While You Were Sleeping (1995)

A hopelessly romantic Chicago Transit Authority token collector is mistaken for the fiancée of a coma patient.

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writers:

Daniel G. Sullivan, Fredric Lebow (as Fredric LeBow)

Stars:

Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sandra Bullock	...	Lucy
Bill Pullman	...	Jack
Peter Gallagher	...	Peter
Peter Boyle	...	Ox
Jack Warden	...	Saul
Glynis Johns	...	Elsie
Micole Mercurio	...	Midge
Jason Bernard	...	Jerry
Michael Rispoli	...	Joe Jr.
Ally Walker	...	Ashley Bacon
Monica Keena	...	Mary
Ruth Rudnick	...	Wanda
Marcia Wright	...	Celeste
Dick Cusack	...	Dr. Rubin
Thomas Q. Morris	...	Man in Peter's Room

Storyline

Nursing a secret and hopeless crush on the handsome commuter who passes her booth every day, the charming loner and Chicago "L" ticket seller, Lucy, is about to have a second chance at love. During one seemingly ordinary Christmas shift, Lucy witnesses the object of her desire falling off the platform, and in one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions, she saves him from certain death, only to be mistaken for his fiancée at the hospital. As Lucy enjoys the unexpected stroke of good luck, unable to tell the truth to his welcoming family, unforeseen romantic affairs further complicate matters. Now, the comatose patient's suspicious brother, Jack, thinks he's onto something. Will Lucy face the consequences of what happened while the beautiful stranger was sleeping?

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Plot Keywords:

loneliness | unconventional romance | holiday season | single woman | secret admirer | 

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Taglines:

A story about love at second sight.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Spader and Dylan McDermott were considered for the role of Jack Callaghan.

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Goofs

When Jack and Lucy are walking by the riverfront and Jack tells Lucy she needs a better coat, they are close to the kissing couple by the light post. As the camera zooms in closer their position changes further back on the sidewalk. They reach the kissing couple for the second time about 30 seconds later.

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Quotes

Midge Callaghan: [Lucy has come to the Callahan's for Christmas and is sitting on the front steps talking to Saul] Lucy? You came? Oh this is great! Hi, Saul! Hey, come on in, you two, it's freezing out here. Elsie made her egg nog.
Saul: [whispers to Lucy] A word to the wise - drink soda.

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Alternate Versions

In the video release, the scene when Jack offers to drive Lucy to Celeste's party is shortened. When shown in theaters, you see them get into the truck, drive less than a block, and then get back out.

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Connections

Referenced in Fresh Off the Boat: Driving Miss Jenny (2017)

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Soundtracks

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Music by Jule Styne
Performed by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
Courtesy of Laserlight Digital
by arrangement with Source/Q

User Reviews

Flawless movie!!!

While You Were Sleeping is almost flawless. The storyline is funny but at the same time dramatic. Sandra Bullock plays Lucy, a lonely el worker with no family at all. She sees this guy get mugged and pushed on the train tracks and she jumps on and saves his life. She follows him to the hospital, where it is mistaken that she is the man's fiance. She gets thrust into the family who accepts her with open arms. However, problems arise when she starts to fall in love with the brother of her "fiance". This movie is perfectly cast with Brilliant performances by Bullock and Bill Pullman who plays the brother. The have great chemistry and just subtly looks and gestures towards each other during the whole movie add towards the sexual tension between them. I have not met anyone who doesnt like this movie and it has become one of my favorites. You can watch it a million times and never get tired of it. ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 April 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Coma Guy

Filming Locations:

Lake Point Tower, 505 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,288,915, 23 April 1995

Gross USA:

$81,057,016

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$182,057,016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Caravan Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1