Mr. Deeds 2002

As the curtain closes on Preston Blake’s (character) ill-fated climb up Mount Everest, his eponymous media empire teeters on the brink of collapse. Chuck Cedar, Blake’s trusted lieutenant, sees an opportunity to cash in on the situation by selling off the company, sacrificing its 50,000 employees for a handsome profit. However, Cedar’s plans hit a snag when news breaks that Preston has left behind a surviving relative: Longfellow Deeds, a humble pizzeria owner from rural New Hampshire.

Initially, Deeds (played by) is oblivious to his newfound wealth and status as the sole heir to Blake Media. Chuck Cedar seizes the opportunity to manipulate Deeds’ innocence, convincing him to sell his shares for a staggering $40 billion. As part of the deal, Deeds must travel to New York City to finalize the paperwork. Upon arrival, Deeds’ good-natured personality quickly wins over the hearts of the staff, particularly the loyal butler Lopez. His well-meaning antics also catch the attention of the press corps, including shrewd reporter Babe Bennett (played by), who sees an opportunity to exploit Deeds’ naivety for her own gain.

As Deeds navigates the complexities of city life, he finds himself at odds with a host of colorful characters. A chance encounter with a rowdy football player ends in a brawl, while his well-intentioned attempts to help others only seem to land him in trouble. Deeds’ most egregious mistake occurs when he accidentally disassembles his uncle’s frozen body during a funeral service.

Despite the chaos he creates, Deeds’ kind heart and genuine nature captivate the public’s imagination. Babe Bennett, still masquerading as Pam Dawson, a nurse from Iowa, finds herself falling for Deeds’ charms. As they go on romantic dates and share tender moments, she sees an opportunity to further exploit his innocence for her own journalistic gain.

However, Cedar’s underhanded tactics eventually catch up with Deeds when he discovers Babe’s true identity through a surreptitious trick. Devastated by the revelation that the woman he loves has been deceiving him, Deeds’ heart is broken, and his perception of city life is forever changed. With a heavy heart, he relinquishes control of Blake Media to Cedar and returns to the simplicity of small-town life, leaving behind the complexities and chaos of the big city.

As Cedar orchestrates the shareholders’ meeting to finalize the sale of Blake Media, Deeds unexpectedly crashes the gathering, having acquired a single share earlier. With unbridled passion, he delivers an impassioned speech that resonates with the attendees, transporting them back to their childhood aspirations and the people they’ve become. His words weave a spell of nostalgia and introspection, convincing the majority of shareholders to reconsider their decision.

However, Babe’s timely arrival shatters the illusion, as she recites a passage from Preston Blake’s diary, revealing a scandalous one-night stand with a maid that resulted in an illegitimate child. This bombshell invalidates Deeds’ earlier sale of his shares to Cedar, and the rightful heir is revealed: Lopez, who swiftly assumes control and terminates Cedar’s tenure.

Babe’s revelation also serves as a catalyst for reconciliation between her and Deeds. Her honesty has earned back his trust, and they depart for Mandrake Falls together, with Lopez bidding them farewell by gifting Babe a billion dollars.

As the credits roll, Deeds’ rags-to-riches tale comes full circle. Though he’s returned to his humble roots in Jan’s pizzeria, he’s achieved success where it truly matters: he’s married Babe, lavished his friends with Corvettes, and seen one of his poems become a global phenomenon, printed on greeting cards worldwide.