Sundays at Tiffany's (film)
Sundays at Tiffany's is a 2010 made-for-TV romance film directed by Mark Piznarski. Originally airing on Lifetime, the film based on the 2008 novel of the same name by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet, and stars Alyssa Milano, Eric Winter, Ivan Sergei and Stockard Channing.
| Sundays at Tiffany's | |
|---|---|
| Written by | James Patterson (book) Gabrielle Charbonnet (book) Jennifer Heath Heather Maidat Nancey Silvers |
| Directed by | Mark Piznarski |
| Starring | Alyssa Milano Eric Winter Ivan Sergei Stockard Channing |
| Theme music composer | Mateo Messina |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Alyssa Milano Andrew Golov |
| Cinematography | Adam Swica |
| Editor(s) | Henk Van Eeghen |
| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | Lifetime |
| Original release | December 6, 2010 |
Plot
In 1990, ten-year-old Jane Claremont (Emily Alyn Lind) is infatuated with her imaginary friend Michael (Gage Munroe), to the disappointment of her mother Vivienne (Stockard Channing), who thought that her daughter is not normal and even sends her to therapy because of her relationship with Michael. Michael knows that he has to go when Jane turns ten years old. Every birthday Vivienne takes Jane to Tiffany & Co in New York City to buy her a gift, while Vivienne is looking for the perfect gift, Michael talks to Jane and explains what happens when she turns ten. After explaining the situation to her he then prepares to leave through an "exit station" (the store's elevator) at precisely 5:15 pm, which is the exact moment of her birth. Jane doesn't understand and begs him to stay, but he departs, and Jane is devastated.
Twenty years later, Jane (Alyssa Milano) will soon marry Hugh Morrison (Ivan Sergei), a famous television actor. She is currently following her mother's steps into becoming a theater manager and will produce her fiance in his theater debut. Michael (Eric Winter) reappears in New York as a full fledged human being who finally makes contact with Jane.
Jane initially thinks that Michael is a stalker and struggling actor, who probably wants a role in an upcoming play. He assures her of his identity by coming up with information about her past he could not have known if he was not really Michael.
Michael becomes surprised by Jane's life, because she is not exactly the woman she said that would be when she was younger, however Jane assures him that she let go some of her dreams, made better decisions and has grown up. Jane's life has become so hectic that she is unable to make any decisions in terms of her wedding, but with Michael's help Jane manages to pick out the dress, cake, and the flowers. Michael even repaints her apartment and fixes her shower, which Hugh has neglected to do many times due to his preoccupation with his career. Eventually Jane realizes that Michael really knows her better than anyone.
They go out a couple of times afterwards and grow even closer, much to Hugh's annoyance. Hugh orders Jane to end her contact with Michael which leads to Jane asking Michel to leave her house and find a job or something to keep him occupied. After returning to her life with Hugh, Jane soon realizes that she is not happy with him, and that they do not share the same interests. She contacts Michael, who is now working in a restaurant. They reconnect and spend their first night together intimately. Because she is now finally happy, Michael announces that he must leave again at 5:15 pm on her birthday. Heartbroken, Jane assures him that she will not spend another minute thinking of him if he truly leaves. She continues preparing for her wedding, but then leaves Hugh at the altar because she still is in love with Michael. As it is Christmas Eve and almost 5:15 pm, she runs off to Tiffany's to find Michael. She does, just in time, and professes her love for him. But he again says he has to go, saddening her once again. Michael then disappears into the store elevator once again. Jane goes outside the store feeling heartbroken. But Michael then reappears and professes his love for her and explains that he came back because he needs her, and that "some rules were made to be broken".
Cast
- Alyssa Milano as Jane Claremont
- Eric Winter as Michael Friend
- Kristin Booth as Jacqueline
- Emily Alyn Lind as Young Jane
- Ivan Sergei as Hugh Morrison
- Stockard Channing as Vivienne Claremont
- Gage Munroe as Young Michael
Production
Milano was attracted to the script because "it's such an original concept, which I don't think we see that often, anymore" and because she was "really attracted to flawed characters because I feel like we're all flawed."[1] When she took the role, she initially struggled with portraying a character who is "hardened off and protective of herself" without coming off "bitchy".[1]
The film was shot on location and in Toronto between September 8 and October 1, 2010.[2] Milano credited her co-stars for making the production "not only easy but an experience where it felt like we were doing something great."[1] She told an interviewer that she gladly reunited with Winter and Sergei, with whom she worked with on Charmed; and on working with Channing, she commented: "Working with her is a great reminder of why, after 30 years of being in this business, I still love my job."[1] Milano also served as a producer of the film, which she liked, because "there is a sense of being more creatively involved and more emotionally aware."[1]