Melinda and Melinda

Melinda and Melinda is a 2005 comedydrama film written and directed by Woody Allen. It was premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. The film is set in Manhattan and stars Radha Mitchell as the protagonist Melinda, in two storylines one comic, one tragic. The film was given a limited release in the United States on March 18, 2005.

Woody Allen said in Conversations with Woody Allen that he wanted to cast Winona Ryder in the title role. He had to replace her with Radha Mitchell because no one would insure Ryder due to her arrest for shoplifting this would have made it impossible to obtain a film completion bond. Allen stated he was sad because he had written the part for Ryder after working with her on Celebrity. In the same interview, he also claimed to have intended Ferrells part for Robert Downey, Jr., but, again, insurance got in the way due to Downeys history of arrests and drug abuse.Radha Mitchell plays Melinda in both versions. Chlo Sevigny, Jonny Lee Miller, and Chiwetel Ejiofor star with her in the tragedy, while Will Ferrell and Amanda Peet star with her in the comedy. Steve Carell has a small part as Ferrells friend. ........

Source: Wikipedia