Rating: 
Summary: A sparkle to a common theme
Review: The plot has been done before, such as in Sliding Doors, Me, Myself and I, etc. I liked those movies and I liked this movie. There was a shine a charisma, in the acting. I liked the way Cage personalized his role. I could really feel the realness of Tea's character. I also loved seeing Jeremy Piven in a supporting role. He could be a main character, he has the charm and wit that it takes. Remember Cupid, if you didn't see it, what a shame!!! Anyways, this movie helped me to pull out of the doldums. I wanted to stop being narcisstic and focusing on just me and share postive feelings with others. This movie did a good job at showing this. Connection with others instead of just about yourself and your needs. I could forego the everyday routine of the same thing over and over. I would want difference in my life but with the same members, some adventure. They really didn't show that happening in his alternate life as a family man. Well, the movie has a sparkle and some good acting. Lisa Nary
Rating: 
Summary: "It's A Wonderful Life!" Classic
Review: There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love dogs and those who don't. That's the only way to make sense out of why there exists folks who do not absolutely love this movie. I have a Masters in Communications - Cinema (shameless plug, sorry), and this is said only for perspective on my forthcoming comments. You see, you don't need another review describing the storyline or the incredible performances turned in my Mr. Cage (he was perfection) and his perfectly cast supporting players (Tea Leoni is stunning; Jeremy Piven is a hoot). What is needed is a statement of why there exists in the world people who may not like this film. And it's for the same reasons they would not like "It's A Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story" and any other film that requires being VULNERABLE and HONEST to admit that deep down you are broken, hurting, and are truly NOT in control of your universe and you're (maybe) made at God about it. The honest folks (who love dogs, by the way) simply "get it." The ones who have to survive by never getting in touch with deep emotion and pain inside will, tragically, never experience what is truly important and purposeful and genuine in life. This is not an indictment of these folks. Just an observation. Artistically and technically, this is one of the most flawlessly executed films I know of. It rates with director Martin Brest's 1988 "Midnight Run" in terms of the delicate balance of laughter and tears, outlandish scenario made believable, characters so lovable BECAUSE of their vulnerability in admitting they are messed up and need help ... The casting of De Niro opposite Grodin is a masterstroke, and (with the deft hand of Brest) both completely understand their characters "makeup" and interaction. The same can be said of Cage in 'The Family Man.' It's difficult to think of anyone else being able to capture so peculiarly a dispositioned dude who is caught in a dichotomy of realities. Just perfection. And director Brett Ratner exhibits the same deft understanding of story and character in his handling of this delicate setup. In fact, Ratner's complete understanding of this material is evidenced by his statement (in accompanying interview) that he would accept no one other than Cage to play this role. He was right. 'The Family Man,' like ALL of the aforementioned films, is timeless, classic, masterful work BECAUSE it is honest enough to deal (cushioned with humor) with the pain that is so deep within all of us, and do so with finely-honed technique. Dog lovers--UNITE!
Rating:
Summary: Almost perfect romantic comedy
Review: It's not very often these days that I see Hollywood romantic comedy that is not cheesy and that leaves really warm feelings after. This movie is funny, warm, smart and has a great acting. That Nicolas Cage is good comes as no suprise, but Tea Leoni was also very very good. While some may find the premise of the movie (happy family life vs goal oriented career pursuit) a little bit over simplistic it somehow doesn't spoil anything. Highly recommended!!
Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE IS VERY UNDERATED!!! AWESOME!!!
Review: I went to my local dvd rental store & saw this movie for rent & I thoought, ah what the heck Nicholas Cage it's gotta be all right. It was Awesome how he lives as if he had done something different in his life. It reminded me of It's A Wonderful Life. Not to say that this movie & that are in the same class but, this movie is definently a must see!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Rating:
Summary: family fun and entertainment!
Review: I have watched this movie twice and would like to watch it again. It is one of my favorites. Imagine if you have a 2nd chance in real life. Would that be nice? This movie is almost like "Mr. Destiny" with James Belushi, Michael Caine and Linda Hamilton or "It's a Wonderful Life" with James Stewart and Donna Reed, but a little different plot.
Rating:
Summary: Family man, more than a movie, it's a job title.
Review: There are more than enough reviews listed here to tell the story of the powerful and wealthy businessman that gets a chance to view life as it might have been. The life he should have chosen, but he charged after money influence and a feeling of power one may know through wealth. The movie was fun and reasonably enjoyable, but what I took from it was something deeper. A man has a responsibility to his wife and children. When you marry and father children, you have traded not who you are but the priorities of what you're about. Too many people confuse the trade off with some kind of loss of identity. Nic Cage's character did that! He didn't think he would find satisfaction in love and service. Ultimately, the film character makes the connection. Love is about giving and receiving, but we are responsible for the giving of it. Enjoy the movie, but hopefully we'll all learn the lesson.
Rating:
Summary: Nick Is Funny and Heartwarming. Good Holiday FIlm
Review: The film is a good HOliday treat for the whole family. It is a new twist on the classic film of all time (and my personal favorite of all time) - Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. This one is directed by Brett Ratner (Rush Hour 1 & 2) and tells the tale of a man plaged brilliantly by Nicholas Cage (Ghostriders, Windtalkers, Leaving Las Vegas) - who things he has everything and misses nothing. That invokes intervention by an "angel" played by Don Cheadle (Rush Hour 2, Traffic, Mission To Mars) to show him what he doesn't have and therefore showing him what he is missing. The new twist is that in his new "life" he learns of love and it amazingly down-to-earth performance by Tea Leoni (Deep Impact, Jurrasic Park III) The film is warm and friendly and wonderful to watch. The kids and the aprents will find this story very entertaining. The DVD Extras are really Fun. There is a great gag real of bloopers and the making of the film is very interesting. The commentaries with the director and anopther one with Danny Elfman (Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Big Fish) are charming and insightful. This is a good one to have in your Holiday Collection. (12-10-03)
Rating: 
Summary: Take away Cage's SAG card for this one
Review: I won't belabor the point. I was forced to watch this by my mom
and one of my aunts last Christmas. It was hard to keep from gagging. It would be nice to see Tea Leoni play a decent character someday. Cage - what can you say? Snake Eyes, City Of Angels, Bringing Out The Dead, and this piece of (euphemism for
excrement). He sure can pick 'em, can't he? A simply wretched film, there is absolutely no other way to describe it. Manipulative, embarrassing, patronizing. GARBAGE!
Rating:
Summary: A movie every husband should watch!
Review: "The Family Man" is a Hollywood fantasy that has been done in variation many times in the past. What makes this one so different, in my opinion, is that it speaks to husbands today about what we so easily forget. Wealth, influence, power, sex, adultery, etc.... all the things men fantasize for, are shown for what they really are when slapped in the face by an eye opening "reality". It moved me as a man of 40 to consider how empty all those items of lust really are compared to a faithful wife, the hugs of a child, and the security only found in true friendship with another man. We so easily look past the reality because it seems so ho-hum compared to the fantasies we are bombarded with every day.
In this movie, we see all sides of this from the perspective of Jack Campbell. From Forbes 400 member to bowling league Jersey family man, he experiences two lives. When he realizes how shallow his life has been, he is desperate to keep the ho-hum we all take for granted.
I think women would love this because it is an intensely romantic movie, in the truest sense of the term. I think it would be wise for wives to have their husband watch it with them. After the movie, there will be a lot of opportunity to talk over tough subjects the film raises. It's a movie that can open wounds, but also provides a warm means to healing. It will make a man think, I know. It worked for me, and my wife is glad for it!
Rating:
Summary: NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS
Review: For years It's A Wonderful Life set the standard not only for Christmas movies but for movies that ask the lingering question: What would life be like had taken this turn...? Capra was the master of the genre and James Stewart was his classic time traveler. Family Man seems to take up things where Capra left off and Nicholas Cage steps capably into Stewart's shoes. Don't think that this movie is just for the holidays. Isn't it interesting that all of the very best holiday stories teach lessons that are as applicable on the Fourth of July as they are on Christmas Eve? It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, Home Alone and While You Were Sleeping all have overt holiday themes but invite the viewer to live throughout the year as though life mattered and went beyond holidays. The Family Man is just such a movie. Christmas just happens to be a minor prop in a story about integrity, priorities and love. Buy it today and watch it on Labor Day and then again on your mother-in-law's birthday and again on Halloween and...regardless of the day you'll love it!
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