By Jacob Cameron

The Family Man is a film very similar to It’s a Wonderful Life in that the main conceit of the film is a what if scenario. In the case of The Family Man, the scenario is one that is experienced through a clever trick. Along with the difficult choices one must make at key points in one’s life.

The Family Man was directed by Brett Ratner and starred Nicolas Cage, Tea Leoni, and Don Cheadle. It tells the story of Jack Reynolds, played by Cage, a successful Wall Street executive and bachelor. Thirteen years prior, Jack had taken an internship in the United Kingdom, away from his girlfriend Kate, played by Tea Leoni. The two grew apart. But through a curious incident, Jack meets a stranger named Cash, played by Don Cheadle, who offers to show him a glimpse of another world. Jack falls asleep and wakes up in another life; one where he is married to Kate, with children, and a small business.

Nicolas Cage is an actor who is known more for his manic roles. Here, he is more restrained; tapping into the Leaving Las Vegas side of his range. Jack Reynolds is someone who is married to his work and will do anything to achieve his goals. Much to the chagrin of his employees. In the glimpse of his other life, Jack sees that his life is empty over the course of his look at this other life. To the point where, when Cash tells him his dream is about to end, he refuses to go to sleep because he doesn’t want it to end.

Tea Leoni is similarly great; she and Cage have really good chemistry together. One of the best scenes in the movie involves the two having a fight while Christmas shopping in the mall. It’s not an over-the-top fight; it feels like a fight between a married couple. It’s the culmination of Jack seeing how frustrating this life can be. With Kate reminding him of the good things that have happened. This scene is the closest Nic Cage gets to becoming the Nic Cage everyone knows.

While this movie is very much a version of It’s a Wonderful Life, there is quite a bit of the DNA of A Christmas Carol here. Jack Reynolds is not a full-blown Ebenezer Scrooge, but he is similar in a lot of ways. Specifically in the ambition and greed departments. While Jack is not visited by three ghosts, he visits what could have been if he had shown a little more heart and compassion. Which makes for some funny and tear-jerking moments.

If there’s any nitpicks to have, some of the comedy feels very much like a product of the time. Especially when Jack finds out some of the responsibilities of being a parent to young children. But it’s not enough to make this an incredibly enjoyable watch. This is a Christmas movie that deserves more attention and love; especially in celebration of its 25th anniversary this year.

4 1/2 stars