Family Man (2000)

Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) is the quintessential Wall Street shark, scoring killer deals by day and shallow escort sex by night. His round-the-clock routine of empty luxuries is disturbed one lonely Christmas Eve when a gun-packing punk (Don Cheadle)--perhaps an angel of mercy--responds to an altruistic gesture from Jack by giving him "a glimpse" of the life he could have had. Could have, that is, if he had married the girlfriend (Téa Leoni) he'd abandoned 13 years earlier, raised two adorable children, worked in his father-in-law's retail tire outlet, and lived happily ever after in suburban New Jersey. Thrust into this "glimpse" of the path not taken, Jack's a single-malt man in a lite-brew world, wondering if he'll ever return to his "better" life of callous wealth and solitude--or if he even wants to.

Carp all you want about this derivative premise, with its marginal stereotypes and biased embrace of domestic bliss and dirty diapers. The simple fact is, The Family Man works like a charm. Under the assured direction of Brett Ratner (Rush Hour), this holiday crowd-pleaser offers comedy and chemistry in equal measure, making the hilarity of Jack's predicament a smooth catalyst for that rarest of movie romances: the marital love story. Leoni is Cage's perfect match as Jack's idealized but imperfect wife, and the movie's appeal largely derives from its awareness that any life has its pleasures and pains. While it only flirts with the dark desperation that makes It's a Wonderful Life a classic predecessor, The Family Man is an irresistible what-if fantasy, and even its debatable ending rides on a wave of genuine warmth and sentiment. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

4H: Heartwarming, Humorous, Heartbreaking, and Hopeful.

The Family Man (directed by Brett Ratner) is a film of superb quality, acting, and storyline. It centers around a man named Jack Cambell (played by Nicholas Cage), a man who has chosen a path of monetary success instead of marrying his college girlfriend Kate (played by Téa Leoni). After thirteen years since this decision (during which time he has become the president of a major investment firm), he unknowingly meets an angel (played by Don Cheadle). Jack is given what the angel calls a `glimpse' ----in his case, a chance to see what his life had been like if he had married Kate. During this experience, he finds out what is truly important in life. He finds what he has given up, and how empty his life truly is. And at the end, he finds that it still might not be too late to change his ways.
As we follow Jack on his adventure, we are treated to excellent cinematography, directing, acting, and a beautiful score composed by Danny Elfman. This is an excellent film that will touch the entire family.

Ryan Robledo
Author of the Aelnathan: December 24, 2008

My Favorite Movie

I have to say that this is my all-time favorite movie. It's a beautiful romantic movie, and it reminds one of what's truly important in life. Though not specifically a Christmas film, it's great to watch around the holidays. It's very well-written, the acting is great, and it's funny and entertaining. This film is destined to become a classic. I highly recommend it for the whole family. November 22, 2008

First experience, FAST service!

This was my first ever experience with Amazon.com, and I must say they left a VERY good impression! Family man is a VERY good movie for all the family. a MUST see for any Nicolas Cage fan! You will not be dissappointed. September 24, 2008

Quite engaging.

The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni is an entertaining and realistic love story between two people who are destined to be together but in a different life. Cage and Leoni have great chemistry and you believe they are meant to be as husband and wife. Cage plays a work hog who gets a chance to see what his life would have been if he married his past true love. I really like this film and the holidays will be here soon, so why wait order this under-rated gem today! September 15, 2008

Great movie - good life lessons

My wife loved this movie and I liked it too. The Ferrari scene was good, but more time should have been spent showing the Ferrari sliding around on the winterized streets of New York. Oh, and the life lessons are good - about missed opportunities and such. It's A Wonderful Life retold - with a Ferrari.

Cheers September 11, 2008

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