Thirteen Conversations About One Thing

In New York City a cross section of people moves through a busy day, and their paths cross in small but meaningful ways. A lawyer faces a decision that could change a life, an actuary weighs risk in numbers, a house cleaner observes strangers up close, and a professor searches for a foothold in a world that often feels random. They interact with coworkers, neighbors, and someone from a past they barely remember, and each encounter reveals how longing, obligation, and chance shape what happiness might mean. The film follows a web of conversations and moments that glow with humor and quiet sorrow, inviting viewers to notice how ordinary choices ripple outward.

Directed by Jill Sprecher with Karen Sprecher as co writer, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing is an original screenplay that weaves together multiple stories in New York. It was released in 2001 and features an ensemble cast including Matthew McConaughey, John Turturro, Clea DuVall, Amy Irving, and Alan Arkin.

Critics praised the film for its thoughtful mosaic and strong performances. The intertwined vignettes explore chance versus choice, the search for order, and the quiet joy found in everyday life. With wit and sensitivity, it invites viewers to reflect on how small interactions shape a larger sense of meaning.

The film fits a wave of dialogue driven ensemble dramas from the era, emphasizing character over action. Its structure of parallel conversations and moral curiosities became a touchstone for thoughtful, low key storytelling. While not widely quoted, its calm, observational approach continues to influence indie films that treat life as a web of connections.

Box office details are modest and not widely reported for this limited release indie drama. It found its audience in art house theaters and among viewers who favor character driven stories over spectacle. While not a blockbuster, it earned a place in conversations about ensemble cinema.