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Flirting with Disaster
 Flirting
with Disaster
--Writer-director David O. Russell follows up his dark independent comedy
SPANKING THE MONKEY with this hilarious romp about a man who goes on a quest to
find his biological parents. Mel Coplin (Ben Stiller), a new father, is
convinced that he won’t be able to give his son a name until he reunites with
his real mother and father. So Mel, his depressed, neglected wife, Nancy
(Patricia Arquette), and a sexy adoption consultant named Tina (Tea Leoni) set
out to find them. By the time they reach the New Mexico home of Mel's true
parents (Alan Alda and Lily Tomlin)--two laid-back hippie scientists who are in
the LSD business--Mel’s marriage appears to be completely demolished. But the
wackiness doesn't end there, since his neurotic, overbearing adoptive parents
(George Segal and Mary Tyler Moore) arrive just in time to add even greater
confusion to the mix.
Russell assembles a cast who have contributed greatly to the development of
American screen comedy, and they throw themselves into their roles with great
fervor. Commenting on identity, sexual and cultural prejudice, and the
convention of marriage, Russell’s script is a farcical laugh-fest that is at
once intelligent, fast-paced, and witty. His assured, grounded direction makes
FLIRTING WITH DISASTER’s humor all the more outrageous and hysterical.
Synopsis for Flirting with Disaster
--Trying to fill a void in his otherwise perfectly satisfying life, a young man
and his wife embark on a raucous cross-country journey to find his birth
parents. Accompanied by a seductive, overly attentive adoption counselor and
trailed by his jealous adoptive guardians, he finally meets up with his
free-spirited biological parents--and the fun really begins. Featuring standout
performances by an all-star cast--most notably Mary Tyler Moore and Lily
Tomlin--FLIRTING WITH DISASTER is a road trip unlike any other.
Title Note for Flirting with Disaster
--Released theatrically in the U.S. on March 22, 1996.
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