At least once in our lives we are faced with the perplexing ‘what if?’ question. I don’t know what it is about the holidays, but this nagging idea seems to be prevalent in a number of movies. It’s like filmmakers enjoy making the everyday man feel guilty for the life he has chosen, and thrive on exploiting that concept on the big screen through lovable characters. This year’s culprit is Family Man.
Nicolas Cage plays Jack Campbell, a man who has it all: he’s rich, intelligent, and knows how to impress the ladies. On Christmas Eve, a chance encounter with an angry man (Don Cheadle) in a market ends up turning his world inside out. Thirteen years ago he made the decision to leave his college sweetheart (Tea Leoni) behind for an overseas internship. Now this man in the convenience store gives him a glimpse of what could have been if he’d decided to stay.
With wide unknowing eyes, Jack feels his way through this alternate life. He’s no longer a rich, flamboyant tycoon; instead he’s your average family man, complete with a wife, two kids, and a dog. His self-discovery is at times tender and believable, but ultimately he lacks true emotional depth. It’s Tea Leoni whose endearing persona draws us in and keeps the movie plotting along. She is able to add dimensions to an otherwise flat character, and she’s the main reason we start to care about Jack’s decisions.
Family Man tries to convey the importance of family, especially during the holidays. The problem is, it discredits the value of any other directions or decisions one may choose. No wonder suicides are much higher this time of year than any other. After all, not everyone is lucky enough to see which path to take. Also, not everyone can run right out and get a family. Not only that, but haven’t we seen this type of thing before with It’s A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol?
Whether or not you see Family Man is a choice you’ll have to make. I can tell you this though, if you do decide to pay the outrageous price, afterwards you may be wishing for a glimpse of the better things you could’ve been doing with your time.
+ Ashley Adams
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