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The Family Man

The Family Man

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $11.24
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Okay, but lacked anything memorable.
Review: There is nothing bad about this movie. Unfortunately nothing bad does not mean that the movie is really good. There is nothing memorable about this movie. It's a feel good romance. A good choice to watch once with your wife when there's nothing good on TV. If you watch it a second time you'll notice all the plot holes and loose ends. It loses its luster.

What would have really helped this movie along is a little more depth - perhaps additional character development of the little girl Annie who provides the warm humor, but too little of it - or maybe an extra 20 minutes tacked onto the end to resolve (at least partially) some of the dangling plot lines.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another Stellar Performance!
Review: Here, we have yet another stellar performance from the very talented Nicolas Cage. I was blown away by his acting in "Con Air" and "Face Off" (even though those were action movies, they still had their share of drama), and he doesn't fail to blow me away again here. Nicolas Cage has got to be the most talented actor of our time, with the exception of Robin Williams (that guy's like superhuman when it comes to acting). This is a story similar to that of "It's a Wonderful Life", where a man gets to see what his life would be like had he made different choices, except he's not dead, he's married to the girl he left in college, and they have children, and he became a family man, rather than a millionaire. It's very interesting to watch him make the transition (he seems to be good at those kinds of parts), and try to deal with what's going on around him. You really get caught up in the storyline. The concept may seem a little cliche in this day in age, but it's a very interesting story (you can't wait to find out what's going to happen next), and there are a lot of good dramatic scenes. I never cry at movies (I never saw what was so dramatic about "Titanic", I mean come on, that Leo guy can't act to save his life!), but I think I came closer to doing it here than in any movie I've ever seen (well, this and "Forrest Gump"). Tea Leoni is just amazing (I can't believe she's the same person who was in that awful sitcom), and Don Cheadle is really talented, too (although he was barely in the movie). This is easily one of the best movies to come out in a long time, and maybe one of the best movies ever (my favorite is still "Forrest Gump", but this could become number two). If you see one more movie in your life, make it this one. It is really great.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What Is Most Important In Life?
Review: 'The Family Man' tackles the tough question of what should be of top priority to a person's existence. The movie is done well, with solid directing, acting, and a wonderful score by Danny Elfman. It gets its message across by telling the story, *not* by being preachy, and manages to provide a convincing "change-of-character" for Jack Campbell (played by Nicholas Cage).

The movie starts about ten years in the past, with Campbell saying goodbye to his girlfriend Kate (played wonderfully, and with much depth, by Tea Leoni). He is going to London to further his education/career. She does not want him to go, opting for them to simply "be together". He ends up going. Flash forward to the present, where Jack Campbell is now the second-in-command of a highly successful corporation. He and Kate are long since history, and his "companionship" basically exists with the "woman of the hour", so to speak. He even insists that his employees work on Christmas Day. He is all about the dollar. Through a somewhat muddled plot development, he is taken from this life, and placed into another one - one where he has been married to Kate for ten years, and they live in a Jersey suburb with kids, and *not* a ton of money.

I must admit to completely agreeing with the point which 'Family Man' is trying to make - that people, especially loved ones and family, are the most important things in life - not how much money you make, or what kind of car you drive, or that you live in a posh penthouse. During the months that Campbell lives this "alternative life", he learns to embrace it for its warmth and love, and many of the scenes between Cage and Leoni are touching and sweet. When it is time, inevitably, for the Campbell character to return to his "normal life", he of course doesn't want to go. I won't reveal how it ends, but I *will* say that it is one of the more skeptical points of the film.

'The Family Man' is a very well put-together movie, and I love its underlying themes, but I can not give it five stars, due to a few plot points. The weak areas concern the scenario in which Campbell is granted his glimpse of the "alternative life", the method in which he attempts to get-in at the corporation while in this "alternative life", and the ending. The other problem is this: though the movie (and I) believe that in order to be truly happy you have to focus on family and friends, to love and to be loved, I know that there are *many* people out there who are *very* happy without a family, finding their passions filled with their work (career or otherwise). What's good for some isn't always good for others.

So, taking everything into consideration, I can not give the film a *total* green light. But, otherwise, it is a wonderful movie, with much heart, and an earnest message.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Far Deeper than it seems
Review: The Family Man,starring nick cage,t'ea leoni and more is a Wonderful film that preserves the sentiments,blending humor and Drama of the highest degree. Actually,unlike the other oppinion written here,the ending left Me quite depressed and even sad.... Nick is as great as usuall,Tea is just amazing!!!as one other person wrote,I too wanted her to be my wife.More that that:I had Made a scheme for David duchovny(whom i like very much as an actor)to marry Gilian anderson(also a favorite:actor and woman) And i will get amazing tea(with her children).she is just so Beautiful!now to the point;the level of darkness here is not Evident to anybody but nevertheless exists,with Cash portrayed by the fine Don Cheadle,as he forces a 'glimpse' on jack and than Painfully removing him from what became evidentally his natural Surroundings.The movie provides us with a tool to check our life and the decisions we made in them,comprising the results we live By today.Drama and some comedy intertwined with life as it might be make this movie,directed well by the way,by the tallented Brett Ratner,a marc abraham production.DVD version is excellent, Filled with great extra's and wonderfull music.Buy it now!!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: I fell asleep
Review: C'mon - could this movie be any more predictable? Even my girlfriend fell asleep. Complete waste of time.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Family Man is a fabulous film!
Review: This was a surprisingly good film. Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni were believable in their roles. This was a well done film. I enjoyed watching it. It was endearing and sweet.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Warm, heart-warming and not overly done, what a treat!
Review: Although I didn't find this movie to be among my absolute favorites ever, it was still a delight to watch. Nicholas Cage has the courage to take on roles that don't seem suited to him and then make them work for him. This time around, he's an ambitious executive, so committed that he works straight through Christmas (and expects his employees to do the same). Then, in a sudden twist of fate, he gets a chance to see what his life would be like if he'd married his college sweetheart. I didn't expect to like this one, not particularly impressed by either the promos or word of mouth. But I found this one suprisingly believable with plenty of action and a nice chemistry between Cage and Tea Leoni. There's plenty of humor, too and even the child actors do a great job in their roles. Cage is great as the exec who has a hard time accepting a lower class life than the one he'd had, not to mention the additional responsibilities of being a husband and father, not exactly something you can learn overnight. As time goes on and he sees all he's missed by living life in the fast lane, he undergoes a change but it isn't a quick one. It is a growing realization that evolves quite realistically, slowly, even in fits and starts. The ending of this one may surprise you as it isn't exactly what you'd expect - no nice neat, packaged ending.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pretty Good.
Review: "The Family Man" as a film wasn't too bad, or nothing earth-shattering at the same time. There are a lot of fun parts spread throughout the movie, and the acting is above par for all. The only thing that gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the ending. The ending could have been a little bit more fulfilling.

With that said, the rest of the film is a sure treat for all. The little kids in the film are so adorable, and when they're gone, you wish they were back. It's amazing how well the little girl acted in this movie. As far as the stars go, Nicolas Cage delivered the goods as he always does. Tea Leoni did a surprisingly well job. Don Cheadle stood out like he does in every film he ever stars in. The acting is on with bascially every actor in the film. There's no complaining about the acting in the one.

The DVD is also a pleaser. If your a fan of the film, this one's for you. The DVD is packed full of extras as Universal always does. The film: 4 stars; the DVD: 5 stars.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: What might have been...
Review: is the theme for a touching picture directed by Brett Ratner, who had not distinguished himself in film making before this little gem.

Nicholas Cage is all too believable as both the successful arbitrage shark and his "what might have been" self, an everyman sales manager in suburban New Jersey with a wife, two kids, and, as neighborhood pal Jeremy Piven puts it..."4 bedrooms & 2 1/2 baths".

Not a comedy (although the DVD jacket lists it as "Hilarious!"), the Family Man is a bittersweet look at how a life can take different directions, and how many of us fall into our paths, rather than make deliberate decisions. A play on "A Christmas Carol", right down to the time of year, the movie pulls no punches about the day to day difficulty of raising two kids on two incomes and how the sameness of the days is not really appreciated unless you are on the outside looking in.

Cage gives a strong performance, and is likeable in either lifestyle, although his Ferrari fits him better than does his mini-van. Tea Leoni is a revelation...she plays Kate as a practical, funny young mom and lover...in certain scenes she is radiant. Her line..."I choose us" resounds through the movie and the audience is drawn to her, particularly in the morning anniversary scene, the exhausting trip to the mall, and the fight over the chocolate cake.

Don Cheadle adds to every movie he makes, whether in a dramatic ("Traffic") role, or a comedic cameo, as he does here. Also particularly charming is Cage's boss and the youngster who plays his daughter.

The special features are grand...commentary, particularly from Danny Elfman, outtakes and the Hi Jack Montage are all outstanding. The camera is crisp and brilliant in New York City, and contrasts New Jersey with the tackiness of local spots such as the bowling alley and signage at Bloomies and Big Ed's.

A successful effort in DVD, and definitely worth a watch!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Entertainment
Review: The movie was amusing and has one of those plots that of course entices viewers. Who doesn't wonder sometimes just what life would be like if we took a different turn, made a different choice. Of course, given that, there is a pretty good chance that you'll enjoy the movie. And if you do like this sort of plot, watch Sliding Doors starring Gwenyeth Paltrow - similar idea - much more interestingly done.

Good points: good visuals, interesting plot, entertaining screenplay.

Bad points: Long movie. A bit dragged out in the end. On a personal note, I disagree with the ending.


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