Jon Turteltaub

Bland, as would be expected, but surprisingly, a lot _less_ bland than one might suppose. The story is trite, of course, going through all the expected motions and little else, but there is a lively joy in the (literal) on-screen magic here that adds quite a bit of personality. Glimmers of humour and jokes with just a touch more life to them than films like this typically have helps, and even the by-the-numbers love interest plotline manages to charm me into caring. Molina's show more moustache-twirling condescensions also adds a lot of presence in spite of on paper being a dull stereotype of a character. Rewatched this about a decade after it first came out, and was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't bored at any point, even on second viewing.

Though they missed a huge trick by not re-using the score from the Fantasia cartoon during the protagonist's final winning move. That would have been so simple, and yet added a lot. show less

This is one of my favorite romantic comedies. No, it's not one of those stellar, life-changing, rave-about-it-to-all-your-friends movies, but it does leave me with a nice warm feeling each time I watch it. Back when I had cable, it tended to pop up on TV each year around Christmas and New Year's, and I always watched it. Now I own it on DVD, for those times when I need a nice little pick-me-up.

Sandra Bullock is perfect as Lucy, her girl-next-door vibe making it easy to like and sympathize show more with her. Lucy genuinely wants to tell Peter's family the truth, but, even up to the end, she's terrified that the news might kill Peter's grandmother. She's also understandably concerned that the entire family will think she lied on purpose.

Pretty much the only selfish reason she has for putting off telling the truth is her growing love for Peter's family, but it doesn't make her any less likable. She's single, with only her cat for company. She has been alone since her father died a little while ago, and the movie makes it seem like she doesn't have many close friends. As alone as she is, it's tough for her to become part of such a large and loving family as Peter's and to then think about not having them any more, especially during a time of year when all of America practically shouts “Family!”

Bill Pullman isn't exactly memorable as a romantic lead, but he does work well as a nice, ordinary guy who clearly “fits” Lucy better than Peter. Bullock and Pullman have a gentle, warm chemistry that fits with the overall feel of the movie. I loved watching Jack and Lucy bond while struggling to get a couch into Peter's apartment and then walking back to Lucy's place afterward. Jack's card game with the still-comatose Peter was another nice scene – the movie doesn't make viewers guess about Jack's feelings. He admits he has fallen in love with Lucy, at least during a moment when no one but comatose Peter can hear, but he also admits there's nothing he can do about it other than be jealous of Peter. He's too nice a guy to make a play for his brother's fiancee, even though he knows Lucy isn't Peter's usual type.

Peter's family is a stereotypical big, kooky family. It's composed of Peter and Jack's parents, Jack, Peter and Jack's younger sister (whose name I can't remember), Peter and Jack's grandmother, and Saul, Peter's godfather and a friend of the family. Actually, I've encountered larger “big” families in movies and books. I think it's the interaction between the family members that makes this family seem so big. Every time they're together, there are multiple conversations going on, which sometimes intersect in amusing and confusing ways. They might occasionally argue, but the arguments aren't really all that important and lack much heat, so the general impression is of a family that is primarily loving and supportive. Jack's discussion with his father, about leaving the family business and going into business on his own, is the tensest things get, and even that moment resolves itself pretty painlessly.

I had to laugh when Peter finally woke up and started to reveal himself to not be the perfect person Lucy imagined him to be. Jack isn't just a better person than Peter, he's also clearly more genuinely interested in Lucy. Peter is eventually willing to accept that he can't remember Lucy because he has amnesia, and he adopts a “well, why not?” attitude towards marrying her, figuring he'll come to like her as much as everyone else after a while. Jack, on the other hand, has no problems coming up with reasons why Lucy is so likable. It makes it even easier to root for Lucy to eventually end up with Jack.

Overall, this is a pleasant, sweet romantic comedy. It might be a little too sweet for some, but it was perfect for me. The ending still has the power to reduce me to happy tears, even after having seen it several times. I love that Jack's proposal includes almost his whole family as witnesses – it's perfect, since the movie was just as much, if not more, about Lucy falling in love with the family as it was about Lucy falling in love with Jack.

Extras:

Just the theatrical trailer.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) show less

A very enjoyable light romantic comedy. A young ticket collector, rather lacking in confidence, saves the life of an attractive man. His family - who are decidedly bizarre - reach out to her, thinking she's engaged to him, and she feels welcomed and accepted.

Then she starts to fall in love with his brother...

Excellent pace, great casting, good mixture of amusing and poignant. Definitely recommended.

Longer review here: show more target="_top">https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2020/01/while-you-were-sleeping-sandra-bullo... show less

This is one of my favourite films although I hadn't rewatched it in a long time. It still holds up in being actually funny whilst also giving you a tear in the eye at the end.