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JoBeth Williams, Tom Conti, Giancarlo Giannini, Coral Browne, James Staley ... see more see more... , Huckleberry Fox , Christopher Daniel Barnes , Leon Zitrone , Jean Rougerie , Pierre Santini , Brian Eatwell , Albert Augier , Franck-Olivier Bonnet , Janine Darcey , Christian de Tilière , Ginette Garcin , Anna Gaylor , Gilberte Geniat , Fernand Guiot , Alan Haufrect , Jeffrey Kramer , Jacques Maury , Hubert Noël , Pierre Olaf , Nancy Stephens , André Valardy , Annick Alane , Serge Berry , Alain Flick , Pierre Gérard , Murray Gronwall , Eugeniusz Priwieziencew , Katia Tchenko , Michel Bardinet , Robin Coleman , Vic Heutschy , Alain Janey , Jean-Claude Montalban , Francois Viaur

In this farcical look at a female detective/mystery story writer, Cathy Palmer (JoBeth Williams) is an ordinary housewife living in Ohio with a condescending husband who is far from ideal. When Cathy ... read more read more...wins a writing contest and has the chance to go to Paris and meet the author of the romance novels she loves, her husband tries to prevent the trip. In the end, Cathy's interests prevail, though her husband still refuses to go with her. After arriving in Paris, Cathy is knocked down by a car and wakes up in the hospital with all memory of her past life erased. In its place, she believes she is Rebecca Ryan, the heroine in the romance novels she has read. Carrying her unconscious role to the hilt, she dresses in elegant clothes and meets the comically rattled Alan McMann (Tom Conti) who becomes her partner, of sorts. Little does she know that Alan is not Rebecca's secretary, but the actual ghost writer of the Ryan novels. Cathy begins to suspect that villains are lurking everywhere, and her intuition in that regard is unerring -- she has doubts about the klutzy leader of the French opposition party (Giancarlo Giannini), and it turns out her doubts are well-founded. As the plot thickens, it becomes apparent that sooner or later Cathy-cum-Rebecca will have to realize the truth about her identity, but in the meantime, much skullduggery awaits. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

60% liked it

3,234 ratings

Critics

20% liked it

5 critics

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Rick Rosenthal

Release Date: October 26, 1984

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DVD Release Date: May 3, 2005

Stats: 101 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (101)

  • jjnxn
    March 11, 2010
    jjnxn
    Charming caper film with JoBeth Williams obviously having fun and the wonderful Coral Browne in support.
  • rhospcs
    September 2, 2008
    rhospcs
    story is a bit weak, and it is hard to believe. But you can stop asking questions and take the film for the nonsence it is and escape a crapy day, trust me her's is a lot worse

View All American Dreamer Reviews

Critic Reviews

Tim Robey
May 11, 2007
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

Doesn't hold many surprises. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Resoundingly generic "Romancing the Stone" copycat.

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Pat Graham
January 1, 2000
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 23, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Frank Swietek
March 22, 2004
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

No review available.

Jeffrey Westhoff
July 26, 2002
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Steve Rhodes
January 1, 2000
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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