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The Next Best Thing
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The Next Best Thing
The Next Best Thing is a 2000 American comedy drama film directed by John Schlesinger and starring Madonna, Rupert Everett and Benjamin Bratt. It follows a woman who has a one-night stand with her gay best friend, which results in her giving birth to a son that the two attempt to co-parent over the ensuing years amidst a custody battle. It features supporting performances from Michael Vartan, Josef Sommer, Lynn Redgrave, Neil Patrick Harris, and Illeana Douglas. It was Schlesinger's final feature film before his death in 2003.
The Next Best Thing was released by Paramount Pictures on March 3, 2000. The film was a box-office bomb as it grossed $24.3 million against a $25 million budget and received overwhelmingly negative reviews from film critics, with the screenplay and performances receiving criticism. The accompanying soundtrack album was appreciated by music critics. Its lead single, "American Pie", topped the charts in various countries, including Everett's native United Kingdom, where Madonna extended her record as the female artist with most number-one songs in the country.
Abbie, a heterosexual woman, and Robert, a gay man, are best friends living in California. In 1992, when Abbie is dumped by her boyfriend Kevin, she and Robert get drunk and have a one-night stand. Abbie discovers she is pregnant shortly thereafter. Abbie tells Robert, and asks him if he wants to be the baby's father. Robert is adamant about being the father in all its responsibilities.
Five years later, Robert and Abbie have moved in together following their son Sam's birth. They sleep in separate bedrooms, and build a happy life together as Sam's parents. They struggle over how much to reveal to Sam about the nature of their relationship beyond simply being his mother and father, including how to tell Sam that Robert is gay.
Abbie and Robert both struggle with being single, with Robert finding his priority is Sam's well-being. Robert encourages Abbie to date, and she meets Ben, a successful accountant. Eventually, Ben proposes to Abbie and she accepts. Robert is apprehensive, worrying that Ben will replace him as Sam's father, but the three learn to function as a happy family. Things come to a crossroads, however, when Ben receives an important work promotion, but would need to move to New York. Abbie wants to move with Ben, but is worried about how it will affect the parental arrangement with Robert and Sam. Robert is furious, despite Abbie and Ben's attempts to figure out a solution with him.
Following an argument, Robert returns home to find that Abbie and Sam have moved out of their home to stay with Ben. Robert explores his legal options, filing for joint custody, prompting Abbie to admit to him that she learned 3 years ago from a blood test that Sam cannot be Robert's biological son due to them both being O- and Sam being B+: she had a one-night stand with Kevin following their breakup and Kevin is the only possible biological father. Robert is livid that she kept this from him. Abbie insists that, despite knowing Kevin could have been the father, she wanted Robert to be the father. But, she threatens that if Robert takes her to court, she will reveal the truth to keep Sam with her and defend her life with Ben.
Knowing the odds are against him, especially as a gay man, Robert seeks joint custody. During the court proceedings, Abbie's lawyer attempts to cast Robert as a drug abuser and sexual deviant, which Abbie abhors, but allows. Despite his defense of his character, and insistence on his presence in Sam's life for the past 6 years as his father, the court merely refers to him as a "caregiver" and allows him a single visitation in the meantime. Desperate, Robert reaches out to Kevin, informing him that he is the real biological father, in hopes that Kevin will seek custody and allow Robert to stay in Sam's life. Kevin is reluctant, but surprises everyone involved when he arrives with his lawyer seeking custody so he can see if he wants to be a father to Sam, with no desire to involve Robert in Sam's life. The judge rules that the case be suspended for four months to allow a custodial investigation, during which time, Abbie will have sole custody but will not be allowed to leave the city with Sam. Abbie is furious that Robert contacted Kevin and how it will affect Sam. Robert is remorseful.
Robert goes to Sam's school to see him, but finds Ben there waiting while Abbie is inside with Sam. Ben tries to reconcile with Robert, revealing that he left the company, and therefore does not need to move to New York anymore. Abbie is still angry and refuses to let Sam go to Robert. As they drive away, Abbie sees how despondent Sam is and stops the car. She approaches Robert and apologizes for her part in the situation, and the two admit that they miss each other. She lets Sam go to Robert and tells them to come back after dinner, hinting at the potential for harmony again as a family.
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The Next Best Thing
The Next Best Thing is a 2000 American comedy drama film directed by John Schlesinger and starring Madonna, Rupert Everett and Benjamin Bratt. It follows a woman who has a one-night stand with her gay best friend, which results in her giving birth to a son that the two attempt to co-parent over the ensuing years amidst a custody battle. It features supporting performances from Michael Vartan, Josef Sommer, Lynn Redgrave, Neil Patrick Harris, and Illeana Douglas. It was Schlesinger's final feature film before his death in 2003.
The Next Best Thing was released by Paramount Pictures on March 3, 2000. The film was a box-office bomb as it grossed $24.3 million against a $25 million budget and received overwhelmingly negative reviews from film critics, with the screenplay and performances receiving criticism. The accompanying soundtrack album was appreciated by music critics. Its lead single, "American Pie", topped the charts in various countries, including Everett's native United Kingdom, where Madonna extended her record as the female artist with most number-one songs in the country.
Abbie, a heterosexual woman, and Robert, a gay man, are best friends living in California. In 1992, when Abbie is dumped by her boyfriend Kevin, she and Robert get drunk and have a one-night stand. Abbie discovers she is pregnant shortly thereafter. Abbie tells Robert, and asks him if he wants to be the baby's father. Robert is adamant about being the father in all its responsibilities.
Five years later, Robert and Abbie have moved in together following their son Sam's birth. They sleep in separate bedrooms, and build a happy life together as Sam's parents. They struggle over how much to reveal to Sam about the nature of their relationship beyond simply being his mother and father, including how to tell Sam that Robert is gay.
Abbie and Robert both struggle with being single, with Robert finding his priority is Sam's well-being. Robert encourages Abbie to date, and she meets Ben, a successful accountant. Eventually, Ben proposes to Abbie and she accepts. Robert is apprehensive, worrying that Ben will replace him as Sam's father, but the three learn to function as a happy family. Things come to a crossroads, however, when Ben receives an important work promotion, but would need to move to New York. Abbie wants to move with Ben, but is worried about how it will affect the parental arrangement with Robert and Sam. Robert is furious, despite Abbie and Ben's attempts to figure out a solution with him.
Following an argument, Robert returns home to find that Abbie and Sam have moved out of their home to stay with Ben. Robert explores his legal options, filing for joint custody, prompting Abbie to admit to him that she learned 3 years ago from a blood test that Sam cannot be Robert's biological son due to them both being O- and Sam being B+: she had a one-night stand with Kevin following their breakup and Kevin is the only possible biological father. Robert is livid that she kept this from him. Abbie insists that, despite knowing Kevin could have been the father, she wanted Robert to be the father. But, she threatens that if Robert takes her to court, she will reveal the truth to keep Sam with her and defend her life with Ben.
Knowing the odds are against him, especially as a gay man, Robert seeks joint custody. During the court proceedings, Abbie's lawyer attempts to cast Robert as a drug abuser and sexual deviant, which Abbie abhors, but allows. Despite his defense of his character, and insistence on his presence in Sam's life for the past 6 years as his father, the court merely refers to him as a "caregiver" and allows him a single visitation in the meantime. Desperate, Robert reaches out to Kevin, informing him that he is the real biological father, in hopes that Kevin will seek custody and allow Robert to stay in Sam's life. Kevin is reluctant, but surprises everyone involved when he arrives with his lawyer seeking custody so he can see if he wants to be a father to Sam, with no desire to involve Robert in Sam's life. The judge rules that the case be suspended for four months to allow a custodial investigation, during which time, Abbie will have sole custody but will not be allowed to leave the city with Sam. Abbie is furious that Robert contacted Kevin and how it will affect Sam. Robert is remorseful.
Robert goes to Sam's school to see him, but finds Ben there waiting while Abbie is inside with Sam. Ben tries to reconcile with Robert, revealing that he left the company, and therefore does not need to move to New York anymore. Abbie is still angry and refuses to let Sam go to Robert. As they drive away, Abbie sees how despondent Sam is and stops the car. She approaches Robert and apologizes for her part in the situation, and the two admit that they miss each other. She lets Sam go to Robert and tells them to come back after dinner, hinting at the potential for harmony again as a family.