Thirteen Conversations About One Thing Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of sad New Yorkers accidentally bump into each other while contemplating the meaning of happiness, which apparently involves bad decisions and insurance claims.

🍿 Thirteen Conversations About One Thing: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Intersecting Lives in New York City

The film intricately weaves together the lives of several individuals in New York City: Gene, an insurance actuary; Troy, a rising young lawyer; Walker, a physics professor; and Beatrice, a hardworking house cleaner. Each character grapples with their own personal struggles, questioning the nature of happiness and order in a seemingly unpredictable world. Their stories, though seemingly disparate, subtly intersect, highlighting the interconnectedness of human existence.

Gene’s Existential Crisis

Gene, portrayed as a cynical and embittered insurance manager, struggles with family problems and professional anxieties. He’s particularly irritated by the cheerful demeanor of one of his employees, leading him to make a rash decision that has far-reaching consequences. His journey explores themes of envy, guilt, and the potential for redemption.

Troy’s Moral Dilemma

Troy, a seemingly successful and confident attorney, experiences a life-altering event when he accidentally hits a pedestrian with his car. His decision to flee the scene triggers a profound moral crisis, forcing him to confront his values and the consequences of his actions. This event shakes his sense of self and professional identity, leading him down a path of self-reflection.

Walker’s Unraveling Marriage

Walker, a physics professor, is stuck in a loveless marriage and seeks solace in an affair. His choices lead to further complications and a growing sense of emptiness. His intellectual understanding of the universe contrasts sharply with his inability to navigate his own emotional landscape.

Beatrice’s Shattered Faith

Beatrice, a young and optimistic cleaning woman, experiences a traumatic event that shatters her long-held beliefs about fate and divine intervention. The accident causes her to question everything she once held dear, leading her to grapple with despair and the search for meaning in a seemingly chaotic world.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gene (Alan Arkin): An unhappy insurance claims manager whose bitterness leads him to sabotage a cheerful coworker’s job.
• Walker (John Turturro): A physics professor experiencing a midlife crisis who seeks fulfillment outside of his marriage.
• Troy (Matthew McConaughey): A rising young attorney whose life unravels after a hit-and-run incident.
• Patricia (Amy Irving): Walker’s wife, who confronts her husband’s infidelity and the breakdown of their marriage.
• Beatrice (Clea DuVall): An optimistic house cleaner whose faith in the world is shaken by a traumatic accident.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Richard ‘Dick’ Lacey: “I wish, I wish we could see into the future sometimes.” – Expresses a universal desire to know what lies ahead, highlighting the film’s theme of uncertainty.
• Richard ‘Dick’ Lacey: “That’s the problem, isn’t it?” – Acknowledges the central dilemma of the film – the difficulty of navigating life’s challenges without foresight.
• Richard ‘Dick’ Lacey: “I mean, life – it only makes sense when you look at it backwards.” – Captures the retrospective nature of understanding life’s meaning and connections.
• Richard ‘Dick’ Lacey: “Too bad we gotta live it forwards.” – Highlights the inherent challenge of living in the present while only understanding life in retrospect.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4.5M
• Domestic Gross: $3.2M
• Worldwide Gross: $3.7M

💥 Thirteen Conversations About One Thing Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘Thirteen Conversations’ to be a surprisingly moving film. It really made me think about how much we all struggle with finding happiness and meaning in our everyday lives. The scene where Alan Arkin’s character confronts his own bitterness really hit home. It’s not a feel-good movie, but it’s definitely worth watching if you’re in the mood for something introspective. I watched it twice. The way the stories intertwined at the end felt both random and strangely inevitable. I loved the film but it also made me feel empty.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy thought-provoking dramas”
  • “Those interested in stories about interconnectedness and human relationships”
  • “People who appreciate character-driven narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief scenes of drug use”
  • “Discussion of infidelity”
  • “A car accident”
  • “Mature themes and existential questioning”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Indiewire: “While the film itself might be a bit heavy on the existential dread, the performances, especially Alan Arkin’s, elevate the material. It’s a thought-provoking film that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting you to question your own pursuit of happiness.
• Variety: “The film has an amazing cast, with each actor delivering a nuanced performance. The movie’s greatest strength lies in its ability to capture the complexities of human emotion. While the overlapping stories can feel a bit disjointed, the overall message about the search for meaning resonates deeply.

Audience Reactions

Viewers appreciated the film’s honest portrayal of everyday struggles and the complex search for happiness.: The film’s exploration of human connection and the impact of chance encounters resonated deeply with audiences.

Overall Consensus: A thought-provoking and well-acted drama that explores the complexities of happiness and the interconnectedness of human lives.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s non-linear narrative structure, with interconnected stories unfolding out of sequence, mirrors the unpredictable and often chaotic nature of life that the characters grapple with.”
• “Director Jill Sprecher was partly inspired to write the story after she suffered a mugging and subsequent head injury. This personal experience influenced the themes of randomness and how unexpected events can alter lives.”
• “The Sprecher sisters, who co-wrote the screenplay, meticulously crafted the dialogue to feel natural and realistic, aiming to capture the way people truly converse and reflect on their lives.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Thirteen Conversations About One Thing,’ is intentionally ambiguous, inviting viewers to contemplate what that ‘one thing’ – potentially happiness, fate, or the human condition – truly is.”

🖥️ How to Watch Thirteen Conversations About One Thing?

Thirteen Conversations About One Thing is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Thirteen Conversations About One Thing, you might like these similar films:

• Crash (2004): Explores interconnected lives and complex social themes in a large city, examining how chance encounters can have profound and unexpected consequences.
• Magnolia (1999): Features multiple interwoven stories of seemingly unrelated characters grappling with personal struggles and seeking meaning in their lives.
• Short Cuts (1993): Presents a mosaic of interconnected stories in Los Angeles, exploring themes of human connection, isolation, and the complexities of modern life.
• Babel (2006): A multi-narrative drama where seemingly unrelated events across different countries become intertwined, exploring themes of communication, misunderstanding, and the interconnectedness of humanity.

🛒 Thirteen Conversations About One Thing Related Products

• 13 Conversations About One Thing [DVD]: Own the critically acclaimed indie drama on DVD, perfect for multiple viewings and insightful discussions.
• Existential Philosophy: An Introduction: Explore philosophical themes of meaning and happiness. Perfect for people inspired by the movie’s philosophical inquiry.
• New York Cityscape Art Print: A beautiful print capturing the essence of New York City, where the movie is set.

🎧 Soundtrack

Thirteen Conversations About One Thing features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Wohl denen die da Wandeln” – performed by Heinrich Schütz

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

🤨 FAQ

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