Drags along with not much in the way of spirit.
The Family Man (2000)
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Reviews Counted:126
Fresh:67
Rotten:59
Average Rating:5.5/10
Consensus: Despite good performances by Cage and especially by Leoni, The Family Man is too predictable and derivative to add anything new to the Christmas genre. Also, it sinks under its sentimentality.
Theatrical Release:Dec 22, 2000 Wide
Box Office: $73,708,015
Synopsis: Nicolas Cage stars as Jack Campbell, a career-driven workaholic who has everything: an exciting job, a Ferarri, a closetful of Zegna suits, and the attention of any woman he wants. His life changes... Nicolas Cage stars as Jack Campbell, a career-driven workaholic who has everything: an exciting job, a Ferarri, a closetful of Zegna suits, and the attention of any woman he wants. His life changes when, after working a full day on Christmas Eve, he intervenes in a convenience store holdup. The apparent criminal, Cash (Cheadle), speaks to Jack in epigrams about his satisfaction with life. When Jack wakes up the next day, he's suddenly living in a New Jersey suburb, where he's married to his college sweetheart (Leoni) and is the father of two children. At first he is aghast, but Jack soon warms to his new life even though he knows that it cannot last. Unabashedly sentimental, the film is also a great comedy, as Cage gives a superb performance that makes the most of his character's obvious disgust with his suburban surroundings and even allows for a few moments of hysterics reminiscent of VAMPIRE'S KISS. Filled with great performances (notably Ms. Leoni's role as Jack's wife), inspired comedy, and a premise that suggests a slightly darker version of classics like A CHRISTMAS CAROL and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, THE FAMILY MAN is an affecting and entertaining holiday film. [More]
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven, Amber Valletta, Harve Presnell
Director: Brett Ratner
Director: Brett Ratner
Screenwriter: David Diamond, David Weissman
Producer: Marc Abraham, Tony Ludwig, Alan Riche, Howard Rosenman
Studio: Universal Pictures
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Reviews for The Family Man
The way in which the cast and crew put a fresh spin on it is nothing short of entertaining and quite enjoyable.
While this surrogate existence is one that the filmmakers encourage Jack to accept, it's also one they repeatedly mock, sending mixed messages about what actually makes living worthwhile.
Ratner probably thought it would be Capra-esque, but, really, it's just boring.
The movie has intelligent dialogue and fine lead performances, but it could use a few supporting characters to distract us from the fact that, at every minute, we know exactly what will happen next.
Despite an aura of déjà vu and a too-neat fadeout, this time-warp comedy feels fresh and original, and not a little heartfelt.
Although the rhythms of the movie directed by Brett Ratner ... are familiar in terms of the story, Cage and Leoni make it offbeat.
A holiday fable that's not destined for immortality but goes down more easily than most of the pap Hollywood tries to feed us every Christmas.
Nicolas Cage gives a performance that invites audiences to lay cynicism aside.
Yes, this movie is schmaltzy -- but ... so what? It's also heartfelt, a great date movie and perfect for the holidays.
In the end conventional sentiment, rather than any actual morality, is all that the script for The Family Man ... has to offer.
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