Introduction ~~
I suppose you could describe the Family Man as a “feel-good” film that adds a hint of drama, comedy and surprise. But for some reason the film seems to lack that little touch of magic that would have made it a hit. True it did reasonable at the cinema but it’s a film that can be so easily forgotten. There’s nothing special about it, its just another cheesy Hollywood romantic film that relies on the services of Nicholas Cage and not on its script or storyline. Its relying on people thinking “ooah Nicholas Cage is in that, I’ll go see that” instead of “ooah that sounds an interesting story.” And unfortunately too many film-goers are like that and I include myself. Oh well that’s my totally irrelevant introduction over.
Story ~~
The story to the Family Man is based on a question we all ask so often in life, well some of us. That question or questions we ask are:
“I wonder where I’d be if I hadn’t of rejected that job.”
“I wonder where I’d be if I hadn’t moved to London.”
Well Jack Campbell a Wall Street high-flier who lives in a posh New York penthouse and drives Ferraris everywhere wonders that question and gets a glimpse of how things could have been so very, very different.
It all starts when Jack does a good deed walking back to his lavish penthouse that he gets his glimpse. He performs his good deed and is promised a glimpse, he goes to bed in his penthouse and wakes up the next day in suburban America on Christmas Day sleeping in a bed next to Kate, the one love of his life he never married.
The middle of the story drifts along rather slowly not really going anywhere in particular but then Jack’s glimpse ends rather abruptly and the viewers are treated to a predictable ending.
I’d say the story in this film is quite good but it has a feel that it was made for kids. The glimpse or flashback; whatever you want to call it feels as if it has been made for a kids film or cartoon. And despite the Family Man being a family film it doesn’t feel appropriate, especially when it wasn’t made for very young children as the film was given a 12 certificate.
Cast ~~
Cage’s performance as Jack Campbell is nothing particularly special and he deserves no award. He adds nothing special to the film despite being the star attraction to it. Tea Leoni meanwhile is very good as sweetheart Kate, its unfortunate director Brett Ratner didn’t make her character more powerful. Don Cheadle stars as Cash and gives a worthwhile performance. Jeremy Piven plays Arnie, Piven is pretty average in the Family Man – his performance in some of his other films has been better.
Certificate
The Family Man was rated a 12 in England for some bad language. Though I can’t really see why this was rated a 12 and not a PG as the swearing in it is rare and not that bad.
Overall ~~
Director Brett Ratner wanted this film to be a feel good Christmas film and he achieves that well. But that’s about as far as it goes, this isn’t the sort of film that will be remembered – its just another family film out of Hollywood. Overall I wouldn’t say this is worth seeing, its nothing special.
Thanks for reading
Cheers
James