A Smile Like Yours
A Smile Like Yours is a 1997 American romantic comedy film directed by Keith Samples and starring Greg Kinnear and Lauren Holly as a married couple grappling with infertility and the strains it places on their relationship.[1][2] The story centers on Danny Robertson, an elevator engineer hesitant about parenthood, and his wife Jennifer, a perfume designer eager to start a family, as they undergo fertility treatments and confront personal temptations that test their bond.[1][2] Released theatrically on August 22, 1997, by Paramount Pictures, the film runs 98 minutes and earned approximately $3.3 million at the North American box office.[1][2] The supporting cast includes Joan Cusack as Danny's free-spirited coworker, Jill Hennessy as a fertility clinic doctor, and Shirley MacLaine as Jennifer's mother, adding layers of humor and drama to the couple's journey.[2] Produced by Rysher Entertainment, the screenplay was written by Samples and Kevin Meyer, drawing from themes of marital intimacy and modern family pressures.[2] The film's title track, "A Smile Like Yours," is a ballad written by Diane Warren and performed by Natalie Cole, released as a single in 1997 to accompany the movie.[3] Critically, A Smile Like Yours received mixed to negative reviews, holding a 6% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 34 critic scores, with detractors citing uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters despite the leads' chemistry.[1] Audiences gave it a 4.8 out of 10 on IMDb from over 1,500 ratings, appreciating its lighthearted take on a sensitive subject but noting its comedic shortcomings.[2] The film is available on streaming platforms like Netflix as of 2025.[4]Production
Development
The screenplay for A Smile Like Yours was written by Keith Samples and Kevin Meyer.[5] Keith Samples directed the film in his feature directorial debut, transitioning from his background in television syndication sales and producing credits on films such as Big Night (1996) and Two Days in the Valley (1996).[6][7] Rysher Entertainment developed and produced the project, securing Paramount Pictures for domestic distribution early in the process. Produced by David Kirkpatrick and Tony Amatullo.[8][9] The script was greenlit in 1996 during a period of heightened studio interest in romantic comedies, building on the success of mid-1990s hits in the genre, with pre-production leading to filming that summer on a budget of $18 million.[10][2]Casting
Greg Kinnear was cast as Danny Robertson following his breakout role in the 1993 romantic comedy Sleepless in Seattle, with director Keith Samples selecting him for his strong comedic timing suitable to the film's lighthearted tone.[11] Lauren Holly was chosen to play Jennifer Robertson, capitalizing on her rising fame from the television series Picket Fences, and she auditioned specifically to highlight the character's emotional vulnerability amid the story's fertility struggles.[12] Supporting roles were filled by notable actors including Joan Cusack as Nancy Tellen, Jennifer's business partner and best friend; William McNamara as Richard Sturgess, adding tension to the narrative; and Jill Hennessy as Lindsay Hamilton, the fertility clinic doctor.[12] The casting director, Jennifer Shull, oversaw the process and prioritized chemistry tests between the principal actors to ensure authenticity in portraying the couple's intimate relationship dynamics.[5]Filming
Principal photography for A Smile Like Yours occurred from June 15 to August 27, 1996, spanning the summer months in the San Francisco Bay Area.[13] Filming took place at several key locations around San Francisco, including Alameda, California Street, Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay, and Candlestick Park, capturing the urban and suburban settings central to the story.[13] The project was lensed by cinematographer Richard Bowen, whose work contributed to the film's lighthearted visual style.[14][12] Production designer Garreth Stover oversaw the sets, focusing on environments that supported the romantic comedy's domestic and comedic elements.[14][12]Plot and characters
Synopsis
A Smile Like Yours is a 1997 romantic comedy film that follows Danny Robertson (Greg Kinnear), an elevator engineer, and his wife Jennifer Robertson (Lauren Holly), a perfume designer, as they navigate the challenges of infertility in their otherwise happy marriage.[1][15] The story begins with Jennifer, who desperately wants a child, secretly stopping her birth control pills without informing Danny, leading to repeated but unsuccessful attempts at conception.[6] As months pass without success, the couple seeks medical advice and visits a quirky fertility clinic run by the eccentric Dr. Chin (France Nuyen), where they learn that Danny's sperm are "lazy," prompting a series of awkward and invasive procedures, including in vitro fertilization.[16] These clinic visits escalate the comedic tension, highlighted by Jennifer's determined seduction attempts in unconventional locations and Danny's growing paranoia that she might be unfaithful due to her frequent absences.[17] The narrative intensifies with interference from well-meaning but meddlesome friends, such as the aroma-therapist Nancy (Joan Cusack), who offers misguided advice, and further complications from Danny's tempting encounter with his boss Lindsay (Jill Hennessy), fueling mutual suspicions of infidelity.[15] Miscommunications and mishaps pile up, including a humorous restaurant scene where Danny dodges the clinic nurse, and Jennifer's professional success with a breakthrough perfume invention contrasts with their personal frustrations, straining their relationship to the point of temporary separation.[16] Through revelations about their misconceptions—clarifying that no affairs occurred—the couple confronts their insecurities, with Danny ultimately reaffirming his commitment.[17] In the resolution, Danny and Jennifer reconcile, choosing to abandon the clinical interventions and embrace a more natural approach to conception, ending on a hopeful note as they renew their bond and look forward to starting a family.[1] The film, running 98 minutes, blends elements of romance, comedy, and light drama to explore the marital strains caused by infertility.[2]Cast
Greg Kinnear stars as Danny Robertson, an elevator engineer who begins the story hesitant about fatherhood but grows comically obsessive in his pursuit of solutions to their fertility challenges.[6] Lauren Holly portrays Jennifer Robertson, a designer of perfumes and aromatherapy products who is enthusiastically eager for a child while navigating secrecy and mounting frustration in her efforts to conceive.[14] Joan Cusack plays Nancy Tellen, Jennifer's eccentric best friend whose meddling advice and quirky behavior provide much of the film's comic relief, including developing an unexpected crush on a mortician.[15] In supporting roles, Christopher McDonald appears as Richard Halstrom, a charismatic rival to Danny who complicates the couple's personal dynamics.[12] Jay Thomas portrays Steve Harris, Danny's supportive best friend who offers humorous insights into their situation.[12] Jill Hennessy plays Lindsay Hamilton, a colleague whose interactions with Danny add tension to the narrative.[12] Additional key supporting performers include Donald Moffat as Dr. Felber, the fertility clinic physician; France Nuyen as Dr. Chin, another medical expert involved in the treatments; David Ogden Stiers as Bradley, a minor but memorable figure in the story; and Shirley MacLaine as Jennifer's mother (uncredited).[12][18] Vince Vaughn makes an uncredited cameo appearance as Tommy, a brief but energetic character enhancing the comedic tone.[12]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Greg Kinnear | Danny Robertson |
| Lauren Holly | Jennifer Robertson |
| Joan Cusack | Nancy Tellen |
| Christopher McDonald | Richard Halstrom |
| Jay Thomas | Steve Harris |
| Jill Hennessy | Lindsay Hamilton |
| Donald Moffat | Dr. Felber |
| France Nuyen | Dr. Chin |
| David Ogden Stiers | Bradley |
| Shirley MacLaine | Jennifer's mother (uncredited) |
| Vince Vaughn | Tommy (uncredited) |