go back to Randall's where they bond over tea and J spends the night on the couch. The following morning J discovers Randall collapsed in the street after having told her he was going "for a run." She learns that Randall has had leukemia for many years and doesn't have long to live, and is initially very angry that he didn't share this with her. While collecting some of Randall's personal items from his home, J discovers the name and address of his ex-wife. Unable to contact her by phone, J drives to Albuquerque only to find her (and Randall's) son Randy, a deeply cynical young man who tells her that his mother died in a car accident six months earlier, and had told him that his father had died before he was born. Although he initially refuses to drive to L.A. to see the father he's never known before he dies, he ultimately does so. Because of J's intervention, Randall and his son have a brief time to get to know one another, for which Randall is very grateful. J's friendship with Randall inspires her to seek a closer relationship with her family, especially her mother. In Randall's final days, Jennifer organizes a dinner at which his son and Jennifer's family come together to celebrate his life. Cast Albert Brooks as Randall "R" Harris Leelee Sobieski as Jennifer "J" Wilson Desmond Harrington as Randy Harris, Jr. Carol Kane as Mrs. Benson Michael McKean as Bob Benson John Goodman as Benjamin Wilson Henry Brown as Jack Taylor, Salesman Mary Kay Place as Nurse Patty Production and casting In the film's DVD commentary, director Christine Lahti noted Albert Brooks campaigned vigorously for the role of Randall, and that although initially doubtful about whether he could handle the heavy dramatic aspects of the character, she was won over at their first meeting. Similarly, when Sobieski was considered for the part of "J", she was initially skeptical that "such a beautiful face" could capture the feeling and look of isolation that was needed for the character, but changed her mind after meeting Sobieski. Lahti expressed deep disappointment that the film was rated R (for language), despairing that it would likely not be seen by many teenagers who would like and relate to the characters. She also lamented that the shooting schedule, constrained by the film's budget, didn't give her the opportunity to shoot