10 Things to Know About 'Irreconcilable Differences'

10 Things to Know About Irreconcilable Differences

10 A Comeback for Ryan O’Neal

Through the early 1980s, Ryan O’Neal stumbled from one flop to another and one tabloid story about his personal life to another. Whether it was his tumultuous relationship with daughter Tatum, his explosive relationship with his son Griffin, or the rocky relationship with longtime love, Farrah Fawcett, O’Neal’s personal life made way more headlines than any of his movies.

Irreconcilable Differences was a huge turn around. Critics were kind, praising O’Neal’s performance as an egotistical filmmaker humbled by a young, capricious daughter, played by Drew Barrymore, who teaches her parents, including Shelley Long as mom, a lesson by taking them to court.

The film opened strong at the box office and would go on to double it’s six million dollar budget. It was far from a blockbuster but with great reviews and a movie that didn’t lose money, yeah, Irreconcilable Differences can be called a Ryan O’Neal comeback vehicle, if only temporarily.

9 O’Neal Starred in the Film for Free

In late 1983 it appeared that Irreconcilable Differences was dead in the water. Director Charles Shyer and his screenwriter wife, Nancy Meyers, had to call their star, Ryan O’Neal and break the bad news that funding for the film had fallen through.

Without missing a beat, O’Neal offered to make the movie for free, taking pay in points on the backend if the movie was successful. This allowed the movie to go forward with a more modest budget of just $6 millon dollars.

8 Loosely based on Peter Bogdanovich and Polly Platt

The central dynamic between the filmmaker and his creative partner wife mirrors the actual marital and professional breakdown of Peter Bogdanovich and Polly Platt. This cinematic marriage dissolves much like theirs did when Bogdanovich abandoned Platt for Cybill Shepherd, with the character played by Sharon Stone clearly representing the young starlet who came between them.

Bogdanovich was not happy with the film. He commented years later that he felt the film was unfair to him and Cybill Shepherd and called it mean-spirited.

7 Steven Spielberg Coached Drew Barrymore’s Big Moment

Ryan O’Neal shared an anecdote regarding the most memorable moment in Irreconcilable Differences. Drew Barrymore as Casey delivers a devastating monologue about why she wants to divorce her parents. It’s genuinely heartbreaking, we cried for sure. According to O'Neal, Steven Spielberg is responsible.

Spielberg didn’t step in behind the camera or anything. Instead, Barrtymore turned to her beloved E.T director for help with her big scene and he talked her through it before it ever went in front of the camera.

O’Neal was surprised, but also jokingly stated that he was jealous, he would have liked a few pointers from Spielberg as well.

6 Speaking of Drew’s Big Scene

We mentioned that we cried during Drew’s courtroom monologue and, well, just about everyone did. Most notably, once again, per Ryan O’Neal, the Judge, played by veteran actress Lorinne Vozoff, couldn't hold back tears during Drew’s monologue. Thankfully, she was off camera at the time as her judge character couldn’t be seen wiping away tears the way everyone else was. She was the only one scripted not to cry.

5 A Humorous Observation from Gregory Peck

Ryan O’Neal shared yet another great anecdote about Irreconcilable Differences. Speaking to the legendary actor Gregory Peck, O’Neal shared the premise for his character, a successful film director who abandons his wife and child when he falls in love with an ingenue actress he discovered. Peck replied:

“I know any number of directors who’ve done that.”

This anecdote is great and a sly way for O'Neal to dodge the Peter Bogdanovich story.

4 Early Test Screenings Were Wildly Positive

More than 3 months ahead of the actual release of Irreconcilable Differences Warner Bros. began testing the film in Los Angeles and the results were fantastic. Columnist Marilyn Beck reported on July 18th, 1984, that test screenings of Irreconcilable Differences were so strong that the company was committing to an 800 screen nationwide release for the film in September of 1984.

3 Sam Wanamaker’s producer character inspired by Roger Corman

The role of David Kessler, the encouraging Hollywood producer portrayed by Sam Wanamaker, takes its cues from the legendary king of low-budget cinema, Roger Corman. This creative choice serves as a nod to the way the film industry frequently provides essential opportunities to ambitious, up-and-coming directors.

2 Drew Barrymore Sought Emancipation in Real Life

As a teenager, struggling with her relationship with her mother, Drew Barrymore actually did end up seeking emancipation for herself, a separation from her mother which was granted by a judge.

1 He Said it Would Last Forever

The narrative focuses on a creative duo whose marital bond eventually fractures, mirroring the real-life journey of its creators, Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers. This husband-and-wife team collaborated on later hits such as Baby Boom and Father of the Bride before their own union dissolved. Meyers, though sharing a writing credit, is often cited as a powerhouse force behind the camera, shaping the film’s unique vision.