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:

What if you made different choices? What if you said yes, instead of no? What if you got a second chance?

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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

Details

Official Sites:

Official French Site Official Site (Spanish)

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

22 December 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Family Man

Filming Locations:

Closter, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,104,055, 25 December 2000, Wide Release

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Travolta was at one point set to star.

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Goofs

Kate's hair style is different between shots when she knows Jack did not prepare anniversary gift for her.

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Quotes

Suit Salesman: [as Jack is looking at the suit] It's perfect for your frame. Why don't you try it on.

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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 American Dad!: Hurricane! (2011)

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Soundtracks

One
(uncredited)
Performed by U2
Lyrics by Bono
Music by U2

User Reviews

Loved it.

This is a heart-warming, if somewhat sentimental film at times, but with a superb cast, and very well written. The chemistry between Cage and Leoni is something quite rare - in fact, I can't think of a film with such amazing chemistry between the two leads.

As far as the storyline is concerned, I don't have too much to add to the comments that are already posted. Whatever limitations the film's storyline or premise has, the individual performances rise above it.

In the DVD extras there is an interesting comment by the producer where he says he challenges any man to watch the film and not want to live with Tea Leoni and I must say I wholeheartedly agree with him. To be fair her character is completely idealised (naturally beautiful but unaffected by it, intelligent, insightful, sexy, gracious, humble, caring, unstoppably positive and non-demanding). Have you ever met anyone like this in real life?

I enjoyed this film so much that it just about creeps into my all time top ten. The only reason a romantic comedy made it in there is because the performances and the chemistry elevate the film above any other romantic comedy I have seen, both before and since.