| Product: |
The Family Man (DVD) |
| Date: |
31/03/09 (27 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: thought provoking
Disadvantages: not amazing acting
WHAT IS IT ABOUT:
Successful businessman Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage) is happy living the rich single life when a magical encounter sees him enter an alternative reality, where his old girlfriend is now his wife, and he has two kids and a crappy job. As Jack does everything within his power to re-earn his old life, he comes to question which is the most important to him.
IS IT ANY GOOD:
I would love to tell you this film is rubbish, because the premise is so wet and soppy that surely it can't be any good, but it's great! For many reasons, this film is a winner for me.
First off, there aren't many films these days with a strong moral or message behind them: The Family Man is different. At its heart, this film is a poignant look at what we value in life. For myself, I have to say it made me re-assess just what's important, and there aren't many films that do that!
The supernatural, magical element to the film allows for some great comic moments, as well as the element of the unknown coming into the film, which keeps it fresh and exciting.
Nicolas Cage gives his typecast emotionally lacking character performance (why does he whisper everything), and I have to say it's not the acting that powers the film but the plot. The child actors do a good job for once, giving authentic performances, and this has to be the first time I've not found Tia Leoni to be annoying.
At 125 minutes, it's relatively long by today's standards, but it's also pretty unpredictable, and keeps you guessing the whole way through.
If you liked it: Cage's latest outing 'Knowing' is another film that has a poignant and thought provoking message behind it, centred on the family again as this one is.
In conclusion, an unpredictable, often funny film that causes you to take stock of where you are in life.
Summary: watch it
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