The Family Man

REVIEW
Sharing more in common with Mr. Destiny than with It's a Wonderful Life for which it so desperately strives, this moderately enjoyable fantasy benefits greatly from a nice turn by Leoni. Cage plays Jack, a very successful Wall Street businessman who awakens on Christmas day to find himself in a parallel life: husband to Kate (Leoni), the woman he left behind 13 years earlier. Trapped in this new existence with no history of his former self, Jack lives out this new life all the while trying to return to his reality. Balancing family comedy, sentimental dramatics and flights of fancy is a tall order, and director Ratner has difficulty in fully realizing and juggling these various tones. What success the film does achieve comes from the genial performances and a cute premise that delivers half of the time.