A real contempt hovers just below Ratner's superficially sympathetic presentation of suburban family life.
Comment
12/21/00
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The Family Man (2000)
53
%
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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... [More]
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven
Director: Brett Ratner
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Reviews for The Family Man
The familiar can be awfully entertaining if it's done well. And here, for the most part, it is.
12/21/00
Top CriticA film brimming with good intentions that, unfortunately, lacks conviction.
12/21/00
Has enough moments of veracity and humor to keep it entertaining.
12/20/00
What makes this film work so well is two absolutely terrific central performances from Leoni and Cage.
12/19/00
The screenplay is effective enough to get us thinking about a few philosophical issues ... while it tells a worthwhile story.
12/18/00
Top CriticIt's quite a tightrope act -- they manage to both pander and condescend to Middle America simultaneously.
12/18/00
Nicolas Cage is always worth watching, and Jack Campbell's changes, until even his wary daughter accepts him, are well developed for most of the way.
12/18/00
It isn't nearly serious (or entertaining) enough to even beg for comparison to its forebearers.
12/14/00
Ratner assembles enough small, bright moments of earnest amusement and sweetness to eke out a victory, thanks largely to talents of Cage and Leoni.
12/14/00
If you like feel-good movies that try to uplift and inspire at whatever the cost, then The Family Man is an excellent choice, especially as a holiday selection.
12/13/00
It’s a likeable film.
12/13/00
Rests on its charm, never falling short of pleasant.
12/12/00
Ratner ... mines the story's comedic and wistful elements effectively while avoiding the potential mush factor.
12/12/00
Top CriticA slickly produced slice of sentimental hokum that borrows freely from a half-dozen or so other, better feel-good fantasies.
12/12/00
Top CriticWhy is it that when a film blatantly steals from a classic -- It's a Wonderful Life, in this case -- the characters almost never acknowledge it?
12/12/00
A veritable glacier of treacle, oozing inexorably on for two hours, gradually swallowing the actors, the screen and the audience as well.
12/12/00
While it may be wholly unoriginal The Family Man is also surprisingly touching and funny.
12/12/00
It makes the point of demeaning the middle class at every turn.
12/12/00
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