially writer/director Jill Sprecher seems to revel in fashionable cynicism, but her ability to look at the lighter side and her discreet faith in human nature eventually win out.
June 14, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Stella Papamichael
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
October 1, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Without getting grand or preachy, the Sprechers use an unconventional approach to coax us into asking ourselves fundamental questions.
July 11, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
Often messy and frustrating, but very pleasing at its best moments, it’s very much like life itself.
July 10, 2002 | Rating: 3/5
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
TOP CRITIC
Sombre and stark, but shot through with witty observations and articulate dialogue, these conversations also benefit from a set of nicely modulated performances that breath life in to the occasionally forced dialogue.
April 25, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Miles Fielder
The List
lends higher philosophical and spiritual tone … without preaching
July 8, 2011 | Rating: B+
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
An interesting and profound drama…
April 29, 2009
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
A terrific film that follows several interrelated New York stories and the people barely existing within them.
December 1, 2005 | Rating: A
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Poignant, touching, and in moments deeply philosophical, Sprecher’s second feature is most interesting.
November 30, 2005 | Rating: B+
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Clea DuVall again shows why she’s one of Hollywood’s most under-rated actresses
June 18, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon…
Plot
A physics professor approaching middle age decides to change his life with unexpected results. A rising young prosecuting attorney’s plans are thrown into disarray as the result of a single careless act while distracted. A woman reluctantly faces her husband’s infidelity. An envious insurance claims manager with family problems seeks revenge on a cheerful coworker, but has second thoughts. And an optimistic young cleaning woman awaits a miracle, only to have her faith shaken by a traumatic event. These ordinary people all find themselves asking the fundamental question philosophers have pondered throughout history: What is happiness, and how does one achieve it?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Clea DuVall’s performance is praised as one of the highlights of the film.
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