It's Christmas Day and Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock) is at work in her transit railway toll booth. And who should dash past her booth but Peter Callahan (Peter Gallagher) the handsome stranger whom she has watched every day for months, but has never met. Standing on the nearly deserted platform, Peter is accosted by some young punks, pushed onto the tracks and knocked unconscious.Ignoring the danger, Lucy jumps down onto the tracks and pulls him out of the path of an oncoming express train. Later in the hospital, amidst the confusion, a nurse tells Peter's family that not only did Lucy save Peter's life, but that she is his fiancee. In their gratitude to Lucy for giving them back their son, Peter's family takes her into their hearts and into their home. Lucy, who had lost her own family years earlier, finds herself with a whole new family including parents, a sister, and a future brother-in-law. As the days go by, Lucy wants to tell them the truth about her relationship with Peter, but she doesn't want to risk losing her new family. In addition, while Peter lies in a coma in the hospital, Lucy finds herself falling in love with his brother Jack (Bill Pullman).
Despite an improbable setup, While You Were Sleeping is one of the best-written, best-acted, most heart-warming holiday season romantic comedies ever created. Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman have terrific romantic chemistry, and the supporting cast is excellent, especially Peter Boyle, Jack Warden, Michael Rispoli and Glynis Johns. If you enjoyed Bed of Roses, Fools Rush In, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail, I predict you will really enjoy While You Were Sleeping. And if you like Sandra Bullock, I can highly recommend The Lake House.
Did I mention the dialogue is terrific. Here's just one tiny example, a morning, dining-table dialog between father Ox (Peter Boyle) and son Jack (Bill Pullman):Ox: "Life is a pain in the ass. I'll tell ya. You know? You work hard, try to provide for the family, and then, for one minute, everything is good. Everyone is well. Everyone is happy. In that one minute, you have peace."
Jack: "Pop, this isn't that minute."
Labels: christmas, comedy, rom-com-faves, romance
Internet Movie Database 6.7/10
Metacritic 67/100
RottenTomatoes Averages (critics=65, viewers=64)
