December 16, 1994
Speechless is a 1994 American romantic comedy film directed by Ron Underwood. It stars Michael Keaton, Geena Davis (who also co-produced with her then-husband, director Renny Harlin), Bonnie Bedelia, Ernie Hudson, and Christopher Reeve.
Storyline
After meeting each other for the first time in the gift shop of the Las Cruces, New Mexico hotel where they are both staying, insomniac writers Julia Mann and Kevin Vallick fight over the last box of sleep medicine.
Initially, they do not realize both are speechwriters for rival candidates in a New Mexico Senate election, so they both fall in love. Julia works for Democratic candidate Lloyd Wannamaker and Kevin for Republican candidate Ray Garvin. Inadvertently influencing each other's work, they discover each other's jobs when they are both invited to speak at a school. Both shocked, they end up attacking each other verbally on stage. Later, in their campaign speeches, they continue to argue, unbeknownst to everyone else. Their romance causes great confusion, as they have to decide if love and politics can mix.
Also complicating matters are, amongst other things, Kevin's cutthroat ex-wife Annette, who got Kevin the job on the Republican's campaign. Julia's estranged fiancé, television war correspondent Robert "Baghdad Bob" Freed (also known as "Mr. Flak Jacket") turns up and wants her back. She had broken off the engagement, as she believed he wanted a cheering section more than he wanted a wife.
Julia's organizer accidentally falls into Kevin's hands, and he hacks into her candidate's speech, making Wannamaker sound foolish. Then, Julia's team meets with Kevin's in his offices. He doesn't attend, but meets with Julia that night; she tells him she's engaged again and he warns her she's getting fired. She takes advice from him to make her candidate more loved by the people by having him help rescue a missing bear cub that has been dominating the news. This gives Julia a promotion to press secretary.
At a televised debate, Julia breaks off the engagement, and immediately after Kevin tells her he's crazy for her. They sneak off, spending the night together. The next morning at dawn, Annette shows up, tasking Kevin to write a campaign ad. Not able to wake him, Julia writes a sitcom-style ad.
The next morning, Kevin chews out Julia because he thinks she leaked financial info to the press, not thanking her for the successful ad. Later on, one of Julia's staff tells Kevin that both of their candidates took bribes. A man named Proctor is responsible for both bribes, but has chosen Wannamaker. Julia is told by a workmate, as they approach the stage in victory.
Kevin arrives, interrupting Wannamaker's victory speech, to declare his love, swooping down into Julia's arms. The film closes with a news report given by Bob of Julia's late entry into a senatorial race, with Kevin as campaign manager.