So this is where it gets a little weird for me. Ordinarily I can not stand movies like this. That happy horse dung that they force-feed you from W or hallmark networks.
This came on tv by chance (NOT on one of those networks I might add. I wouldn't be caught dead watching that) I went for a shower and came back and it was on the screen. The film is essentially a remake of "The Family Man" starring Nicholas Cage, and I absolutely love that film.
I'm not a sucker for holiday films like most people, and I especially hate thanksgiving. Absolutely hate the fake holiday that people use an excuse to gorge themselves and give in to disgusting practices. (Because nothing says "thanks" like gluttony)
Despite that, I've enjoyed Daphne Zuniga in things past and made me nostalgic for the good days of television when even the trash was conceptual and entertaining (Melrose Place, anybody?)
So I gave this film a try and it was decent. It has a lot more substance than the other crap that just preys on the weak and soft to make an easy buck.
Nothing will ever replace "The Family Man", its one of very very few "holiday films" that I can or will tolerate. So this film sat well with me, with a very understanding yet heartwarming appeal and didn't try to oversell like the cookie cutter approach to most made-for-tv garbage.
If this can win even a hardened person like me over, it probably deserves a watch.
The acting is quite simplistic but it doesn't feel forced either. I appreciate that we are viewing what seem to be normal people. Not characters filling a void to parlé along a storyline.
The ending is about as typical as you could expect. But how could it be any other way. I laughed, of course. But it wasn't to be cynical, it was more of letting go and embracing the innevitable.
Naturally in life we can't go back and change things. I think this is a testament to people's complacency and uninspired lifestyles. But also shows that there is more to life than only what you deem or make important.
A concept that is utterly lost on society today. Which is why "Thanksgiving" is such a sham of a holiday. Self-gratifying for your own selfish endeavours, while this film depicts the exact opposite.
What could, and what should be. Often times are one in the same, but seldom ever occur. This was a nice breath of fresh air from the phony garbage people deem "important" today. Your agenda isn't important, ethics and morals are.
This film will teach you that.
A nice little film with a much bigger heart.
I give this a 6.5 out 10. Rounded up to a 7, which is the highest rating i can possibly give to this type of film. So for all intents and purposes, its a 10 for tv.
