Flirting with Disaster
Seen it?1996 | 93 min | Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (87% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 33 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Adopted as a child, new father Mel Colpin decides he cannot name his son until he knows his birth parents, and determines to make a cross-country quest to find them. Accompanied by his wife, Nancy, and an inept yet gorgeous adoption agent, Tina, he departs on an epic road trip that quickly devolves into a farce of mistaken identities, wrong turns, and overzealous and love-struck ATF agents.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$15 million worldwide on a $7 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by David O. Russell
- Ben StillerMel Coplin
- Patricia ArquetteNancy Coplin
- Téa LeoniTina Kalb
- Mary Tyler MoorePearl Coplin
- George SegalEd Coplin
- Alan AldaRichard Schlichting
- Lily TomlinMary Schlichting
- Richard JenkinsPaul Harmon
- Josh BrolinTony Kent
- Celia WestonValerie Swaney