Storyline:24 hours in L.A.; it's raining cats and dogs. Two parallel and intercut stories dramatize men about to die: both are estranged from a grown child, both want to make contact, and neither child wants anything to do with dad. Earl Partridge's son is a charismatic misogynist; Jimmy Gator's daughter is a cokehead and waif. A mild and caring nurse intercedes for Earl, reaching the son; a prayerful and upright beat cop meets the daughter, is attracted to her, and leads her toward a new calm. Meanwhile, guilt consumes Earl's young wife, while two whiz kids, one grown and a loser and the other young and pressured, face their situations. The weather, too, is quirky.

Cast
Julianne Moore................................Linda Partridge
Michael Bowen..................................Rick Spector
Luis Guzman......................................Luis (as Luis Guzman)
William H. Macy...........................................Donnie Smith
Philip Seymour Hoffman.............................Phil Parma
William H. Macy..............................Donnie Smith
Philip Baker Hall..........................Jimmy Gator
John C. Reilly.............................................Officer Jim Kurring
Jason Robards...............................................Earl Partridge
April Grace...................................................Gwenovier
Ricky Jay.......................................................Burt Ramsey / Narrator
Philip Seymour Hoffman................Phil Parma
April Grace......................................Gwenovier
John C. Reilly................................Officer Jim Kurring
Melora Walters................................Claudia Wilson Gator
Tom Cruise........................................Frank T.J. Mackey
Jason Robards..................................Earl Partridge
Alfred Molina..................................Solomon Solomon
Alfred Molina...............................................Solomon Solomon
Melinda Dillon.............................................Rose Gator
Luis Guzman...................................................Luis (as Luis Guzman)
Ricky Jay..........................................Burt Ramsey / Narrator
Melinda Dillon................................Rose Gator
Jeremy Blackman...........................................Stanley Spector
Philip Baker Hall.......................................Jimmy Gator
Michael Bowen...............................................Rick Spector
Tom Cruise.....................................................Frank T.J. Mackey
Melora Walters.............................................Claudia Wilson Gator
Julianne Moore.............................................Linda Partridge
Jeremy Blackman..............................Stanley Spector

More Information:
Country: USA
Gross: $48,451,803 (Worldwide) (20 May 2000)
Budget: $37,000,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $193,604 (USA) (19 December 1999) (7 Screens)
Country: USA