Chances Are 1989

In the year 1963, as the world buzzes with dreams and aspirations, Louie is about to embark on a new chapter of his life; he is set to marry his beloved Corinne. However, during the festivities, the best man, Philip, leans in to whisper a secret that shatters the atmosphere—he confesses his love for Corinne. Despite this jarring revelation, Louie remains steadfast, and the wedding proceeds without a hitch.

Fast forward a year, and Corinne joyfully announces her pregnancy, marking a significant milestone in their lives. We witness scenes of her nurturing a tree she affectionately names George, planted outside their charming home in Washington, D.C. However, marital bliss is soon overshadowed by tensions in Louie’s career. He vehemently challenges Judge Fenwick, arguing that the dismissal of vital evidence could allow a dangerous mobster to evade justice. Fenwick, however, strictly adheres to the letter of the law. Amid these struggles, Philip provides Louie with an intriguing tip about a covert meeting involving Fenwick. Seizing this opportunity, Louie stealthily captures a photograph of Fenwick accepting a bribe, believing this could be his path to redemption.

But as fate would have it, while Louie eagerly makes his way to an anniversary celebration, fate intervenes. Distracted by his excitement, he is struck by a car, and suddenly, the world turns to a blinding white. In this surreal moment, Louie encounters ethereal beings, where he implores for a way back to life. He is given a startling choice: to return as a baby soon to be born in Ohio, ensuring he remains close to his beloved D.C. This chaotic turn of events leads to Louie’s rebirth, leaving behind a haunting question—will he remember his past?

Presently, we see Corinne deeply affected by Louie’s absence, clinging to delusions that keep his memory alive. Dr. Bailey, a compassionate therapist, is determined to help Corinne navigate her grief and encourage her to embrace the present. Meanwhile, young Alex, perusing the shelves of the Yale library, meets a striking girl named Miranda who is burdened by overdue fines just as she prepares to graduate from law school. In a twist of fate, Alex, leveraging his cleverness, concocts a story to absolve her of the fines—setting the stage for their intertwining fates.

Through newfound connections, Alex finds himself befriending Ben Bradlee of The Washington Post, who, impressed by Alex’s ambition, opens doors for him. However, Alex’s lack of real-world experience becomes apparent during their encounter, highlighting the gap between expectation and reality. After spending some time living in his car, Alex is welcomed into Philip’s home, where an unexpected revelation awaits. He discovers that Miranda is Corinne’s daughter, igniting a flood of memories and emotions as he begins to realize that he is, in fact, Louie, returned in a new form.

As Alex grapples with fragments of his past self, he struggles to make sense of his bizarre existence. With his heart intertwined with Corinne’s past, he visits her at the Smithsonian, where she is diligently working on a project for former first ladies. Faced with mounting pressures for funding from her boss, Archibald Blair, Alex sees an opportunity to help her. By charming the wealthy Mavis Talmadge at an event, Alex secures the necessary finances for Corinne’s project, solidifying his commitment to her.

However, the truth of Alex’s identity proves to be a stumbling block. Upon revealing his true self to Corinne, sharing intimate details only Louie would know—like the diamond earrings reminiscent of Jackie Kennedy’s—she initially recoils in disbelief, casting him aside. Nonetheless, as the threads of fate weave their complex story, Corinne comes to realize the truth, albeit struggling with the dissonance of their age difference.

Conflict arises as Alex shares his secret with Philip, leading to a confrontation that results in Philip being knocked out in a moment of chaos. As their paths further entwine, Corinne moves forward, ultimately deciding to pursue a life with Philip, despite the emotional turmoil stirred by Alex.

In a climactic turn of events, Judge Fenwick enters the picture once more as Alex and Philip find themselves in a courtroom. Driven by overwhelming memories, Alex confronts Fenwick, only to be dismissed and ultimately thrown out. In the midst of this turmoil, he implores Philip to recall the significant meeting place from Louie’s past, hinting at their long-ago encounters with a camera. However, an unfortunate accident leaves Alex unconscious, whereupon he finds himself back in the care of that mysterious man from before—the same one who failed to inoculate him years ago.

Upon awakening, Alex’s memories of Louie have faded, leaving behind only fragments of his current life. At the wedding of Philip and Corinne, an unexpected opportunity arises when Ben Bradlee offers Alex a position at The Washington Post, impressed by Alex’s tenacity in bringing down Judge Fenwick while simultaneously casting a shadow on the realities of love, loss, and the endless loops of fate that bind their lives together.