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The Family Man (2000)
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Genre: |
Romance/Comedy/Drama |
Director: |
Brett Ratner |
Rating: |
PG-13 |
Running Time: |
122 Minutes |
Release Date: |
December 22, 2000 |
Official Website: |
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Movie Trailer: |
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Discuss and vote: |
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Cast: |
Brett Ratner
Nicolas Cage
Tea Leoni
Jeremy Piven
Don Cheadle
Harve Presnell
Josef Sommer
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Pickup Line: A Great Way To Get Into The Christmas Spirit!
Quickie: A successful Wall Street hotshot who claims to already have everything he needs catches a glimpse of what might be, had he not left his college sweetheart. Just call it "A Christmas Carol" for the 00s.
The Long Review:
"The Family Man" is the perfect movie to get you into the whole Christmas spirit shebang. If you liked "A Christmas Carol" and "It's A Wonderful Life," then this movie will be good for you, making you warm, tingly, and toasty all over. This Christmas tale tells the story of Jack Campbell, a Wall Street hotshot who makes the mistake of telling the New York Ghost of Christmas Past, Present Future, whatever (Don Cheadle), that he already has everything he needs. To prove Jack wrong, the "Ghost" takes Jack away from his wealth-infested, frivolous life, and gives him a glimpse of what could have been, had he stayed with his college girlfriend, Kate (Tea Leoni) instead of jetting off to London and pretty much breaking her sweet heart. Basically, Jack wakes up to find himself a husband to Kate and father to two children, Annie and Joshie, sans his assets (a lush apartment and a sleek Ferrari). What follows is Jack's journey of discovery, where he begins to wonder whether he really does have everything and whether he made the right choices.
Aaaaaah. So much love on the screen, it's just one Hallmark moment after the other. Warm, fuzzy sentiments combined with irresistible humour make for a good movie. Nicolas Cage plays the part of eligible rich bachelor turned homely tire salesman with just enough bewilderment and fear to make you laugh at and feel for him. It was nice to see his quirky side come out. And Tea Leoni is the epitome of cuteness and homeliness as his patient, forgiving wife. The tender moments between this couple are enough to make even Scrooge long for a sweetie to come home to. And the kids who play Cage and Leoni's children are just plain adorable. Awwwwww!
Given the simple plot, this movie gives its audience a lot to think and feel about. There's just something about a nice tearjerker right smack in the middle of the Christmas season. Unfortunately, Roger Ebert didn't find it as satisfying as we did, commenting, "The movie is sweet, light entertainment, but could have been more." Hmmmm...wethinks he missed the point...which is that it is supposed to be sweet and light. C'mon, now. It's a feel good movie, not a pick your brain not till it hurts movie! The dialogue is candid, engaging, and reaches your innermost sentimental core. It sure makes you say hello to that feminine side!! Some may find the pacing a bit too slow for their liking, while some may appreciate it, seeing it as an effective means of conveying the touching story. The ending is also worthy of discussion; we appreciate that the film doesn't end the way we expected it to. You'll see. Overall, we liked this movie. It's a Christmas winner. Heck, it made us wonder if we've made the right choices. And we're sure it'll make you wonder just a little, too.
In Two Minutes:
Did you know?
- John Travolta was originally slated to play the lead in "The Family Man" but Mr. Saturday Night Fever eventually passed up the role. Hmmm...pretty intriguing. In case you don't remember, Cage and Travolta put on each other's faces in the hit "Face Off." 'Guess Nicolas Cage isn't done filling in for John Travolta!
- Nicolas Cage himself is having trouble being a family man in real life, having been estranged from wife, Patricia Arquette. Maybe having made this movie will increase his chances of getting the marriage back on track?
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