What if... (The Family Man (DVD))

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Product:	The Family Man (DVD)
Date:	10/02/02 (9 review reads)
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Nicholas Cage is the family man - or is he?

This is a though provoking and gripping film exploring the question that we all may ask ourselves at some point - what if.

In this particular film Cage gets a glimpse of what could have been should he have chosen love over carear in 1987. a glimpse of the life he could have had.

For starters I wouldn't classify this film as a romantic comedy. Its hard to put The Family Man into one genre, but if I had to pick one it woudnt be either comedy or romance. Drama maybe, but its to general. You'll just have to see the film yourself and make your own mind up about that one.

So heres a basic run down of the plot. Watch out for the spoiler alert later on!

Jack (Nicholas Cage) is the richest man in the building where he works. Hes head of his department, beautiful women falling at his feet and lots of money - you get the picture, Wall Street Fat Cat.

One Christmas Eve on the verge of a huge deal that would make him even more money, Jack recieves a phone call from a long lost girlfriend he left 13 years before at the airport when he chose to go to London instead of her.

Later that evening in a store Jack meets a man who changes his life. Jack manages to stop the man from robbing the store at gun point. Outside Jack asks the man why he needs to carry a gun around and if he needs help - what does he want? The man returns the question and to this Jack informs him he has everything he wants. The man laughs and warns Jack:
'Just remember. You brought everthing, all of this on yourself...'

The next time Jack wakes up, hes in a different life. The life he could have had that if, 13 years ago he had chosen love, and Kate over his carear.

Living in a 4 bedroom house in New Jersey with his wife Kate and 2 kids, Jack gets a glimpse of what could have been...

Ok so dont want to know the end? Then STOP READING NOW!

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Well, obviously Jack is confused by his new life and wants to go back to the life he had.

The very same guy he met in the store and who warned him that he was bringing everthing on himself turns up and explains to him that he is having a glimpse. A glimpse of what?! That, he says, Jack has to work out for himself.

The lions share of the film is Jack coming to grips with this glimpse of what could have been. He learns to love his new life and, god damn it, doesnt want to go back. But he does just when hes beginning to enjoy himself...lifes a b*itch isn't it?

So having woken up in his old bed in his old million dollar apartment he realises what he wants and tracks down Kate. She also is a successful lawyer and is on the verge of moving to Paris. So he leaves her apartment...then just as shes about to leave deciedes hes gonna go after her and so its that good old traditional race against time to get to the airport and stop her...

Which he does. He tells her about what could have been, persuades her to postpone the flight and have a coffee with him...and thats where it ends.

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End of spoiler!

So whats the film actually like I hear you calling - thats all very well but this is an opinion website - we want an opinion!!!

Ok well it is a VERY though provoking film. It leaves you thinking back to stuff you've done and thinking what if...

And parts of it are gripping and very interesting...some parts aren't and can be a bit tedious but overall its a good film.

Tea Lioni who plays Kate is also particularly F.I.N.E. in this film and Nicholas Cage is good as Jack also.

So dont be put off if you saw Romantic Comedy and thought...no. Dont be put off, its a good film for a variety of reasons.

If you saw Romantic Comedy and though yes, that sounds good, dont be put off b
y what I've just said either. Some parts are slightly amusing and there is romance in the movie.

Overall its a good movie which caters for everyones likes. Buy or rent it.

(Oh yeah, and if you get the DVD version you get out takes, the making of the Family Man and more little extras like that.)

Thanks!

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