’It Could Happen to You’ is a romantic comedy that is better than most of the run-of-the-mill flicks of the genre. There are many reasons that makes me recommend it to a friend who is in the mood for some light-hearted entertainment, especially laden with the Yuletide spirit to enjoy during the Christmas weekend. Though the film is purportedly based on a real-life incident, it is driven by the conventions of a breezy romance. But it is the script and the dialogues that make it an endearing film. The characters are interesting for being down-to-earth and, in spite of seeming straight out of a modern day fairy-tale, they can easily be associated with. Nicolas Cage is Charlie Lang, the good Samaritan cop who decides to share the winnings on a lottery ticket with a hard-on-luck waitress named Yvonne Biasi, played by Bridget Fonda, as he doesn’t have the cash to pay her a tip. As expected (by us viewers, not the protagonists) the ticket bags the prize and against much resentment put forth by Charlie’s wife (played by Rosie Perez), Yvonne is gifted half the booty, that is two million dollars. Bridget Fonda wins all our sympathy as the sweet heroine who initially dreamt of becoming an actress and had only been struggling to make ends meet as a waitress (she says, ’’I got the -tress part right’’) at a diner and suffering the pig of a husband (played to perfection by Stanley Tucci). Nicolas Cage is the consummate actor essaying the role of Charlie with elan. Things start heating up between the two in no time just as things turn souring between Charlie & his wife, who keeps viciously scheming to divorce Charlie, grabbing not just Charlie’s share but Yvonne’s too. Seymour Cassel plays a schemer of sorts with his eyes on the money, who keeps tempting the unsuspecting wife of Charlie. The happy end for the true romantics, Charlie & Yvonne, is too syrupy with the entire city chipping to help the distressed couple, but what else can one ask for! The film, made in 1994, by Andrew Bergman is shown frequently on the cable circuit and is also easily available on VCDs and DVDs, so one can just catch it any which way; watching this sweet flick would be a nice way to unwind & relax this winter.