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A Life Less Ordinary (Original title)
Dates: 1997 (Copyright), 24 October 1997 (Release)

Country: United Kingdom

Director: Danny Boyle

Synopsis: In Heaven, Gabriel orders angels Jackson and O'Reilly to make rich Celine Naville and poor Robert, a janitor in her father’s company, fall in love. When Robert is sacked he decides to visit his ex-boss’s office where he meets Celine. Celine forces Robert to kidnap her, so that they can split the ransom and the pair go on the run, but the angels plan to make them fall in love doesn’t work out as they intended.

Genres:
Comedy, Romance

Subjects:
Angels, Love, Kidnapping
Releases
Date: 24 October 1997Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: not specified - Colour - Rankcolor - Sound - Dolby DigitalAspect ratio: 1.85:1Runtime: 99 mins 34 secs - Length: 9332 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Credits (156)
©: Life Less Limited, A Figment film: Figment Films, Developed and supported by: Channel Four Films, Presents: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Produced by: Andrew Macdonald, Line Producer: Margaret Hilliard, Production Manager: Alecia Larue, Production Manager: Leanne Amos, Production Supervisor UK: Jill Robertson, Production Supervisor: Line Postmyr, Production Co-ordinator: Judi Voye, Production Co-ordinator: Danielle Aquino, Assistant Production Co-ordinator: Patty Smales, Production Accountant: Cheri Hall, Post-production Accounting: Jennifer Booth, Location Manager: Andrew Langton, Location Manager: Jerry Jaffe, Assistant Location Manager: Susan Dillon Beckett, Post-production Co-ordinator: Clare St. John, Production Assistant UK: Alice Henty, 2nd Unit Director: Jeff Jensen, 1st Assistant Director: Matias Alvarez, 1st Assistant Director: Lisa Campbell, 2nd Assistant Director: Miriam Epstein, 2nd Assistant Director: Tia Ardran, 2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Win Whittaker, 2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Aleszandra Krecsko, Extras Co-ordinator: Carla Woodmanse, Script Supervisor: Lee Nowak, Casting Director: Donna Isaacson, Utah Casting: Cate Praggastis, Casting Associate Los Angeles: Christian Kaplan, Gail Goldberg, Casting Associate Utah: Sarah Foxe, Written by: John Hodge, Director of Photography: Brian Tufano, Underwater Director of Photography: Gary Shlifer, Steadicam Operator: Gregory W. Smith, 1st Assistant Camera: Bob Shipsey, 2nd Assistant Camera: Robert 'Dobber' Price, Loader: Caroline Burton, Gaffer: Patrick Reddish, Gaffer: Jeff Fitzgerald, Best Boy Electric: Patrick Lennon, Key Grip: Don Cerrone, Key Grip: Gino Nix, Best Boy Grip: J. Todd Taylor, Dolly Grip: S. Scott Drinon, Video Assist: Hal Lewis, Still Photographer: Darren Michaels, Digital Film Effects Supervisor: Tim Webber, Digital Film Effects Producer: Drew Jones, Senior Digital Film Effects Artist: Rob Duncan, Senior Digital Effects Artist: Avtar Baines, 3D Animation: Arnon Manor, Digital Effects Artist: Donald Campbell, Pedro Sabrosa, Digital Film Scanning Supervisor: Phil Campbell, Digital Film Scanning/Recording: Steve Tizzard, Digital Effects Assistant: Libby Hazell, Storyboard Artist: Miguel Sapochnik, Digital Visual Effects: FrameStore (London), Special Effects Co-ordinator: Bob Shelley, Special Effects Assistant: B.J. Shelley, Wheel of Fortune: Any Effects, Supervising Technician: Mike Crowley, Mechanical Effects: Paul Kelly, Neon: Neon Circus, Animation Director: Mike Mort, Animation Producer: Sophie Bryne, [Animation Unit] Director of Photography: Christine Vesterguard, [Animation Unit] Production Design: Jo Hughes, [Animation Unit] Executive Producer: Andrew Ruhemann, Animation: Passion Pictures, Aaargh! Animation, Edited by: Masahiro Hirakubo, Assembly Editor: Anuree De Silva, Assistant Editor: Neil Williams, Assistant Editor: Denton Brown, Production Designer: Kave Quinn, Art Director: Tracey Lang Gallacher, Art Department Associate: Eve Mavrakis, Set Designer: Linden Snyder, Set Decorator: Marcia Calosio, Set Dressing Leadman: Kevin Milburn, On-set Dresser: John Reneau, Original Paintings: Marcelino Stuhmer, Storyboard Artist: Darrin Fletcher, Property Master: Terry Haskell, Construction Co-ordinator: Kimo Jones, Costume Designer: Rachael Fleming, Costume Supervisor: Jennifer Bonham Hunt, Key Costumer: Elizabeth Lanny Sikes, Make-up Supervisor: Kathrine James, Assistant Make-up: Loretta James-Demasi, Ms [Holly] Hunter's Make-up: Kathrine James, Make-up Artiste/Mr [Delroy] Lindo's Make-up: Diane Hammond, Special Make-up Effects: Douglas White Effects, Robot Puppeteer: Crit Killen, Key Hairstylist/Ms [Cameron] Diaz's Hair: Anne Morgan, Assistant Hairstylist: Toni Brown, Titles/Opticals: Cine Image, Colour Timer: John Heath, Negative Cutting: Sylvia Wheeler Film Services, Dailies by: DeLuxe, Originated on Motion Picture Film from: Kodak, Colour by: Rank Film Laboratories, Original Music Score by: David Arnold, Music Supervisor: Randall Poster, Music Co-ordinator: Deborah Mannis-gardner, Choreographer: Adam Shankman, Choreographer Assistant: Anne Fletcher, [Production] Sound Mixer: Doug Cameron, Boom Operator: Joseph L. Garrard, Post-production Sound: Boom, Dubbing Theatre: Cine Bedrti (Brussels), Re-recording Mixer: Paul Hamblin, Assistant [Sound] Mixer: Edward Jones, Supervising Sound Editor: Andy Kennedy, [Sound] Effects Editor: Graham Headicar, Catherine Hodgson, ADR Editor USA: Jonathan Miller, ADR Voice Casting: Louis Elman, Foley Artist: Paul Hanks, Foley Artist: Dave Poulton, Foley Recordist: Phill Barrett, Stunt Co-ordinator: Jeff Jensen, Stunt Player: Mickey Alzola, Stunt Player: John Alden, Stunt Player: Frank L. Bare II, Stunt Player: Kelly Brown, Stunt Player: Tony Brubaker, Stunt Player: Allan Graf, Stunt Player: Cort L. Hessler III, Stunt Player: Hubie Kerns Jr, Stunt Player: Lance King, Stunt Player: Julius Leflore, Stunt Player: Gary Littlejohn, Stunt Player: Paul Short, Stunt Player: Al Wyatt Jr, Nancy Young, Holly Hunter Double: Stacy Courtney, Stand-in: Scott Wright, Stand-in: Andrea McConnell, Stand-in: Phillip Banks, Stand-in: Dana Scott, Post-production Script: Sapex Scripts, Legal Services Provided by: Theodore Goddard, Publicist: Sarah Clark, McDonald & Rutter, Camera Systems by: Clairmont, Lighting Equipment Supplied by: Paskal Lighting, Ewan McGregor Clothing by: Gucci, Cameron Diaz Costumes by: Gianni Versace, Completion Guarantor: Film Finances Inc.
Cast (27)
Ewan McGregor (Robert), Cameron Diaz (Celine Naville), Holly Hunter (O'Reilly), Delroy Lindo (Jackson), Ian Holm (Naville), Maury Chaykin (Tod), Dan Hedaya (Gabriel), Ian McNeice (Mayhew), Tony Shalhoub (Al), Stanley Tucci (Elliot), Frank Kanig (Ted), Mel Winkler (Frank), Anne Cullimore Decker (Ms Gesteten), K.K. Dodds (Lily), Christopher Gorham (Walt), Timothy Olyphant (hiker), Robert Kellogg (karaoke cowboy), David Stifel (Felix), Duane Stephens (attendant), Jayceen Craven (rental car agent), Crystal Martinez (bank teller), Jan Hanks (customer), Mary-Cristina Schaub (bank daughter), Kitty Brunson (bank teller), Chuck Gowdy (client), Judith Ivey (Celine's mother), Toni Lynn Byrd (secretary)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (29)
In: Empire n236 February 2009  Page: 139
Title: At home/DVD reissues: A Life Less OrdinaryAuthor: FREER, Ian Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n200 February 2006  Pages: 140-141
Title: The soundtrack of our livesArticle type: AdvertisementLanguage: English
Description: To celebrate its 200th issue Empire select their favourite songs from film soundtracks covering the period of its 200 issues.

In: Empire n141 March 2001  Page: 136
Title: Remote control: video to buyAuthor: [KN] Article type: Video ReviewLanguage: English

In: Film Tutti i Film della Stagione n45 May/Jun 2000  Page: 31
Title: [Film Tutti i Film della Stagione - n45 May/Jun 2000: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: Italian

In: Empire n115 January 1999  Page: 147
Title: Videos to buyAuthor: COLLINS, Andrew Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Review of retail video release of "Danny Boyle: the collection", which comprises SHALLOW GRAVE, TRAINSPOTTING and A LIFE LESS ORDINARY.

In: Cinefantastique v29 n9 January 1998  Page: 59
Title: ReviewsAuthor: HOLLANDER, Judd Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Film Review vSpec nNo.22 Yearbook 1997/98  Pages: 112-113
Title: Faces of 1997Author: BRETT, Anwar Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: An interview with actress Cameron Diaz who discusses her roles in A LIFE LESS ORDINARY and MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING, and her success in 1997.

In: Film Review vSpec nNo.22 Yearbook 1997/98  Page: 57
Title: Film reviewsAuthor: RICHARDS, Terry Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Entertainment Weekly n402 24 Oct 1997  Pages: 22-27
Title: Ordinary PeopleAuthor: SVETKEY, Benjamin Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Background to A LIFE LESS ORDINARY, with comments from cast and crew.

In: Screen International n1134 14 Nov 1997  Page: 10
Title: Style CounsellorsAuthor: DOBSON, Patricia Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: on the marketing

In: Premiere v11 n1 September 1997  Page: 49
Title: Premiere's Ultimate Fall PreviewArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Part of a review of the Autumn 1997 film releases in the USA

In: Empire n101 November 1997  Page: 156
Title: Music soundtracks etc.Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A review of the soundtrack for A LIFE LESS ORDINARY (1997).

In: Empire n101 November 1997  Pages: 40-41
Title: new filmsAuthor: WESTBROOK, Caroline Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n101 November 1997  Pages: 80-84,86-90
Title: Caledonian supernovaAuthor: Nathan, IanArticle type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Ewan McGregor discusses his rapid rise to fame, and talks about his work with director Danny Boyle, particularly on A LIFE LESS ORDINARY (1997).

In: Empire n101 November 1997  Page: 90
Title: Three point turnAuthor: Nathan, IanArticle type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Danny Boyle, Andrew MacDonald and John Hodge are interviewed about A LIFE LESS ORDINARY and about how they have developed since SHALLOW GRAVE.

In: Premiere v11 n3 November 1997  Pages: 118-122,134
Title: Off kilterAuthor: BRODIE, John Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: About the production of the film with various statements by filmmakers and cast members on the film

In: Sight and Sound v7 n11 November 1997  Page: 47
Title: ReviewsAuthor: SPENCER, Liese Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Cinefantastique v29 n6/7 November 1997  Pages: 12-13
Title: A Life Less OrdinaryAuthor: JONES, Alan Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the set of A LIFE LESS ORDINARY

In: Film Ireland n62 Dec 97'/Jan'98  Page: 43
Title: [Film Ireland - n62 Dec 97'/Jan'98: no known title]Author: DUANE, Paul Article type: Short ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Reviews the published screenplay.

In: Film West n30 October 1997  Page: 61
Title: [Film West - n30 October 1997: no known title]Author: O'CONNOR, Derek Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: StarBurst n231 November 1997  Page: 57
Title: PreviewAuthor: JONES, Alan Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Premiere v5 n10 November 1997  Pages: 28-34, 36-41
Title: Candid Cameron/ Ordinary PeopleAuthor: GROBEL, Lawrence Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: career interview with Cameron Diaz, particularly on A LIFE LESS ORDINARY and interview with director Danny Boyle, scriptwriter John Hodge, producer Andrew MacDonald and actor Ewan McGregor

In: Premiere n246 September 1997  Pages: 98-99
Title: Rêve américainAuthor: BONDY, Jacques-André Article type: CreditsLanguage: French

In: Film Review November 1997  Pages: 52-54
Title: lust for lifeAuthor: JONES, Alan Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interviews with Ewan McGregor on A LIFE LESS ORDINARY

In: Televisual October 1997  Pages: 67-68
Title: A life less ordinaryAuthor: PISHIRIS, Christina Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: On the making of the animated two minute end-piece to A LIFE LESS ORDINARY. Mike Mort, director of GOGS and Levi's Clay- man advert, talks about his commission.

In: Screen International n1130 17 Oct 1997  Page: 37
Title: ReviewsAuthor: FARROW, Boyd Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Variety 13 Oct 1997  Page: 77,78
Title: Film reviewsAuthor: ELLEY, Derek Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Screen International n1123 29 Aug 1997  Page: 16,17
Title: Focus: European Autumn Preview: The PacemakersArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Preview of major European film releases during autumn 1997

In: Screen International n1077 27 Sep 1996  Page: 18
Title: International productionArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (3)
Title: Choose life: Ewan McGregor and the British film revival
Author: BROOKS, Xan  Pages: vii-x, 207p.

Title: life less ordinary
Author: HODGE, John  Pages: ix-xviii, 139p.

Title: life less ordinary


Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(5)
Digital materials(1)
Description: MKVDuration: 01:40:09 minutesFFV1 v3 - BFI identifier: N-4348276
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved digital file



Video materials(4)
Description: VHS cassetteBFI identifier: C-1389149
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status


Description: Digital BetacamBFI identifier: C-1511044
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape


Description: Video - BFI identifier: C-1385426
Status: Status pending - Material requires inspection to determine preservation or access status


Description: Digital BetacamDuration: 100.09 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALTX date: 2000-09-25BFI identifier: C-1106068
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved videotape