The Family Man (2000)
Jack's lavish, fast-paced lifestyle changes one Christmas night when he stumbles into a grocery store holdup and disarms the gunman. The next morning he wakes up in bed lying next to Kate, his college sweetheart he left in order to pursue his career, and to the horrifying discovery that his former life no longer exists. As he stumbles through this alternate suburban universe, Jack finds himself at a crossroad where he must choose between his high-power career and the woman he loves.
Details
Budget
$60,000,000
Rating
7/10 (2016 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Beacon Pictures, Saturn Films, Universal Pictures
About The Family Man
Released in 2000, "The Family Man" blends elements of comedy, drama, romance, and fantasy to explore themes of career versus family and the idea of a second chance. The story centers on a successful businessman who experiences an alternate reality where he is married to his college sweetheart and has a family, contrasting with his previous fast-paced, unattached life. This magical realism narrative, triggered by a Christmas Eve encounter, pushes the protagonist to confront his choices and consider what truly matters.
The film touches on concepts like midlife crisis and lost love, using the "what if" scenario to drive its plot. It delves into the nuances of an alternative reality, where small decisions can lead to vastly different life paths. While the film has a 7 out of 10 average vote from over 2000 viewers, critical reception, as indicated by its 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 42/100 on Metacritic, suggests a more divided opinion.
Why you might be searching for The Family Man
People often search for this film when remembering its core "what if" premise: a career-focused individual waking up to a completely different life with a family, usually sparked by a Christmas or holiday event. The concept of an alternate reality where past choices are re-evaluated, often involving a first love, is a key element that makes it memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Family Man" on Netflix and Prime Video. It is also available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home.
No, "The Family Man" is not based on a true story. It is a romantic fantasy comedy-drama film with a screenplay by David Diamond and David Weissman.
At the end of "The Family Man," Jack wakes up back in his original life on Christmas Day, having experienced a "glimpse" of what his life could have been with Kate and their children. He then goes to the airport to find Kate, who is leaving for Paris, and describes their alternate life together as a dream, convincing her to stay and go for coffee with him.
"The Family Man" received mixed reviews from critics, with a 54% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, some critics described it as a "heartfelt, feel-good holiday movie" and "perfect feel-good Christmas-period family entertainment."