Director Brad Anderson's ("Next Stop, Wonderland") latest film, "Happy Accidents," is quite an oddity. It is best characterized as a sci-fi/romantic comedy. That might be an entirely new genre, but at the least it's an original and enchanting little movie.
Oscar winner Marisa Tomei (who went to the same high school as our own Bobby Tanzilo) stars as lovelorn Ruby Weaver. Ruby is your typical co-dependent, latching on to losers and hoping that she can change them. In the end she always dumps them.
Ruby and her friends have a box affectionately known as "The Ex-Files." They each place pictures of their past boyfriends in the box while trading stories about the men. Sound like yet another conventional romantic comedy? Enter Sam Deed (Vincent D'Onofrio).
Ruby and Sam meet one afternoon in a park. She is reading a book and he is working. They strike up an emotionally and intellectually stimulating conversation and immediately hit it off, but must part ways when Ruby has to go back to work.
One random day, Ruby leaves her apartment building to find Sam standing outside. She left her book in the park with a piece of mail inside. He wanted to see her again, so instead of calling her he decided to drop off the book himself.
Before you know it, they are madly in love with each other. His kindness, energy and gentleness overcome her. He is fun and exciting. Sam even moves in with her and it looks like happily ever after is in the cards.
Not so fast. This is where "Happy Accidents" strays off the beaten path. Because they have such a strong relationship, Ruby and Sam tell each other everything. In keeping with this credo, Sam confesses to Ruby that he is an alien from the year 2470.
There's a lot more to the story, but half of the fun stems from knowing as little as possible about it. "Happy Accidents" debuted at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival and has been quietly playing around the country ever since. A sci-fi/romantic comedy isn't an easy sell nowadays.
But don't let that keep you away. It is undeniably weird, but it's also infectious and sweet. Ruby and Sam are both completely sympathetic, well-developed characters. Tomei and D'Onofrio, though they make an unlikely pair, give superb performances and carry the movie through occasional slow spots.
A delightful supporting cast that includes a hilarious cameo by Anthony Michael Hall (playing himself) add to the many pleasures of "Happy Accidents." It's smart, funny and a genuinely feel-good movie that goes down easy and doesn't leave a bad aftertaste.
Grade: A-
"Happy Accidents" starts Fri., Oct. 5 at Landmark's Oriental Theatre.
