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One True Thing

1998·Movie
2h 7min·R
72
GoodGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

One True Thing fingerprint

Strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace4
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics10
  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Situational Comedy2
  • Dark Humor2

World

Family, everyday modern life, and the mind

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Love What You Have.

A career woman reassesses her parents' lives after she is forced to care for her cancer-stricken mother.
Family DramaMother-Daughter RelationshipTerminal IllnessSuburban LifeEmotional RealismStrong PerformancesMoral DilemmasIntimate Storytelling90s Film Aesthetic

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about One True Thing

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream One True Thing legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is One True Thing worth watching?

72
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73/100 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 86%, and Metacritic 63). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is One True Thing rated?

R

It's rated R in the United States.

How long is One True Thing?

2 h 7 min

One True Thing runs 2 h 7 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on One True Thing?

Critics75
Audiences73

Yes. Critics average 75 and audiences 73 out of 100, so both groups see One True Thing much the same way.

What language is One True Thing in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch One True Thing?

61AEARATAUBEBGBOBRBZCACHCLCOCR+47

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for One True Thing in 61 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does One True Thing use?

The '80sAdaptational SexualityAdaptation DistillationBig ApplesauceBig, Screwed-Up FamilyBroken PedestalCalling the Old Man OutChristmas EpisodeThe Film of the BookHalloween EpisodeThe RevealA Minor Kidroduction

TV Tropes lists 12 storytelling tropes for One True Thing, including The '80s, Adaptational Sexuality, Adaptation Distillation.