It Could Happen to You Based on a True Story
by Deepika V
Updated Feb 14, 2024
It Could Happen to You
It Could Happen to You is about a kind-hearted police officer named Charlie who promises to share his lottery winnings with a waitress named Yvonne after she serves him. When Charlie wins the jackpot, he keeps his promise and gives half of the money to Yvonne. His greedy wife, Muriel, leaves him for someone wealthier.
Yvonne, who was struggling financially, uses her share of the money to buy the diner where she works. While Charlie and Yvonne become famous for their generosity, Muriel's greed leads to their divorce. Muriel's pursuit of wealth eventually leaves her unhappy. Meanwhile, Charlie and Yvonne find love and support in each other
The movie is inspired by a true story where a detective named Robert shares his lottery winnings with a waitress named Phyllis. However, the movie adds fictional elements like romance and drama.
In real life, Robert and Phyllis remained friends and used the money differently than portrayed in the movie. Despite the fictionalized aspects, the movie remains grounded in the real-life theme of sharing unexpected wealth with others.
In the movie, a police officer named Charlie Lang doesn't have enough money to tip a waitress named Yvonne Biasi, so he offers to share his lottery ticket with her instead. When Charlie wins millions in the lottery, his girlfriend Muriel tries to convince him to break his promise to Yvonne and keep all the money for themselves.
Starring Nicolas Cage as Charlie Lang, Bridget Fonda as Yvonne Biasi, and Rosie Perez as Muriel Lang, the film explores the consequences of Charlie's decision and how it affects the lives of those involved. Directed by Andrew Bergman and Charles Crichton, with a screenplay by Jane Anderson, Andrew Bergman, and Stephen Metcalfe, the movie features a talented ensemble cast and touches on themes of generosity, greed, and the power of unexpected events to change lives.
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It Could Happen to You Based on a True Story
Yes, It Could Happen to You is based on a True Story. The film boasts an impressive cast featuring Nicolas Cage in the role of Charlie Lang, Bridget Fonda portraying Yvonne Biasi, and Rosie Perez as Muriel Lang. Other notable actors include Wendell Pierce as Bo Williams, Isaac Hayes as Angel Dupree, Seymour Cassel as Jack Gross, Stanley Tucci as Eddie Biasi, and Richard Jenkins as C. Vernon Hale. Red Buttons appears as Walter Zakuto, Victor Rojas as Jesu, and J.E. Freeman as Sal Bontempo.
Additionally, Charles Busch plays Timmy, Beatrice Winde appears as the Judge, Vincent Pastore as a Bowling Team Member, and Emily Deschanel as the Paint Throwing Fur Activist. Willie Colón portrays the Mayor, Frank Pellegrino appears as the Water's Edge Maitre D', Ann Dowd as Carol, and Lim Kay Tong as Sun.
This film credits include Caleb Deschanel as the cinematographer, responsible for the visual elements, and the director of photography. Carter Burwell is credited as the music composer, contributing to the film's musical score. Mike Lobell is listed as the producer, overseeing the production process. Jane Anderson is recognized as the writer, who crafted the screenplay for the movie.
It Could Happen to You Cast
Andrew Bergman is credited as the director, responsible for bringing the script to life on screen. Barry Malkin is credited as the editor, shaping the final cut of the film.
Nicolas Cage
Charlie Lang
Bridget Fonda
Yvonne Biasi
Rosie Perez
Muriel Lang
Wendell Pierce
Bo Williams
Isaac Hayes
Angel Dupree
Seymour Cassel
Jack Gross
Stanley Tucci
Eddie Biasi
Richard Jenkins
C. Vernon Hale
Red Buttons
Walter Zakuto
Victor Rojas
Jesu
J.E. Freeman
Sal Bontempo
Charles Busch
Timmy
Beatrice Winde
Judge
Vincent Pastore
Bowling Team Member
Emily Deschanel
Paint Throwing Fur Activist
Willie Colón
Mayor
Frank Pellegrino
Water's Edge Maitre D'
Ann Dowd
Carol
Lim Kay Tong
Sun
Cast
Character
It Could Happen to You Release Date
"It Could Happen to You" is an English movie that came out on July 29, 1994. "It Could Happen to You" is an English movie that came out on July 29, 1994. The film was directed by Andrew Bergman and stars Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda as the main characters.
The movie is loosely based on a true story from 1984 involving a waitress named Phyllis Penzo and a police officer named Robert Cunningham in Yonkers, New York. Cunningham suggested they split a lottery ticket as a tip, and when they won $6 million, he kept his promise and shared the prize with Penzo.
However, aside from this central idea, the film's characters and events are fictional and do not mirror the real lives of Penzo and Cunningham. Therefore, they didn't need to permit the movie, nor did they receive any royalties. The film's closing credits include a disclaimer stating that while inspired by true events, both Penzo and Cunningham were happily married during the movie's production.
It Could Happen to You Plot
In the movie, "It Could Happen to You," Charlie Lang is a kind and generous police officer who loves his job and has a good relationship with his neighborhood. His wife Muriel, on the other hand, is greedy and selfish. Yvonne Biasi, a waitress who is also kind-hearted, is struggling financially after her husband Eddie spends a large sum of money without her consent.
Charlie offers to split his potential lottery winnings with Yvonne instead of giving her a tip. When Charlie wins $4 million in the lottery, he keeps his promise to Yvonne despite Muriel's objections. Yvonne uses her share of the money to buy the diner where she works and helps those in need. Meanwhile, Muriel becomes more selfish and starts an affair with a wealthy man.
Charlie and Yvonne's friendship blossoms, leading to romantic feelings between them. However, complications arise when Muriel demands all the lottery money for herself in the divorce proceedings. Eventually, Charlie and Yvonne receive financial support from the community and use it to pay off their debts. Muriel's new husband turns out to be a con artist, leaving her with nothing.
In the end, Charlie returns to the police force, Yvonne reclaims the diner, and they get married, enjoying a hot-air balloon ride over Central Park for their honeymoon.
It Could Happen to You Based on a True story - FAQ
Yes, the movie was inspired by a true story involving a New York City police officer who shared his lottery winnings with a waitress.
The real-life counterparts were Officer Robert Cunningham and waitress Phyllis Penzo.
While the basic premise of splitting a lottery ticket was true, the movie's depiction of events and characters diverged significantly from reality.
No, they were not required to authorize the film, nor were they entitled to collect royalties from its proceeds.
The closing credits of the film include a disclaimer stating that while the film was inspired by actual events, the real-life individuals were happily married to their respective spouses at the time of production