A Hollywood misfire that became a box-office bomb despite a chart-topping musical hit
In short: Released in 2000, this comedy-drama starring Madonna and Rupert Everett struggled to find its footing with critics and audiences alike. While the film faltered as a commercial and critical disappointment, its soundtrack found unexpected success, proving that a lackluster cinematic experience can still produce a memorable musical legacy.
Directed by John Schlesinger, The Next Best Thing follows the unconventional journey of two best friends—a heterosexual woman and a gay man—who decide to co-parent a child after a one-night stand. The narrative, which begins as a lighthearted exploration of modern family dynamics in Los Angeles, eventually shifts into a heavy legal drama involving custody battles and biological revelations. Despite the involvement of high-profile stars like Madonna and Rupert Everett, the project faced significant production hurdles, including multiple casting changes and extensive script revisions by Ryan Murphy and Everett himself.
Upon its release in March 2000, the film was met with harsh reviews. Critics frequently compared it unfavorably to other domestic dramas, with some describing the plot as disjointed and the emotional tone as inconsistent. On platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a low approval rating, while Metacritic assigned it a score of 25 out of 100. Even Roger Ebert dismissed the production, characterizing the screenplay as a collection of tired tropes rather than a cohesive narrative. The film struggled to gain traction in theaters, failing to recoup its $25 million production budget.
However, the project's reception was not entirely negative. While the film itself was labeled a failure by many, the accompanying soundtrack earned praise from music critics. The lead single, a cover of American Pie, became a major success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom. This achievement allowed Madonna to extend her record for the most number-one hits by a female artist in that region. Ultimately, the film serves as a curious case study in how a production can simultaneously be a commercial disaster and a musical triumph.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Next Best Thing
- Also: Wikidata — The Next Best Thing · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — The Next Best Thing – Music from the Motion Picture · CC0
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