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The_Family_Man_(Nicolas_Cage)_-_Christmas_Eve_Shop_Takes_A_Turn_-_Extended_Preview

The Family Man (Nicolas Cage) - Christmas Eve Shop Takes A Turn - Extended Preview

The Family Man is a 2000 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni. Cage's production company, Saturn Films, helped produce the film.

Synopsis[]

Jack Campbell is a single Wall Street executive living in New York City. He is in the midst of putting together a multibillion-dollar merger and has ordered an emergency meeting on Christmas Day. In his office, on Christmas Eve, he hears that his ex-girlfriend, Kate, called him after many years, which he disregards, uninterested.

On the way home Jack walks into a convenience store where a lottery contestant named Cash has a winning ticket worth $238. The clerk does not believe Cash, who threatens him with a gun and Jack offers to buy the ticket to prevent any violence. Jack offers to help Cash. In return, Cash questions Jack, asking him if he is missing anything in his life. Jack says he has everything he needs. Cash tells Jack that actions have consequences, and that Jack has brought whatever is coming on himself. A puzzled Jack returns to his condo and goes to bed.

On Christmas Day, Jack wakes up in a suburban New Jersey bedroom with Kate and two children named Annie and Josh. He hurries back to his office and condo in New York City, but his closest friends do not recognize him. He runs out to the street and encounters Cash driving his Ferrari. Cash is revealed to be a guardian angel and explains that Jack is experiencing a glimpse of an alternate universe in order to learn a lesson. He advises him to take the time to learn whatever it is that he needs to learn.

Jack is living the life he could have had if he stayed in the United States with Kate. He has a modest family life, where he is a car tire salesman for Kate's father, Ed, and Kate is a non-profit lawyer. Annie realizes his secret, thinks he is an alien, and decides to assist him in surviving his new life. Jack struggles to fit into the role of a family man, such as missing opening Christmas presents, flirting with a married woman, and forgetting his anniversary. He begins to succeed in his life, bonding with Annie and Josh, falling in love with Kate, and working hard at his job.

At a chance meeting, Jack is offered a contract to work at the same investment firm from his real life, having impressed his former boss, Chairman Peter Lassiter, with his business savvy when Lassiter comes in for a tire change. His old mentor offers him a job, while formerly sycophantic Alan Mintz is in his old position, with an assertiveness he did not possess as a subordinate. While he is wowed by the potential salary and other complimentary extreme luxuries, Kate argues that they are very happy, and they should be thankful for their life.

Having finally realized the true value of his new life, Jack again sees Cash, who is now a store clerk. He demands to stay in this life, but Cash informs him there is no choice: a glimpse, by definition, is an impermanent thing. That night, Jack tries to stay awake, but fails and wakes the "next day" to find himself in his wealthy former life, on Christmas Day. He forgoes closing the acquisition deal to intercept Kate, finding her moving out of a luxury townhouse before flying to Paris. Like Jack, she has focused on her career and become a very wealthy corporate lawyer. She had only called him to return a box of his old possessions. He chases her to the airport and describes the family they had in the alternate universe in an effort to win back her love. She agrees to talk over a cup of coffee before making a decision. The closing credits begin to roll as they talk animatedly over the coffee.

Songs[]

Title(s) Performed by
Verdi's Rigoletto: "La donna è mobile"
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" Burl Ives
"Woody Woodpecker"
Rossini's La Scala di Seta: "Overture" London Symphony Orchestra (Piero Gamba)
"Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" Lena Horne
"Jingle Bells" The Mills Brothers
"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" Johnny Mathis
"Beast of Burden" The Rolling Stones
"Going to the Zoo" Raffi Cavoukian
"Sleigh Ride" Ronnie Aldrich
"Frosty the Snowman" Esquivel
"Wicked Game" Chris Isaak
"To Be with You" Mr. Big
"Eres Tú" Mocedades
"La-La (Means I Love You)" Nicolas Cage
"After Hours" • "Young Love" Daniel May
"The Way You Look Tonight"
"Sideshow" Blue Magic
"Dear Heart" Henry Mancini
"This Could Be Heaven" Seal
"You Stole My Bell" Elvis Costello
"World Looking In" Morcheeba
"I Don't Know How I Got By" Edwin McCain

Cast[]

Actor/actress Character(s)
Nicolas Cage Jack Campbell
Téa Leoni Kate Reynolds
Don Cheadle Cash
Jeremy Piven Arnie
Saul Rubinek Alan Mintz
Josef Sommer Peter Lassiter
Makenzie Vega Annie Campbell
Jake & Ryan Milkovich Josh Campbell
Lisa Thornhill Evelyn Thompson
Harve Presnell Big Ed
Mary Beth Hurt Adelle
Amber Valletta Paula
Francine York Lorraine
Ruth Williamson Betty Peterson
John O'Donahue Tony the Doorman
Daniel Whitner Frank the Security Guard
Lucy Lin
Lisa Lo Cicero
Executives
Wass Stevens Trader
Thomas Foster Joe the Valet
Irene Roseen Mintz's Assistant
Ken Leung Sam Wong
Mak Fai Grandfather Wong
Maggi-Meg Reed Lady at Deli
Kate Walsh Jeannie
Ray Valentine Mr. Thompson
Gianni Russo Nick
Tom McGowan Bill
Joel McKinnon Miller Tommy
Tanya Newbould Nick's Wife
Hilary Adahms Party Guest
Troy Hall Kenny
Kathleen Doyle (voice) Big Ed's P.A.
Mary Civiello CNBC Reporter
Paul Keith Suit Salesman
Elizabeth Sjoli Hostess
Philippe Bergeron Waiter
Christopher Breslin Restaurant Patron
Si Picker Tire Customer
Lisa Guzman Girl at Market
Robert Downey Sr. Man in House
P.J. Barry Limo Driver
Nina Barry Kate's Assistant
Ellis (Dog) Lucy

External links[]

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed
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Universal Studios
Movies Silent Night, Lonely Night1941Merry Christmas, Mr. LawrenceThe Munsters' Scary Little ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)Love ActuallyThe HolidayThe Best Man HolidayKrampusAlmost ChristmasThe Grinch (2018)Last ChristmasBlack Christmas (2019)
Direct-to-video films The Life and Adventures of Santa ClausBarbie in a Christmas CarolCurious George: A Very Monkey ChristmasBarbie: A Perfect ChristmasBeethoven's Christmas AdventureAll I Want for Christmas is YouMy Adventures with Santa
Live-action television episodes "The Day They Captured Santa Claus" • "'Twas the Fight Before Christmas…" • "Christmas Presence" • "Home for the Holidays" • "Yule Laff" • "Christmas Brains" • "Seoul Mates" • "A Christmas Secret" • "Christmas Party" • "Mr. Monk and the Secret Santa" • "A Benihana Christmas" • "Mr. Monk Meets His Dad" • "Moroccan Christmas" • "Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa Claus" • "Ludachristmas" • "Christmas Special" • "Secret Santa (30 Rock) • "Christmas Attack Zone" • "Secret Santa" (The Office) • "Classy Christmas" • "Christmas Wishes" • "Josh and Mindy's Christmas Party" • "Mr. Monk and the Miracle"
Animated specials and episodes "Dickens of a Christmas" • A Wish For Wings That Work • "For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls" • "A Christmas Peril" • "Ms. Banshee's Holiday Hits" • "Fright Before Christmas" • "A Very Woody Christmas" • "It's a Chilly Christmas After All" • "Yule Get Yours" • "The Twelve Lies of Christmas" • How Murray Saved Christmas • "ChristMess Eve" • 5 More Sleeps ‘til Christmas
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