Melinda and Melinda (2004) on Netflix
PG-1320041h 39mComedyDramaRomance
At dinner in Manhattan, Sy argues that life is comic or tragic and tells the story of Melinda Robicheaux, who appears unannounced at a friend's dinner party. Two versions follow.
- Netflix2.9/5
- IMDb6.4/1034,252 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes52%
Trailer
Plot summary
While dining in a Manhattan restaurant, Sy poses a question to his companions: is life comic or tragic? He and a fellow playwright, Max, then each tell a version of the same story, about a woman named Melinda Robicheaux. In the tragic telling, Melinda is a divorced friend of wealthy Laurel and struggling actor Lee who appears at their dinner party and stays with them after a psychiatric hospital stay; her ex-husband, a doctor, has custody of their two children. In the comic telling, Melinda is the downstairs neighbor of aspiring filmmaker Susan and under-employed actor Hobie, who is drawn to her although he is in a relationship with Susan. The two tellings alternate.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Melinda and Melinda (2004)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Woody Allen said he wanted Winona Ryder in the title role, but had to replace her with Radha Mitchell because no one would insure Ryder after her arrest for shoplifting, which made it impossible to obtain a film completion bond.
- Allen also said he had intended Will Ferrell's part for Robert Downey Jr., but insurance got in the way again, this time because of Downey's history of arrests and drug abuse.
