🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Norman Jewison
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Release year: 1994
- Runtime (length): 1h 49min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (27K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 53%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Girl ditches her sensible podiatrist fiancé to chase a name across Italy, ends up with a shoe salesman who’s also a pathological liar… love!
🍿 Only You: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Ouija Board and a Name
As a young girl, Faith Corvatch is convinced by a Ouija board and a fortune teller that she is destined to marry someone named Damon Bradley. This belief shapes her life, influencing her decisions and expectations for her future romantic relationships. The film sets up the premise that Faith’s life is dictated by this ‘destiny’.

Wedding Plans Disrupted
Years later, Faith is engaged to Dwayne, a predictable podiatrist, but still holds onto her childhood belief. Just before the wedding, a phone call from someone named Damon Bradley, an old friend of Dwayne’s, sends her into a frenzy. She impulsively decides to chase after this Damon Bradley to Italy, leaving her fiancé behind.

Chasing a Phantom in Italy
Faith, accompanied by her sister-in-law Kate, embarks on a chaotic journey through Italy, following leads and narrowly missing the elusive Damon Bradley. Their travels take them from Venice to Rome and Positano, encountering various comical situations and charming Italian scenery. Kate experiences her own romantic entanglements along the way.

Meeting Peter, the False Damon
In Rome, Faith meets Peter Wright, an American shoe salesman. To impress her, Peter initially pretends to be Damon Bradley. They quickly fall for each other during a whirlwind romance, but the lie is eventually revealed, causing Faith to feel betrayed and question her pursuit of destiny. The tension between fate and free will is highlighted.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Faith Corvatch (Marisa Tomei): A schoolteacher who impulsively chases after a man named Damon Bradley in Italy, believing him to be her destiny.
- Peter Wright (Robert Downey Jr.): A charming shoe salesman who pretends to be Damon Bradley to win Faith’s affection, ultimately falling in love with her.
- Kate (Bonnie Hunt): Faith’s supportive and pragmatic sister-in-law who accompanies her on the Italian adventure while dealing with her own marital issues.
- Larry (Fisher Stevens): Kate’s unappreciative husband who follows her to Italy to win her back, revealing a secret about Faith’s past.
- Dwayne (John Benjamin Hickey): Faith’s dull and stable fiancé whom she leaves at the altar to pursue the man she believes is her destiny.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Peter: “I may not have the right name, but I was there. I’m the guy.” – Peter declares his feelings for Faith, explaining that he is the right person for her even if he doesn’t have the name she expects.
- Peter: “When I looked in her eyes I saw something… light. And life and passion and yearning.” – Peter passionately describes to Kate what he felt when he first saw Faith, emphasizing their destined connection.
- Faith: “You make your own destiny–don’t wait for it to come to you.” – The fortune teller tells young Faith this important message.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $16,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $20,059,210
- Worldwide Gross: $20,059,210
💥 Only You Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely adore ‘Only You’! From the moment Faith decides to hop on that plane to Italy, I was hooked. The whole concept of chasing destiny is so romantic, and Marisa Tomei makes you believe in it. And Robert Downey Jr.? He’s charming and funny, and I was rooting for him from the second he showed up with that shoe! The Italian scenery is gorgeous, and it just makes you want to find your own soulmate in Rome. Sure, it’s cheesy, but it’s the perfect feel-good movie for a cozy night in.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of classic romantic comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy travel and Italian scenery”
- “Those seeking lighthearted and feel-good movies”
- “Fans of Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Some suggestive humor”
- “Brief depiction of infidelity”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “”Only You” is a charming rom-com with beautiful Italian scenery and a fun, if somewhat predictable, plot. Tomei and Downey Jr. have good chemistry, making their characters believable and engaging. Though it relies on familiar tropes, the movie provides a lighthearted and enjoyable escape.
- Metacritic: “Some find the film delightful, while others see it as cliché-ridden and predictable. The chemistry between Tomei and Downey Jr. is often cited as a highlight, though the film’s reliance on stereotypes and implausible situations can be a drawback for some viewers. Overall, it’s a matter of personal taste.
Audience Reactions
The Italian scenery is breathtaking and adds to the romantic atmosphere of the movie.: Viewers love the charming performances of Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. and their undeniable chemistry.
Bonnie Hunt’s comedic timing and portrayal of the supportive best friend provide many of the film’s best laughs.: Many appreciate the film’s lighthearted and escapist nature, perfect for a cozy night in.
Overall Consensus: ‘Only You’ is a lighthearted romantic comedy that’s considered by many to be a charming but somewhat predictable escape with good chemistry between the leads and beautiful Italian scenery.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “This was Robert Downey Jr.’s largest paycheck up to this point in his career, earning him over $2 million.”
- “The movie was filmed on location in several picturesque Italian cities, including Venice, Rome, and Positano, adding to its romantic ambiance.”
🖥️ How to Watch Only You?
Only You is available to rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Only You, you might like these similar films:
- Roman Holiday (1953): Both films feature an American woman having a romantic adventure in Italy.
- While You Were Sleeping (1995): Shares the theme of mistaken identity leading to unexpected love.
- French Kiss (1995): An American woman travels to France in pursuit of her fiancé and finds love in an unexpected place.
- Avanti! (1972): Another Norman Jewison film set in Italy. An American man travels to Italy to claim the body of his father and unexpectedly finds love.
🛒 Only You Related Products
- Only You [Blu-ray]: Experience the romance in stunning high-definition. This Blu-ray edition brings the vibrant Italian scenery to life with enhanced picture and sound quality, perfect for reliving the magic of ‘Only You’.
- Italy: The Amalfi Coast (Scenic Wall Art): Bring the breathtaking views of Positano, as seen in ‘Only You’, into your home with a high-quality canvas print. Capture the stunning coastal scenery and add a touch of Italian romance to any room.
- The Roman Holiday Collection: A curated collection of Italian-themed items, including vintage postcards, miniature Vespa models, and artisan-crafted leather goods, inspired by the romantic Italian setting of the movie.
- Rome: Total War – Gold Edition: Immerse yourself in ancient Roman history with this classic strategy game. Build your empire, command legions, and conquer Europe in this critically acclaimed title, offering hours of strategic gameplay.
🎧 Soundtrack
Only You features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, Only You is a work of fiction. The story is based on the concept of destiny and finding love, but it is not based on real events.
Only You was filmed in various locations in Italy, including Venice, Rome, and Positano. Some scenes were also shot in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The film explores the themes of destiny versus free will, and whether love is predetermined or a matter of choice. It suggests that while believing in fate can be comforting, true happiness comes from making your own decisions and embracing genuine connections.
🔥 Bonus Content
Only God Forgives EXPLAINED – Movie Review (SPOILERS)
Ever been totally baffled by ‘Only God Forgives’? Chris Stuckmann breaks it all down in this video! I still don’t know if I *liked* it, but I definitely understand it better after watching this.
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