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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided

- Dual layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 107 minutes

- Subtitle: English

- Scene selection: Static menus

- Package: Keep case

Video Features:

- Anamorphic Widescreen

- 1.85:1 aspect ratio

Audio Features:

- English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround

- English: Dolby Surround

- French: Dolby Surround

Bonus Materials:

- Theatrical trailer

- Exclusive cast & crew interviews

- "American Pie" Madonna music video

Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:       03/03/00

DVD Release:              08/29/00

Review Date:               08/23/00

List price:                     $ 29.99

On-line price:               $ 20.99

Pre-order price was:    $ 16.99

Starring: Rupert Everett, Madonna, Benjamin Bratt,
    Michael Vartan, Josef Sommer, Malcolm Stumpf, 
    and Lynn Redgrave

Director: John Schlesinger

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Movie: B+        Video: A        Audio: B+        Extras: B

Summary: "The Next Best Thing" is a warm and funny story of how two best friends 
   can become parents and raise a child, even when one of them is gay.  As if their 
   story isn't complicated enough, she goes on a date and ends up falling in love.  
   Madonna and Rupert Everett stars in this funny and emotionally-charged drama 
   about an unusual family as they struggle with their complicated situation.  "The 
   Next Best Thing" was a pleasant surprise as it develops into an emotionally 
   gripping drama.  I recommend this movie to all fans of romance and drama.

The Story

Madonna and Rupert Everett star as Abbie and Robert, two best friends who share each other's triumphs and agonies of everyday life.  One day, Kevin (Michael Vartan), Abbie's live-in boyfriend, moves out and leaves their relationship.  During Abbie's time of self-pity and Robert's sorrow over the death of their mutual friend, Robert and Abbie comfort each other while celebrating Independence Day together.  The next morning, they wake up to realize that they had been intimate the night before.  What makes things complicated between them is that Robert is gay.

Of course, Abbie later discovers that she has become pregnant.  Realizing that the father of her child is Robert, she asks him about how much he wants to participate in their child's life.  Robert decides that he wants to be the father and the two begin to live together as parents.  Abbie and Robert become a family as Sam (Malcolm Stumpf) is born and they share parental responsibilities.

One day years later, a handsome Ben (Benjamin Bratt) asks Abbie out for a date.  She reluctantly agrees, only to fall in love with Ben.  It is then that the story gets really, really complicated and I'll leave the rest for you to enjoy.

Rupert Everett gave a wonderful performance throughout the entire film, both from comedic and dramatic standpoints.  Madonna was great, particularly in the more emotionally charged and dramatic scenes, demonstrating her growing talent as an actress.  Malcolm Stumpf demonstrates his acting talent playing the wonderful and adorable Sam.  And Lynn Redgrave was great in her role as Helen Whittaker, Robert's mother.  The plot develops wonderfully and the characters come across so lively, thanks to the wonderful directing talent of John Schleshinger. 

The Extras

There isn't a whole lot of bonus materials in this DVD, but they include a theatrical trailer, exclusive cast and crew interviews, and the "American Pie" Madonna music video.  Though the 14-minute cast and crew interview seems quite self-promotional at times, it's an interesting and entertaining look at the cast members and director as they explain how they were cast, how they felt about working with each other, the nature of the film, and their favorite scenes while making the movie.  Wishful thinking, but it would have been great to have included deleted scenes or an alternate ending, as the story seems so rich and full of possibilities.

Video & Audio

The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is first rate (partly because the bit rate is consistently in the 6-8 Mbits per second range).  The colors are accurate and vibrant, giving this movie a wonderful, lively feeling.  The Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound is balanced, with wonderful songs accentuating the mood of the movie.  Some of the songs were beautifully sung by the talented Madonna herself.

Recommendation

I was pleasantly surprised with the emotional depth and character development of "The Next Best Thing".  It is a wonderful combination of comedy, romance, and drama, and would appeal to many fans of these genres.  Fans of Rupert and Madonna will definitely want to add this title to their DVD library.

Buy "The Next Best Thing" DVD at:
 

Amazon.com

Express.com

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Rent it at NetFlix.com (Sign up for NetFlix.com "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service 
                                           for only $19.95 per month, click here for details)
 

Visit "The Next Best Thing" movie web site and the Paramount Home Video web site.

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