Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor are star-crossed lovebirds on the lam in this twisted romantic comedy from the creators of "Trainspotting." Celine (Diaz) is a spoiled, rich young woman whose worst nightmare is having her c... more »redit card rejected. Robert (McGregor) is a hapless janitor whose greatest dream is to write the Great American Trash Novel. They have nothing in common - except the burning desire to live "a life less ordinary." When Celine is kidnapped by the inept Robert, a pair of celestial cops are dispatched to earth to make sure they live that "life less ordinary" together. Co-starring Oscar® -winner Holly Hunter and Delroy Lindo.« less
Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 10/14/2022...
Any movie with Cameron Diaz has to be funny, just saying. This is a good one because they are totally opposites but want the same thing in life...a less ordinary one. Lots of silly stunts and laughs.
Sarah F. (Ferdy63) from DALTON, GA Reviewed on 4/15/2008...
Funny and different romantic comedy. The two stars are complete opposites who are brought together when he kidnaps her - or is it the other way around? The story also involves two angels who have to make the match work if they ever want to go back to Heaven. It's unique and a lot of fun.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Good like tea - black and sweet
ann_septimus16 | Colfax, WA | 06/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every time I read a bad review of this movie, one of the main complaints is that the angels are out of place, or not needed. Not so! Their presence explains why the two radically different main characters fall for each other. Without the angels, this story would be a trite, Showtime-style story of "kidnapped girl falls for cute kidnapper", but the celestial help allows the romance to fall into place so that the story can progress beyond that. You know that Robert and Celine have to fall for each other, the fun is in how the angels arrange the circumstances that put them in "the love situation".The humor in this movie is very black and/or subtle - you have to pay attention to the dialogue if you want to catch everything. It never becomes arch, though, and allows both characters, especially Robert (Ewan McGregor), to show their sweetness. One of the only problems was that in making Robert a 'good guy', the screenwriters kind of made him ineffectual - every character takes advantage him in some way. But McGregor conquers that obstacle and produces a great character, very much the star of the film. Watch for the grave scene. It is the ABSOLUTELY the funniest scene in a movie, ever. Also the ransom call scene. Both are driven by McGregor to great effect. (Why, Oh why, doesn't he do any books-on-tape? I could listen to that voice for hours!)I am not a fan of romantic comedies, mostly because of the unrealism that two perfect people find each other and fall in love. ALLO is different, though, because it explains *why* they HAVE to fall for each other instead of just giving us the situation and making us believe it. And to all those reviewers who don't understand the angels, go watch a Meg Ryan movie. WATCH THIS AND LOVE IT!!!!"
A Life Less Ordinary Would Be Boring
prisrob | New EnglandUSA | 09/10/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Robert: Right you asshole, I've got your daughter here, and I'm gonna send her back in pieces if... OH! I'm sorry, madam. No, I haven't got your daughter here; I've got someone else's. No, we're not married. Yes, I've read the same thing, it's very hard to find suitable young men these days. Well, I'm sure your daughter's very nice, in principle I've got no objection to meeting her... Celine hangs up the phone Robert: What is the problem?"
Robert, Ewen McGregor, has kidnapped Celine, Carmeron Diaz, for ransom, and he really doesn't have a plan. Celine has to prod him along and teach him how to ask for ransom. This is a cosmic entry into the movie of no ordinary man. During the long time awaiting the ransom Celine and Robert hit it off. Celine wants to leave her family and in particular her father, and this is her way out. However, she had not planned on falling for her kidnapper. Celine, takes action and she really is the strong and comedic part of this movie. Their adventures begin anew and some of them are side splittingly (sp) funny. How will they begin their new life? Where is the ransom money and how in Hell do they get rid of Holly Hunter, she just won't die !
There is a scene in the dentist's office that is laugh out loud funny. Your worse nightmare of what a visit to the dentist would be. A dentist with his head wrapped in gauze, the result of a terrible accident, who will fill a cavity without novacaine, becasue after all, "You'll probably pass out from pain anyway!"
And, Elvis Presley singing, "You Were Always On My Mind", is such a romantic touch as Celine and Robert meet. And then "If I Were Your Woman and You Were My Man" while they decide if they are really meant for each other. Absurd and irrational, yes, but then, the entire movie is one for the books! Recommended. prisrob"
Romantic Comedy With A Twist
J. M. Zuurbier | Canada | 01/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A LIFE LESS ORDINARY is definately an original movie. This is a completely original plot that is enriched by good actors. It stars Cameron Diaz, as the socialite Celine, and Ewan McGregor, who plays Robert, a custodian. Two angels are sent down to earth to help pair up these two unlikely people, and make them fall in love. Robert kidnaps Celine in an attempt to get back at her father, who got him fired and replaced him with a robot. At first they despise each other, but as the movie progresses she shows him how to be a success as a kidnapper, and he softens her attitude, and they eventually fall for each other. Hilarity ensues every time they seem to get off track and the angels make desperate attempts to put them back together, such as writing a poem, acting as killers. Overall it's a wonderful movie that is well acted and well scripted, definately a delight to see if you want something different or just enjoy good comedy with a twist."
The chemistry works
D. S. Gilbert | Cleveland, Georgia | 12/31/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I don't understand why the critics slammed this movie so hard. Granted, the framing plot with the two evil angels is really, really stupid. But I can ignore that because the give-and-take between Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz is so funny, so charming, so perfectly acted. They work so well together, with Diaz as the spoiled-brat rich girl and McGregor is a sweet guy so bumbling he doesn't even know how to commit a crime properly and Diaz has to teach him. And check out the song-and-dance number where McGregor turns into a Broadway showman! The soundtrack music is great, too, especially R.E.M.'s "Leave." When I rented this movie last summer, I loved it so much I watched it four times in three days. I finally got my own copy for Christmas, and now I can watch it as much as I want. I suggest you add it to your video collection, too, so you can pull it off the shelf whenever you want to watch a fun, romantic comedy."