Rumor Has It… Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman suspects her family inspired The Graduate and accidentally recreates it with potentially her dad, losing her nice fiance in the process.

🍿 Rumor Has It…: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Returning Home for a Wedding

Sarah Huttinger, a New York Times obituary writer, is engaged to Jeff Daly, a successful lawyer. While comfortable in their New York life, Sarah harbors doubts about her readiness for marriage. They travel to Pasadena, California, for her sister Annie’s wedding. Sarah feels like an outsider in her own family, who are obsessed with tennis, Pasadena culture, and football, making her feel like she doesn’t quite fit in.

Uncovering a Family Secret

During the wedding festivities, Sarah learns a shocking rumor: her family was the inspiration behind Charles Webb’s novel “The Graduate,” which was later adapted into the iconic film. Her grandmother, Katharine Richelieu, is rumored to be the real “Mrs. Robinson,” and her mother may have had an affair with Beau Burroughs, a wealthy businessman, before marrying Sarah’s father, Earl. This revelation throws Sarah’s life into turmoil as she begins to question her origins and her parents’ relationship.

The Search for Beau Burroughs

Driven by a desire to understand her past and find her place in the world, Sarah embarks on a journey to San Francisco to meet Beau Burroughs. She wants to discover if he could be her biological father and to uncover the truth about her mother’s happiness. Jeff supports her exploration, but their relationship is strained by Sarah’s obsession with Beau and her family’s past. Sarah’s search becomes a quest for identity and meaning, challenging everything she thought she knew about her life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sarah Huttinger (Jennifer Aniston): A commitment-phobic obituary writer who uncovers a family secret that leads her to question her origins and future.
• Jeff Daly (Mark Ruffalo): Sarah’s supportive but increasingly frustrated fiancé, a lawyer from New York.
• Katharine Richelieu (Shirley MacLaine): Sarah’s grandmother, a witty and somewhat scandalous woman who may have inspired the character of Mrs. Robinson.
• Beau Burroughs (Kevin Costner): A successful author and businessman who had affairs with both Sarah’s mother and grandmother, potentially being her biological father.
• Earl Huttinger (Richard Jenkins): Sarah’s kind but possibly not biological father, seemingly unaware of the secrets surrounding his family.
• Annie Huttinger (Mena Suvari): Sarah’s younger sister, whose wedding triggers Sarah’s journey of self-discovery.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Katharine: “Life is short, and marriage is long, so drink to make it go by faster.” – Said during a sarcastic toast at Annie’s wedding, showcasing Katharine’s cynical view of marriage.
• Sarah: “I didn’t come here to tell you that I can’t live without you. I can live without you. I just don’t want to.” – Sarah says this to Jeff in an effort to get him back after she slept with Beau.
• Beau Burroughs: “You’re a Huttinger woman, you’ll figure it out.” – Beau said this to Sarah as they were having a conversation on the lawn.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $43,000,262
• Worldwide Gross: $88,933,562

💥 Rumor Has It… Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Rumor Has It…’ because I love Jennifer Aniston, but honestly, it was a mixed bag. Shirley MacLaine was hilarious, but the whole storyline felt a little creepy. I was cringing when Jennifer’s character was with Kevin Costner. I felt bad for Mark Ruffalo. He’s such a great actor, and he was stuck playing the nice guy. I’d only watch it if you are really bored and want some light-hearted humor.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jennifer Aniston”
  • “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted romantic comedies”
  • “People interested in stories inspired by classic films”
  • “Audiences who like movies set in California”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Implied sexual content”
  • “Infidelity themes”
  • “Suggestive dialogue”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a talented cast, ‘Rumor Has It…’ fails to capitalize on its intriguing premise, delivering a lackluster dramedy that lacks both humor and emotional depth. The characters are bland, and the jokes fall flat, making it a forgettable experience.
• IMDB User: “The film benefits from Shirley MacLaine’s performance, bringing wit and energy to the movie. However, Jennifer Aniston’s performance falls short and the script is ultimately weak. The plot is predictable, and the characters fail to connect with the audience.
• AllMovie: “A misfire for director Rob Reiner, ‘Rumor Has It…’ wastes its potential with a contrived plot and uninspired direction. While Shirley MacLaine shines, the film ultimately lacks the charm and sophistication needed to elevate it beyond a mediocre romantic comedy.

Audience Reactions

Shirley MacLaine steals the show with her sassy and humorous portrayal of the grandmother.: Many viewers enjoyed Shirley MacLaine’s performance and her witty lines. The family dynamics also added depth to the film.

The movie offers a light-hearted and entertaining escape, perfect for a casual viewing experience.: Several viewers found it to be an enjoyable chick-flick with a good cast, though not a cinematic masterpiece.

Overall Consensus: ‘Rumor Has It…’ is a flawed romantic comedy, uplifted by Shirley MacLaine’s performance but brought down by a predictable plot and questionable chemistry between the leads.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Early in pre-production, Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft were considered for Beau Burroughs and Katherine Richelieu, but Bancroft’s death and Hoffman’s commitments led to Kevin Costner and Shirley MacLaine being cast.”
• “Ted Griffin was originally slated to direct the film, but was replaced by Rob Reiner early in production due to creative differences.”
• “The film makes several references to ‘The Graduate,’ including a scene filmed in the same church where the wedding in the original film took place.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rumor Has It…?

As of October 2024, “Rumor Has It…” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing. You may also be able to find it through cable on-demand services.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rumor Has It…, you might like these similar films:

• The Graduate (1967): The film directly references and draws inspiration from ‘The Graduate,’ exploring similar themes of generational disconnect and unconventional relationships.
• Something’s Gotta Give (2003): Features a similar May-December romance and comedic exploration of relationships, with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson in the lead roles.
• In Her Shoes (2005): In Her Shoes showcases Shirley MacLaine as the grandmother.
• The Upside of Anger (2005): Features a similar role for Kevin Costner, with a romantic affair with a younger women.

🛒 Rumor Has It… Related Products

• The Graduate (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Experience the groundbreaking classic that inspired ‘Rumor Has It…’ with this beautifully restored Criterion Collection Blu-ray. Features insightful commentaries and behind-the-scenes content.
• Jennifer Aniston: Hollywood’s Sweetheart Biography: Explore the life and career of Jennifer Aniston, the star of ‘Rumor Has It…’. This biography offers a comprehensive look at her journey from ‘Friends’ to her success in Hollywood.
• Pasadena California Throw Pillow Cover: This decorative pillow cover features iconic Pasadena landmarks, celebrating the city where much of ‘Rumor Has It…’ takes place.
• Kevin Costner Movie Collection (DVD): This collection features some of Kevin Costner’s most iconic roles, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rumor Has It… features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from ‘A Summer Place'” – performed by Max Steiner
• “Mrs. Robinson” – performed by The Lemonheads
• “Winter” – performed by Tori Amos

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rumor Has It

This fan-made music video for ‘Rumor Has It’ is so well done! The song choice perfectly complements the movie’s themes, and it’s a great way to relive some of the best moments. Definitely worth a watch if you’re a fan of Jennifer Aniston or Kevin Costner!

Rumor Has It

Ever wondered about Mike Vogel’s role in ‘Rumor Has It’? This video is a great little tribute that highlights his performance and gives you a closer look at his character. I totally forgot he was in this!

Rumor Has It

The scene where Sarah and Jeff talk at his apartment is such a pivotal moment in ‘Rumor Has It’. This fan-made video focuses on that conversation and I think it captures the tension and underlying emotions perfectly. Give it a watch and see if you agree!

✨ Rate