just watch it!

A Major Disappointment

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

I rated this film 6/10 because I agree with some of its messages. It's about a man who seems pretty happy with what he has, thinking he has all he needs. But the film sets out to prove him wrong by showing him exactly what he's been missing out on since he got on that plane and dumped his girlfriend 13 years ago.It's all about compromise, and choosing the best option for your life. He learns he should choose love over personal needs because you can't have it both ways and life isn't perfect. He understands having a messy home and two screaming kids and a job he doesn't like isn't the end of the world as long as you love the person you're with. I understand where this was going because in reality, you also can't have everything and you need to make changes when life gives you lemons and everything sure doesn't turn out exactly like you planned.On the other side, the film is telling you you should be happy being poor as long as you've got the love. You should be happy settling for less than you want because it's okay, that's life and you're an empty person if you're rich, single and happy with it. It's being judgemental towards Jack's life in the first minutes of the movie, which is how a lot of people actually live and like it..

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.

Family Man (2000): Dir: Brett Ratner / Cast: Nicolas Cage, Tea Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven, Makenzie Vega: Depressing version of It's a Wonderful Life where an individual who is not family becomes family. It stars Nicolas Cage as a financial executive who is given a glimpse of his life had he married his college girlfriend. He encounters an angel who just happens to be pulling a gun at the corner store. Could this really be one of God's angels? Holding up convenient stores just doesn't seem ideal. Anyway, Cage claims that he is satisfied with his current life but the angel sends him into the life he never had, which included marriage, children and suburban life. It's a Wonderful Life gains its points by being pleasant, while this modern day version is watered down with its pushy theme and an ending that doesn't work because Cage is expressing experiences that Leoni never lived. Interesting choice by director Brett Ratner who previously had success with Rush Hour. Fine chemistry between Cage and Tea Leoni that works better than anything else in the film. Don Cheadle's angel is a distraction as this warped angel that is perhaps the single worst element of the film. Message stresses the importance of family but it only feels like a modern remake of a film that is far more wonderful. Watch the far superior It's a Wonderful Life and see the difference. Score: 4 / 10

I rated this movie a 10! And it may be the most undeserving 10 on my list. But it is up there! It is just so refreshing! So watchable!This movie is just sooooo awesome! Nick Cage makes this movie a hit! Just wow! Now I understand why he is such a big name in Hollywood! He is just full of charisma! The plot is amazing! Casting is great. Maybe Tea Leoni was a weak link but still good enough to keep the movie a masterpiece.Some clichés , but I like this movie so much I just overlook them. Haha. Well, clichés are clichés for a reason I guess. They work. Also, this is a feel good movie! A movie that challenges your moral values. That makes you look into what is really important! I love it!Highly recommended!Real rating: 9.4MY RATING SYSTEM:9.35 - 10 = rating 10 ***** 8.6 - 9.3 = rating 9 ***** 7.8 - 8.5 = rating 8 ***** 7.0 - 7.7 = rating 76.0 - 7.0 = 6 5.0 - 6.0 = 5 4.0 - 5.0 = 4 3.0 - 4.0 = 3 2.0 - 3.0 = 2 1.0 - 2.0 = 1