The Family Man (2000)

A fast-lane investment broker, offered the opportunity to see how the other half lives, wakes up to find that his sports car and girlfriend have become a mini-van and wife.

Director:

Brett Ratner

Writers:

David Diamond, David Weissman

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle

4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cage	...	Jack Campbell
Téa Leoni	...	Kate Reynolds
Don Cheadle	...	Cash
Jeremy Piven	...	Arnie
Saul Rubinek	...	Alan Mintz
Josef Sommer	...	Peter Lassiter
Makenzie Vega	...	Annie Campbell
Jake Milkovich	...	Josh Campbell
Ryan Milkovich	...	Josh Campbell
Lisa Thornhill	...	Evelyn Thompson
Harve Presnell	...	Big Ed
Mary Beth Hurt	...	Adelle
Amber Valletta	...	Paula
Francine York	...	Lorraine
Ruth Williamson	...	Betty Peterson

Storyline

A modern-day Frank Capra story. Jack Campbell, a successful and talented businessman, is happily living his single life. He has everything, or so he thinks. One day he wakes up in a new life where he didn't leave his college girlfriend for a London trip. He's married to Kate, lives in Jersey and has two kids. He, of course, desperately wants his life back for which he has worked 13 years for. He's president of P. K. Lassiter Investment House and not a tire salesman at Big Ed's. He drives a Ferrari and not a mini-van that never starts. And most importantly he doesn't wake up in the morning with kids jumping on the bed. After a bad start, day by day he's more confident in his new life and starts to see what he's been missing. Turns out money's good to have but that's not everything.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | parallel universe | career man | reflection | crisis of conscience | 

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Taglines:

¿Qué pasaría si tuvieras una segunda oportunidad? (Mexico)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sensuality and some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the movie, Jack sings "La donna è mobile" from the Giueseppe Verdi opera 'Rigoletto'. In the opera, the song is sung by a womanizing duke who describes women as flighty and untrustworthy, when in actuality the duke is the flighty and untrustworthy one. This is similar to how Jack is at the start of the film: a wealthy, irresponsible philanderer who is blind to his own flaws.

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Goofs

Jack Campbell said "We have a full day of market trading" on Dec 24th but the stock and bond markets always close early, stocks a half day & bonds one hour later.

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Quotes

Annie: They did a pretty good job.
Jack: Who did?
Annie: The aliens, in the mothership. You look just like him.

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Crazy Credits

As actor Robert Downey Sr.'s name scrolls up the screen during the credits, the words "(a prince)" appear next to it. This happens in other movies in which he appears.

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Alternate Versions

A scene with Paul Sorvino was filmed but edited out of the final cut. The scene can be seen on the deleted scenes section of the DVD.

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Connections

Referenced in Unsolved Mysteries: Mystery on the Rooftop (2020)

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Soundtracks

This Could Be Heaven
Written by Seal/D. Palmer/Henry Jackman/G. Gershoni
Performed by Seal
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

User Reviews

Constant entertainment generated by amazing chemistry among actors and heart warming insight to what devoting yourself to family really brings

I love this move so much that it's not easy for me write an objective review. So I'll write a subjective one. A sort of a panegyric.

I've seen this movie a couple of times. The last time I watched it was with a soon-to-get-married friend. I insisted on watching it. He was later thankful for it. I really believe this movie can improve your relationship with a romantic partner.

I don't think anyone could've played Jack Campbell better than Nicolas Cage. He appeared funny to me even when that clearly wasn't his aim. The chemistry between Lea Leoni and Nicolas is amazing. It's as if this movie was based on their actual relationship. Jeremy Piven has done a great job playing Arnie - the buddy guy! The Family man is one of the rare movies which highlight the not-so-nice side of success and being on top in contrast to happiness and fulfillment family brings.

Writers David Weissman and David Diamond didn't leave anything out when it comes to portraying the world in which parents live. How do you raise your kids, do a full time job, maintain relationship with friends, do household business, every night take your dog for walk, and, most importantly, build a great relationship with your spouse? Wouldn't all that business take away the time necessary to build THE career and life's comfort? We might think we don't need all of the above.

And that's exactly what Jack Campbell had thought as well.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 December 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Family Man

Filming Locations:

Closter, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,554,960, 24 December 2000

Gross USA:

$75,793,305

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$124,745,083

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Beacon Communications, Riche-Ludwig Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1