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?

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

A story about love at second sight.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Matthew McConaughey auditioned to play Jack. Later, he and Sandra Bullock starred in A Time to Kill (1996).

---

Goofs

As Lucy is pulling Jack up from the ice, Lucy's scarf is on her neck. The next shot shows the scarf in her right hand. The scarf then returned to her neck in the following shot.

---

Quotes

Midge Callaghan: These potatoes are so creamy. Mary mashed them.

---

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.

---

Connections

Referenced in Atop the Fourth Wall: All-Star Comics #8 (2011)

---

Soundtracks

Merry Merry Christmas
Written and Performed by KoKo Taylor
Courtesy of Alligator Records

User Reviews

Subversively calming

It's a screw-ball romantic comedy worthy of all of the heritage of the genre.

Having said that, it's also a pleasant antidote to war porn masquerading as "high art" and to actual porn, because it's a wonderful reflection on the importance of kindness in the world.

Sandra Bullock is delightful, 'natch. Bill Pullman is enchanting, and Peter Gallagher is... engaging... as a man in a coma.

Watch this is you just want to find a speck of decency in a scary world.

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