Everybody Wins (1990) follows Debra Winger as Angela Crispini, a woman with a keen intuition who is convinced that a young man, Felix (Frank Military), has been wrongfully convicted of murder by corrupt court officials. The narrative is adapted from Arthur Miller's one-act play, "Some Kind of Love Story," which sparked rumors about the inspiration behind the enigmatic Angela Crispini character. Miller, however, renames the play to the ironically titled Everybody Wins (1990) and avoids delving into the speculation.
Angela hires Tom O'Toole (Nick Nolte), a seasoned private investigator renowned for his work on wrongful conviction cases, to secure a new trial for Felix. As the investigation unfolds, Nolte's character becomes increasingly drawn to Angela, who reveals intricate details about the case, subtly hinting at her own involvement. While the trope of a detective uncovering the truth amidst a web of deceit is familiar, Miller shifts the focus towards the evolving relationship between Angela and Tom, and the complexities of Angela's character.
Winger delivers a standout performance, effortlessly transitioning between different facets of Angela's personality. Miller crafts a more character-driven detective story, rich with emotional depth and suspense, rather than relying solely on the typical whodunit elements.