THE FAMILY MAN

2000

Finally, a worthy holiday film! Nicholas Cage is a rich Wall Street tycoon who wakes up on Christmas day to find himself not in his Manhattan penthouse, but immersed in a life that he passed up years ago- complete with wife (Tea Leoni- hubba, hubba), a house in New Jersey, two kids and a job as a tire salesman. Of course, we all know what is going to happen as Cage learns to live out this alternate life, but it really doesn't matter because its all in the details. It's funny, it's charming, it's touching and it has just the right bit of cornyness to make it a great holiday film. Cage returns to the kind of role and acting that made him a name. He and Leoni are terrific and Don Cheadle, who just doesn't get enough roles, is terrific in his few appearances. Put this one at the top of your list!

5 Stars

CDF