Three to Tango

Three to Tango

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	1999
Founder	Damon Santostefano (director), Rodney Patrick Vaccaro and Aline Brosh McKenna (screenwriters)
Products	Romantic comedy film
Parent	Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment

Three to Tango is a 1999 romantic comedy film directed by Damon Santostefano, with a screenplay by Rodney Patrick Vaccaro and Aline Brosh McKenna. The cast includes Matthew Perry, Neve Campbell, Dylan McDermott, and Oliver Platt.

Plot

Architects Oscar Novak and Peter Steinberg vie to secure the commission for designing a high-budget cultural center for businessman Charles Newman. Newman mistakenly believes Oscar is gay and enlists him to keep an eye on his mistress, Amy, preventing her from contacting his wife, Olivia. Although Oscar is heterosexual, he develops feelings for Amy while maintaining the false impression to win the project.

Complications arise when a newspaper article suggests Oscar and Peter are romantically involved, forcing Oscar to reject unwanted advances and convince his acquaintances that he is only pretending. Amy attempts to set Oscar up with her former boyfriend, football player Kevin Cartwright, but Oscar declines. Despite misunderstandings, a bond forms between Oscar and Amy, culminating in her moving in with him after losing her apartment. At the final presentation, Oscar and Peter secure the commission; simultaneously, Oscar receives the Gay Professional Man of the Year award, which Newman intends to disclose at a later time.

Following an uncomfortable meeting between Amy and Olivia, Amy departs in frustration after nearly sharing a kiss with Oscar. They argue about their relationships—Oscar criticizes Amy’s involvement with Newman, who remains indifferent. During the award ceremony, Oscar abandons the facade and openly declares his heterosexuality and love for Amy. His honesty earns applause as he pursues Amy, who responds by punching both him and Newman before leaving. Peter accepts the prize—a date with Kevin. Subsequently, Amy returns to Oscar, affirming her feelings after he expresses remorse over his deceit.

In a post-credits scene, Olivia convinces Newman to choose Oscar and Peter’s design, revealing she was aware of his affair with Amy and acknowledging their superior work.

Production

In March 1998, Matthew Perry and Neve Campbell entered negotiations with Outlaw Productions and Warner Bros to star in Three to Tango, penned by Rodney Patrick Vaccaro with revisions by Aileen Brosh. This project marked Damon Santostefano’s directorial debut following his departure from TriStar’s Idle Hands. The film was co-produced by Warner Bros. alongside Australia’s Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment, exemplifying a deliberate international collaboration.

Reception

Roger Ebert acknowledged Neve Campbell’s charm but awarded the movie one star, criticizing its reliance on an "Idiot Plot" where essential explanations remain unaddressed. In The New York Times, Stephen Holden described the film as predictable and dependent on gay stereotypes, observing that its attempt to balance daring themes with safe elements resulted in a mild yet somewhat offensive outcome.

From a financial perspective, Three to Tango underachieved at the box office, opening at #8 with $4.4 million during its first weekend and earning $10.6 million total against its $20 million production budget.

Filming locations

While the narrative of Three to Tango takes place in Chicago, the actual production was carried out in Toronto, Ontario.

Soundtrack

The album Three to Tango: Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture was issued by Atlantic Records on October 26, 1999. It includes original compositions from the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, and Mighty Blue Kings, as well as previously released tracks by Squirrel Nut Zippers, Royal Crown Revue, and The Atomic Fireballs.