History Film / ALifeLessOrdinary

'''Jackson''': I can't do that. We're playing blackjack, she might cheat while I'm out of the room.\\

* MostWritersAreWriters: Robert. Unlike most examples, he freely admits his book is cheap trash and has no delusions about his talents or aspirations.

* DaChief: Gabriel. Yes, ''that'' Gabriel.

* {{Adorkable}}: Robert at times. Most notable in his attempt to make a ransom call.

A [[TheNineties 1997]] [[RomanticComedy rom-com]] that takes place in a world with [[BlueAndOrangeMorality very strange rules of morality]]: True Love reigns supreme and divine [[SlidingScaleofFreeWillvsFate Fate]] is in danger of succumbing to human chaos, and very little else matters, morally speaking.

-->'''Todd:''' 'What do you think I am? Some sort of backwoods lunatic with a barn full of human skull and a scythe that I sharpen every night in preparation for armaggeddon?' ''

EwanMcGregor plays the down-on-his luck Robert, who impulsively decides to give a piece of his mind to his former boss after he loses his job, his girlfriend, and even his house, the last due to meddling angels Jackson (Delroy Lindo) and O'Reilly (Holly Hunter). When Robert storms into Mr Naville's office, however, things take an rather unexpected turn, and he ends up taking Naville's daughter Celine (CameronDiaz) along with him at gunpoint.

* [[spoiler: FakedKidnapping]]: Turns into this.

* ChewingTheScenery: Holly Hunter. The entire cast takes their turn at it, really, but...Holly Hunter.

* SympatheticCriminal: Robert is perhaps the most sympathetic character in the film--and even though YMMV on that, he ''is'' certainly one of the protagonists. He's also the one who kidnapped the girl [[spoiler: who helped him escape]] at gunpoint and then [[spoiler: leaves her tied to a chair]] overnight.

* AbductionIsLove: the main premise of the story.
* Adorkable: Robert at times. Most notable in his attempt to make a ransom call.

* CelestialBureaucracy: and how.

* [[spoiler: FakedKidnapping]]: turns into this.

* LoveLetterLunacy: immediately precedes [[spoiler: the angels']] FaceHeelTurn.
* MountainMan: the incredibly bizarre Todd Johnson.

* UndercoverAsLovers: Celine explains their secrecy to Mr Johnson by telling him that Robert is a world-famous singer and they're on their honeymoon, trying to stay out of the prying eye of the paparazzi.

* HeyItsThatGuy: Stanley Tucci as sleazy dentist Elliot Zweikel.

* SympatheticCriminal: Robert is perhaps the most sympathetic character in the film--and he ''is'' certainly one of the protagonists. He's also the one who kidnapped the girl [[spoiler: who helped him escape]] at gunpoint and then [[spoiler: leaves her tied to a chair]] overnight.

* SympatheticCriminal: Robert is perhaps the most sympathetic character in the film--and though [[YourMileageMayVary YMMV]], he ''is'' certainly one of the protagonists. He's also the one who kidnapped the girl [[spoiler: who helped him escape]] at gunpoint and then [[spoiler: leaves her tied to a chair]] overnight.

* SympatheticCriminal: Robert is perhaps the most sympathetic character in the film. He's also the one who kidnapped the girl [[spoiler: who helped him escape]] at gunpoint and then [[spoiler: leaves her tied to a chair]] overnight.

* LoveLetterLunacy: immediately proceeds [[spoiler: the angels']] FaceHeelTurn.

* OutlawCouple: Robert and Celine, eventually.

* LoveLetterLunacy: immediately proceeds the angels' FaceHeelTurn.

* TheWoobie: Robert. Of particular note is the scene where he is sobbing [[spoiler: while digging his own grave]].