movie review the family man

The Family Man

It’s a funny thing about supernatural movies. The black characters are always the ones with all the insights into the occult, but they never get to be the occulted. Consider Whoopi Goldberg in “ Ghost ,” Will Smith in “The Legend of Bagger Vance” and now Don Cheadle in “The Family Man.” They’re all on good terms with the paranormal, but act only as guides for Demi Moore , Matt Damon , Nicolas Cage , et al. They’re always the medium but never the message.

In “The Family Man,” Cage plays Jack Campbell, a businessman who is ruled by his career. He has no personal life to speak of, works on Christmas Eve and doesn’t even bother to return a phone message from Kate Reynolds ( Tea Leoni ), his girlfriend from college. In 1987, we learn, Jack flew off for a year in London, even though Kate tearfully begged him to stay. She feared if he left, they’d never get married, and she was right.

Now, through the paranormal intervention of a taxi driver (Cheadle) who acts as his guide, or portal, or something, Jack goes to sleep as a wealthy bachelor and awakens in a parallel time-track where apparently he did fly back from London, marry Kate and father two children. He also now has a dog, which is slobbering all over him.

The heart of the movie is his gradual realization that his other life has somehow disappeared, that he’s now a family man, that he has been granted the opportunity to experience all that he missed by putting his career ahead of personal goals. I always wonder, in movies like this, why the hero has been transferred into the alternate life but has retained the original memories–but of course if he had the alternate memories, he wouldn’t know anything had happened.

Tea Leoni (“ Deep Impact ,” “ Flirting With Disaster “) is lovable as the wife, and does a good job of covering the inevitable moments when she must (we think) realize that a stranger is inhabiting her husband’s body. The story takes a sitcom turn, as Jack finds out he works for his father-in-law as a tire salesman and tries to talk his way back into the big money in Manhattan.

I liked the movie, liked Cage, liked Leoni, smiled a lot, and yet somehow remained at arm’s length, because I was having a parallel-life experience of my own. I kept remembering a movie named “ Me Myself I ,” which came out last spring and did a more persuasive and thoughtful job of considering more or less the same plot. In that one, Rachel Griffiths is a workaholic writer who through supernatural intervention is transported into married life with the guy she loved 15 years ago. She suddenly has three children, etc. The two movies even share a plot point: One of the kids is observant, and knows this is not his real parent. “When’s Mommy gonna be home?” asks Griffiths’ character’s son; “You’re not really Daddy, are you?” asks Jack’s daughter.

Why similar movies get made at the same time is a good question. Demi Moore’s “ Passion of Mind ,” from last spring, was about a character shuttling nightly between two lives. And of course another wellspring of “The Family Man” is “ It's a Wonderful Life ,” except that this time the dark version is reality and the warm family world is the fantasy–or whatever it is.

One problem with the underlying plot is, how do you dispose of the family in the alternative world after the supernatural visitor learns his lesson? “Me Myself I” handled that neatly with actual contact between the two versions of the heroine. “The Family Man” doesn’t find a satisfactory resolution: Not that it’s crucial, but it would have been nice. The movie is sweet, light entertainment, but could have been more.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

• Jeremy Piven as Arnie
• Josef Sommer as Lassiter
• Nicolas Cage as Jack Campbell
• Tea Leoni as Kate Reynolds
• Don Cheadle as Cash
• Makenzie Vega as Annie

Directed by

• Brett Ratner
• David Diamond
• David Weissman

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Parents' guide to, the family man.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 5 Reviews
• Kids Say 3 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

Warmhearted tale about second chances; some sex, profanity.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Family Man is a 2000 movie starring Nicolas Cage as a wealthy investment banker who is given the opportunity to experience what his life would have been like had he decided to stay with his college girlfriend instead of going off to London to study economics. The movie has some…

Why Age 13+?

Occasional profanity includes one use of "f--k" as well as "s--t,

Sexual references and situations, including adultery and a one-night stand. A wo

Drinking at parties and at a bowling alley. Lead character drinks booze quickly

In a corner grocery store, a character pulls a gun on the clerks, then points it

Any Positive Content?

A wealthy Wall Street executive learns that love is more important than the acqu

Though he does act self-centered and materialistic throughout the movie, Jack le

Occasional profanity includes one use of "f--k" as well as "s--t," "prick," "hell," "damn," and "crap." Talk of one-night stands, affairs, and how a woman's husband "satisfies" her.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Sexual references and situations, including adultery and a one-night stand. A woman is naked in a shower; the glass and steam mostly cover up her nudity but there's a glimpse of buttocks and breast. A married couple tries to have sex, remains clothed. Open talk between two married characters about having an affair with each other. Lead character shown in his underwear.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Drinking at parties and at a bowling alley. Lead character drinks booze quickly to try to process what has happened to him. He compares it to an "acid trip." Characters turn to liquor to relieve stress, and a character makes a joke about his wife's drinking.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Violence & Scariness

In a corner grocery store, a character pulls a gun on the clerks, then points it at the lead character, threatening to kill him.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

A wealthy Wall Street executive learns that love is more important than the acquisition of material goods.

Positive Role Models

Though he does act self-centered and materialistic throughout the movie, Jack learns to value love, friendship, and the bonds of family over greed and financial success.

Parents need to know that The Family Man is a 2000 movie starring Nicolas Cage as a wealthy investment banker who is given the opportunity to experience what his life would have been like had he decided to stay with his college girlfriend instead of going off to London to study economics. The movie has some mature themes, including adultery and one-night stands. A woman is naked in a shower; the glass and steam mostly cover up her nudity, but there's a glimpse of buttocks and breast. Jack and his wife start to have sex, but when he says something she finds inappropriate, she stops him. A woman suggests an affair, and Jack's friend tells him that it would be disastrous: "Don't screw up your whole life just because you're a little unsure about who you are." The movie does make it clear that loving, married sex is the ideal. Characters turn to liquor to relieve stress, and a character makes a joke about his wife's drinking. There is some strong language, including "s--t" and one use of "f--k." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (5)
• Kids say (3)

Based on 5 parent reviews

CommonSense neglected to mention a nude scene and an f***...

Looks can be deceiving, what's the story.

Nicolas Cage plays Jack Campbell, a man who is perfectly delighted with his life the way it is. He loves money, making it on Wall Street, and spending it on expensive suits, gourmet meals, and a snazzy sports car. He doesn't mind Scrooge-ily calling a meeting at the office on Christmas, telling himself it's for the employees' own good, since they'll be making so much money. But then he stops to buy eggnog and sees a man ( Don Cheadle ) pull out a gun when a store clerk refuses to pay off his lottery ticket. His offer to buy the ticket mysteriously catapults him into the life he chose not to have -- a life in the New Jersey suburbs, with him married to his college sweetheart ( Tea Leoni ), with two small children and a job selling tires. His old life has disappeared. It's his worst nightmare, and he gets many opportunities to be horrified by diapers and outlet-store merchandise and to completely deconstruct his old life before he begins to realize what he's missed.

Is It Any Good?

There's some predictability and awkward construction in this movie; it feels as if it were edited heavily after focus-group testing, leaving some characters and plot lines unresolved. Nonetheless, this is a holiday pleasure. Cage and Leoni are enormously appealing in their various incarnations. There are some funny lines and warm moments, especially when the one person Jack can't fool is his daughter, who knows this is not the daddy she loves and decides he must be an alien. And there is a satisfying resolution that incorporates the best of both options.

The grand tradition of "what if?" movies from A Christmas Carol to It's a Wonderful Life and the more recent Passion of Mind and Me Myself I show us an unhappy hero or heroine who finds out what life would have been like if he or she had made a different choice. Though in this version, Jack loved his life to begin with.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about some of the "roads not taken" and what they think their lives might be like now if they had made other choices.

Comparisons have been made of this movie to the 1940s Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life . How is this movie similar to and different from that classic film and other holiday-themed movies and stories in which selfish characters learn the importance of love and the bonds of family, friendship, and community?

How is marriage represented in this movie? What are the highs and lows, as well as the joys and difficulties, conveyed through action and dialogue? Do you think it's realistic? Why, or why not?

What do you think the angel will do for the young woman who accepted too much change?

Movie Details

• In theaters : December 22, 2000
• On DVD or streaming : July 2, 2001
• Cast : Don Cheadle , Nicolas Cage , Tea Leoni
• Director : Brett Ratner
• Inclusion Information : Black actors, Female actors
• Studio : Universal Pictures
• Genre : Comedy
• Run time : 125 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : sexual references and situations and language
• Last updated : May 30, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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What to watch next.

It's a Wonderful Life

Me Myself I

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Drama tv for teens.

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The Family Man Reviews

The Family Man proves it is indeed entirely possible to make a crowd-pleasing, highly commercial romantic movie with teeth which respects the audiences intelligence and doesn't spoon-feed them the same old predictable, recycled mish-mash.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 10, 2022

Crowd-pleasing sap.

Full Review | Original Score: C | Dec 20, 2020

Its emotional core makes it easy to appreciate as a classical (if not classic) entertainment.

Full Review | May 25, 2012

Pleasant movie despite some predictability.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 28, 2010

Ratner isn't a capable enough director to work the alchemy needed to make this cheese into gold.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Feb 15, 2010

Leoni is a revelation. Vibrant and gorgeous, she plays her role of the determined mother in love with teasing, salty charm, providing just enough grit to save the film from Ratner's slushy direction.

Full Review | Sep 19, 2008

A hunk of sentimental fluff that boasts an often-overstated performance by Cage and an annoying turn by Leoni.

Full Review | Dec 30, 2006

Without Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni in the lead roles, the film would most likely have lost whatever charm and entertainment value it has.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 21, 2006

It's rare that an American movie lets slip such a snobbish distaste for the humdrum lives of its blue-collar audience base, but of course it doesn't last.

Full Review | Jan 26, 2006

I voted for the happy ending, thusly, my enjoyment was diminished.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Dec 31, 2005

If you're looking for a heartfelt, feel-good holiday movie, just give in and enjoy.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 6, 2005

One of the few films this season able to offer something likely to entertain almost everyone.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 6, 2005

The makers of The Family Man were trying to do a kind of reverse It's a Wonderful Life without ever realizing that it doesn't work on paper, much less on the screen.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 5, 2003

Redeems itself with raw emotion and the evocative force of love.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 14, 2003

A holiday film Joe Lieberman could love, unembarrassed by its wholesome, sugary pro-family message.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 10, 2003

Cage's delivery of the Big Final Speech is strained and uncomfortable, and the film's ending is unsatisfying, offering a conflicted message and only a meager chance of hope.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Feb 8, 2003

Perfect feel-good Christmas-period family entertainment. Highly recommended.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 30, 2002

Cage and Leoni are cute together and struggle mightily, but they can't overcome this sinking ship of a script by David Diamond and David Weissman that telegraphs the ending in the first 20 minutes.

Full Review | Oct 21, 2002

There is not a lot wrong with The Family Man, except for an almost total lack of surprise and a nasty attitude toward exactly the people who are supposed to pay money to watch it.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 15, 2002

I was disappointed with its overly sentimental tone and rather questionable message. Are married men with children actually more deserving of happiness than single guys? According to this movie, yes.

Full Review | Aug 2, 2002

• Cast & crew

User reviews

The Family Man

• Jan 1, 2022

Great film but kinda sad

• zakkattackkkk
• Dec 15, 2020

Touching Romantic comedy

• Jan 1, 2007

It's A Wonderful Life in 2000

• whynotbacritic
• Nov 15, 2004

A worthy imperfect but charming version of a Scrooge dream...

• Dec 25, 2016
• Nov 25, 2019

Just what I needed, When I needed it

• Nov 23, 2006

It's a Wonderful Life redux

• SnoopyStyle
• Dec 1, 2013

A favourite

• Nov 21, 2014
• jack_o_hasanov_imdb
• Aug 18, 2021

Horrible stuff

• Dec 14, 2003
• Jul 29, 2007

someone is always watching

• Dec 7, 2000

Cliché and over-earnest.

• spidaminida
• Oct 13, 2005

Funny that this movie, of all movies, would make me register for the imdb...

• mercedes_chicka
• Dec 28, 2000

Magical and sweet romantic movie after marriage with a sort of depressing end

• KineticSeoul
• Mar 1, 2011

Worth watching more than once

• Tom4Surfing
• Oct 2, 2003

a good movie to see around the holidays

• Dec 5, 2004

Heartwarming

• Nov 24, 2014

A simple, touching movie with a great moral

• Jun 19, 2022

because everyone needs marriage and 2.5 kids to be happy

• morobandgeek
• Dec 9, 2011

This movie has profound impact on my life

• Toulousain85

Locations and good performances pull through strong

Giving someone a glimpse when they already are happy why.

• Oct 7, 2001

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• DVD & Streaming

The Family Man

• Comedy , Drama

Content Caution

In Theaters

• Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven, Amber Valletta

Home Release Date

• Brett Ratner

Distributor

• Universal Pictures

Positive Elements   |   Spiritual Elements   |   Sexual & Romantic Content   |   Violent Content   |   Crude or Profane Language   |   Drug & Alcohol Content   |   Other Noteworthy Elements   | Conclusion

Movie Review

Jack Campbell is a successful Wall Street trader accustomed to life’s “finer” things. Designer clothes. Gourmet dining. Willing women. Prestige. Power. Jack has it all … or does he?

After calmly thwarting a robbery on Christmas eve, Jack gets a surreal reward—the chance to see what life would’ve been like had he married his college sweetheart and become The Family Man . Jack wakes up Christmas morning in suburban New Jersey beside his wife, Kate, and is playfully assaulted by a rambunctious 3-year-old who calls him “Daddy.” He panics. It seems none of his city friends recognize him, yet strangers in Teaneck treat him as one of their own.

Some very funny scenes involve a jaded Jack reluctantly playing the part of a domesticated male. Walking dogs. Changing babies. Selling tires retail! But just as he begins to enjoy the routine and the people in it, he must return to the life he chose, which now feels empty by comparison. Imagine Capra with a twist: It Could’ve Been a Wonderful Life.

And this could’ve been a wonderful family film if not for profanity, sexual situations, alcohol use and fairly explicit nudity. That’s a shame because, like a holiday cordial, The Family Man has a sweet center. A balm for macho mid-life crisis, it makes strong statements in favor of personal integrity, the value of family and the foolishness of infidelity. It also romanticizes the idea of couples growing old together. If only the movie’s delightful themes weren’t unequally yoked with disappointing moments.

Positive Elements

Spiritual elements, sexual & romantic content, violent content, crude or profane language, drug & alcohol content, other noteworthy elements.

Bob Smithouser

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