The Family Man on DVD, Movie Review
Nicholas Cage Stars in a Christmas Movie for Family Night
How can a single, wealthy, Wall Street investment broker become a married, middle class, tire salesman overnight? That’s exactly what Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) wants to know when he wakes up in a life that is not of his own making. Believing he was living a superior lifestyle and had everything he could possibly want or need, fate puts him in the path of Cash (Don Cheadle) the hip, matter of fact angel that realizes the arrogant Jack needs to be taught a lesson. Jack is magically given a glimpse into the world in which he would be living if only he had let his heart rather than his head choose the path for his future.
A Lesson in Second Chances
Jack tries for weeks to get out of his new life where he drives a minivan rather than his sports car, lives in a small home in New Jersey rather than his posh New York penthouse and the money he used to spend in one day must now last for the entire month. However, he also has to get used to his wife (Tea Leoni) who loves him (she was his college sweetheart), two adorable kids, the family dog, neighbors and friends who care about him and family togetherness that he never had as a single man. Jack, not knowing when his “glimpse” will be over, understands the reason he was given a chance to be a part of a life so different from his own. Suddenly, he stops trying to figure out a way to get out and starts trying to figure out a way to stay in.
Another Twist on the Same Movie
The back drop for the movie is during the holiday season, and like It’s a Wonderful Life where George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) gets to live a “what if” life, the film emphasizes the strengths of having family and friends in your life. Like many films, it has a formula and a certain amount of predictability (who didn’t see the ending to It’s a Wonderful Life coming?) but it still works as a warm, holiday film.
Recommendations
Overall The Family Man is good holiday movie. It’s amusing in spots and it tugs at your heart strings a little too.
The cast is well rounded: Don Cheadle as Cash has a small part but he is entertaining. Tea Leoni as Kate Reynolds is great as is Makenzie (too cute) Vega who plays Kate and Jack’s daughter Annie. Nicolas Cage is in his element as the smug, arrogant Jack Campbell.
This film, released in 2000, is rated PG-13 for sensuality and some language, so parents of the very young should take note of the film rating.
Here are a few other Christmas themed DVDs to consider: holiday family movies
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