While You Were Sleeping

Rating:
Summary: One of Bullock's Best
Review: A sweet and gentle, romantic film about how love sometimes slips in through the window rather than coming straight in through the front door, it's the one that put star Sandra Bullock into contention with Meg Ryan for the crown of America's Sweetheart. And with good reason, because in "While You Were Sleeping," directed by Jon Turteltaub, Bullock emerges as the epitome of the modern day "girl next door," in the best and most sincere sense. This is a film that explores one of the basic tenets of the human condition, the need to love and be loved, and makes no bones about what it's trying to accomplish along the way. Clearly, the filmmakers want to make you feel good and entertain you at the same time. And they succeed on both fronts.

Lucy Moderatz (Bullock) lives alone in Chicago, where she has an apartment, a cat and a job with the CTA as a token taker for the train. Her life is fairly uncomplicated and uneventful (read: Dull), and the one thing she looks forward to in her daily grind is seeing a certain young gentleman who rides the train everyday and always passes through her toll booth. She's doesn't even know his name, and they've never exchanged so much as a "Good morning," but in her mind he's become the Prince Charming she's always dreamed about.

Then on Christmas morning he passes through, but while waiting on the platform for the train he gets mugged and falls onto the tracks, unconscious. And a train is coming. Lucy runs to his aid and saves his life, but the severe head trauma he's sustained has put him in a coma. At the hospital, they refuse to let her in to see him, as that is a privilege reserved for family members only; so in desperation she tells them that she is his fiancee, which does the trick. But when his family-- his rather "large" family-- shows up, her ruse creates something of a sticky wicket. Everything is moving so fast and becoming so emotional that Lucy simply can't get in a word of explanation. The next thing she knows, to the family she is their beloved Peter's (Peter Gallagher) intended (even though he's never said a word to them about her), and because the situation is so frantic and there's such concern about Peter, besides which it's Christmas, Lucy can't bring herself to tell them the truth. So in an instant, her life is suddenly changed; she's surrounded by "family," and she's "engaged" to her Prince Charming. Even if he is, well...in a coma.

Turteltaub has crafted and delivered a thoroughly engaging film in the tradition of Nora Ephron's "You've Got Mail" (the second best romantic comedy ever made) and "Sleepless In Seattle." He sets a perfect pace, and presents his endearingly eclectic assemblage of characters in the best possible way-- he makes you feel at home with them. Most importantly, though, Turteltaub manages to make this a "sweet" film without being "saccharin" about it, which would have sunk it quicker than a deflated rubber raft in an undertow. Instead, he pulls out all the right stops to make his film entirely Ephronesque and entertaining, and it works beautifully. The humor is warm, and as the story moves along he builds upon that strong sense of "need" that is universal, then triumphs by satisfying that need in the end.

Sandra Bullock has never been more winning or winsome than she is here; there's a special quality about her Lucy that makes you want to reach out to her. She is, without question, the most vulnerable character Bullock has ever played. There is very little of Annie ("Speed") or Gracie ("Miss Congeniality"), for example, about her; the closest to Lucy of any of her characters, in fact, would be Birdee in "Hope Floats." That is not to say there is anything "weak" about Lucy at all-- quite the contrary, in fact. There is a decided strength in the very benevolence of Lucy's nature, even in the way she wears her heart on her sleeve and especially inasmuch as she is not afraid to admit to herself what she really wants and needs. This is an independent woman who accepts and meets any and all challenges of life, but keeps an open mind and, above all, an open heart. And that is what makes Lucy so endearing; she's the one who brings a cake to the office to share with her co-workers for no other reason than the fact that it makes the world and everybody in it a little bit better. That's what Bullock brings to her performance here, and it's what makes Lucy one of her most enduring and memorable characters.

As for sliding in through the window rather than coming through the front door, that's exactly what Bill Pullman does with his portrayal of Peter's brother, Jack Callaghan. He's the one who shows up after the fact, as it were, but very quickly makes a connection and ingratiates himself with the audience. Initially, Jack seems to be playing the role of devil's advocate, his suspicions aroused by the fact that Peter has never mentioned Lucy to him; but that begins to change with some very subtle undertones that prove to be extremely effective. And Pullman does a terrific job of developing his character in real time, which makes Jack convincing, and a piece of the puzzle that fits in perfectly. A "character actor" type leading man, Pullman has a resume filled with varied and colorful characters, but Jack is his most engaging role ever, and he succeeds entirely with it.

The wonderful supporting cast includes Jack Warden (Saul), Peter Boyle (Ox), Micole Mercurio (Midge), Michael Rispoli (Joey) and the wonderful Glynis Johns, as beautiful and charming as ever as Elsie. Warm and poignant, "While You Were Sleeping" is one to savor; this one's a keeper. (BTW, the #1 romantic comedy? Bonnie Hunt's "Return To Me").

Rating:
Summary: Comfort food for the soul
Review: There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of substance to this film, but it's more than it seems. It works because of a wonderful combination of romance and comedy, neither taking itself too seriously.

Sandra Bullock plays Lucy with that trademark combination of sass and sweet. She's got something all of us can relate to at one point - she's a little klutzy, a little tired, a little dreamy, and a little sad. Still, it's far from bleak - she's got her kitty, a home and a job, not to mention a healthy sense of humor. She even has a semi-real Mr. Right.

Then Mr. Right falls off a subway platform. Oops. It's Lucy to the rescue! At the hospital she meets his eccentric family, the Callaghans, and then it gets complicated when they mistake her for his fiance. Taken to their hearts from Grandma Elsie to brother Jack, Lucy finally has the family she's always craved and she can't disillusion them with the truth as long as their son is in his coma. For the solitary Lucy, life gets very, very full.

It's a little predictable, but the end is a bit of a surprise. For a fluffy movie, it handles things with a dash of wry maturity. The setting is Chicago and winter, so it's a perfect holiday season movie that will get you in the mood for winter cheer. This is a comedy that doesn't go for laughs, but simply shows us the way life is often funny and sweet. Perhaps it doesn't quite make the most of the actors or plot, but those are easily overlooked. It's one of those movies you watch again and again to recapture the feelings of warmth and optimism that it inspires. It's one of my ultimate comfort movies.

Rating:
Summary: She is a Real Sweetheart
Review: I just saw "While he was sleeping" for the second time. It was beautiful. I know Chicago and I know the C. T. A. Sandra Bullock is such a beautiful little nut; you really have to fall in love with her. Not only that, she is such a great actress, the way she read he lines to her "fiancé" while he was comatose was really terrific. I wonder if she got at least an Oscar nomination for that , because I think she deserves it.

Rating:
Summary: The most astonishingly bad film I've ever seen
Review: And no, I'm not completely averse to "chick flicks", either. Stupid premise, sloppy pacing, jaw-droppingly inept dialogue. Why should I care? I saw it on a first- and last - date with someone I might have stuck with if she hadn't thoroughly enjoyed this.

Rating:
Summary: A Romantic Favorite
Review: This is one of my favorite romantic comedies. What a wonderful idea, that someone could be so lonely one day, have fantasies about one man, and fall in love with another! The idea that the main character seems to crave a family life, and then finds one for herself is so great. For once she wasn't on the outside looking in. 5 stars!

Rating:
Summary: Definitely one of the best romantic comedies of all time!
Review: I saw this movie seven years ago when it first came out and it quickly became my favorite movie--I'd give it ten stars if i could. For years, I didn't see it, until my friend brought it to my house and said she'd bought it at a yardsale (I'd asked her to keep a lookout for it recently). I watched the movie over & over and it still remains my absolute favorite movie. Sandra Bullock is an absolutely charming actress in this film--no other could pull it off as well as she did! Bill Pullman was just as good! Definitely a must-see.

Rating:
Summary: classic romantic comedy
Review: Sandra Bullock never has, and probably never will again, been able to top herself here in this now-classic romantic comedy. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING is an endearing, romantic delight which only improves with multiple viewings.

Sandra Bullock plays Lucy, a lonely subway worker who is infatuated with a man she has only admired from afar - Peter (Peter Gallagher). When Peter is attacked on the platform by some thieves, she saves his life when he falls onto the tracks.

At the hospital, she is mistaken for his fiancee, and so begins the hilarious web of deception spun by Lucy in order to spend more time with Peter's enchanting, goofy family. However, Lucy has now taken a liking to Jack (Bill Pullman), Peter's roguish brother. What will happen when Peter awakens? If you haven't yet discovered this little gem, then I recommend that you buy it today!

Also featuring Jack Warden, Glynis Johns, Monica Keena and Peter Boyle.

Rating:
Summary: Kitty¿ rich kitty
Review: This is one of those movies that can be watched over and again. First time you anticipate what is going to happen. Second time you see where they are setting you up. After a while you can imagine the seen from the sound. Back to the movie.
There is a nice story line and it is just in the believable. However it is the many small scenes that make you relay enjoy watching. When Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is confronted in Peter's apartment, Jack his brother is already suspicious of her. Peter's real girlfriend Ashley left her cat there. Lucy says she is just there to feed the cat, Jack smugly says that Peter has no cat. About that time what should come around the corner but the cat. Every time Jack thinks he has the upper hand, Lucy has a plausible explanation. I do not want to say too much, as it is fun to watch for the first time. However I think you will be able to relate the scene where the family is talking in the church.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely cute
Review: What makes "While you were sleeping" special is a hard question to answer.It is a typical example of romantic comedies,which means we get to see tons more every year with incredibly similar scripts.But this movie will always have a unique place for me.

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is a subway worker who is infatuated with a guy she doesn't know anything about.One day she saves his life,but the guy is comatosed and Lucy is mistaken as his fiancee by the guy's family.She wants to tell them the truth,but can't,as the family offers her the love that was missing in her life.To add more to the puzzle,begins a romantic interest between Lucy and the brother of the comatosed fiancee.

Sandra Bullock has always been known for her sweet smile and warm acting style,but I think she was at her best in that area in While You Were Sleeping.She is not the best actress around for sure,but I can not think of another person who would be a better fit for this role.Bill Pullman also pulls a nice performance and they have a nice chemistry throughout the whole movie.The story is not the best we have seen,quite predictible at times,but it is pretty funny and never ever gets you bored.

This is the best of Bullock.Don't miss it..

Rating:
Summary: A fun romantic comedy
Review: This is such a cute movie. Its a modern classic! I'd definately reccomend it to anyone, I can watch this movie over and over again. Just because its so good! The cast is so amazing. Lucy saves a guy's life, a guy that she has a crush on but never actually talked to! Anyway, at the hospital they mistake her for being his fiancee, and one thing just leads to another, until she meets his brother Jack and begins to fall in love with him...