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The Next Best Thing Details

2000 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 1419 members

When best friends Abbie (Madonna - EVITA) and Robert (Everett - MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING)--who happens to be gay--engage in an unexpected tryst, they write it off as the result of clouded judgment from too many drinks. However, when Abbie discovers she's pregnant, the two decide to move in together and form a loving, if .. Read more

Starring Madonna, Rupert Everett, Michael Vartan, Illeana Douglas
Director John Schlesinger
Genres Drama

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The Next Best Thing

When best friends Abbie (Madonna - EVITA) and Robert (Everett - MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING)--who happens to be gay--engage in an unexpected tryst, they write it off as the result of clouded judgment from too many drinks. However, when Abbie discovers she's pregnant, the two decide to move in together and form a loving, if unconventional, family. Everett sparkles and Madonna oozes her usual cool in this drama/comedy from the director of MIDNIGHT COWBOY.

Starring Madonna, Rupert Everett, Michael Vartan, Illeana Douglas, Lynn Redgrave, Stacy Edwards, Benjamin Bratt, Josef Sommer, Neil Patrick Harris, Linda Larkin, Malcolm Stumpf, Mark Valley
Director John Schlesinger
Studio HOLLYWOOD PICTURES HOME VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 43 mins
Certificate Certificate 12
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Hearing-impaired English
Subtitles DVD: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Released DVD: 01 Aug 2005
Production year: 2000
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (5) of The Next Best Thing

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    After the atypical blip that was Evita, Madonna was back in bad-movie mode with this humdrum comedy drama. The material girl plays an LA yoga instructor whose life takes a dramatic turn when she sleeps with her gay best friend (Rupert Everett) and ends up pregnant. The couple set up house together for the good of their son, but problems arise when she falls for hunky Benjamin Bratt and Everett sues for custody. Veteran British director John Schlesinger handles his stars with kid gloves, and both deliver self-conscious performances that feel false and hollow throughout.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • A movie that may appeal to fans of Madonna, but otherwise does little to add to the gaiety of nations, with its awkaward drama that resorts to court scenes in the hope of adding a little excitement to a bland, romantic serio-comedy.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Next Best Thing

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Well Worth Seeing

    I wasn't expecting this film to be as good as it is. Sure, Madonna is not the world's greatest actor, and in a way, her stardom detracts from any role she is likely to play, but she *looks* absolutely right for this part.

    Rupert Everet is just wonderful as the gay best friend who has a one-night drunken fling and ends up being a father to their child. The film looks beautiful and tackles some very pertinent issues about parenthood and the rights of gay men. I enjoyed every minute of this film, and recommend it as a gay-theme movie, or just mainstream great entertainment.

      • A customer from Salisbury, England
      • Posted 12 May 2004 14:37

  • Most recent members' review of The Next Best Thing

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  • 0 out of 4 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    BLOODY FANTASTIC

    GREAT ACTING, GREAT STORY, AND GREAT CAST!!!!

    BEST MADONNA FILM YET (except for Desperatly Seeking Susan)

      • Tony Cobb from Exeter
      • Posted 24 Sep 2005 13:59

  • News and features

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    The Next Best Thing

    Madonna quits film industry

    • 15 Aug 2006

    Movie fans rejoice: Madonna has said that she has quit the film industry. Although she is undoubtedly one of the most talented and inspirational singers of this century, and the last, the same cannot be said of her acting efforts. "I hate to admit it, but I've decided to give [films] up," she said. But she refused to admit that her wooden acting performances could have something to do with her movies' failures, which have included the phenomenal flops The Next Best Thing and Swept... Read more

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Rating breakdown

1,419 Member ratings
  • 100
74
  • 90
55
  • 80
109
  • 70
149
  • 60
255
  • 50
208
  • 40
199
  • 30
145
  • 20
152
  • 10
73

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      • When best friends Abbie (Madonna - EVITA) and Robert (Everett - MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING)--who happens to be gay--engage in an unexpected tryst, they write it off as the result of clouded judgment ...