While You Were Sleeping

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is a train token taker without a family. She pines for frequent commuter Peter (Peter Gallagher), but never speaks to him. Then on Christmas, Peter gets pushed off the platform, and she rescues him. In the hospital, the family mistakes her for his fiancée. While he's in a coma, she and his brother Jack (Bill Pullman) slowly falls for each other.

This is a perfectly harmless Sandra Bullock rom-com, and she's so great at it. She can make any preposterous situations work. This movie is about Bullock's vulnerable charm. The biggest problem is that Bill Pullman doesn't get in the movie until almost 30 minutes in. They need more time together to develop the chemistry. I don't know why he doesn't get in right from the start.

"While You Were Sleeping" is a delightful romantic comedy that warms the heart and leaves a smile on your face. Directed by Jon Turteltaub and released in 1995, this timeless gem takes audiences on a whimsical journey of love, fate, and unexpected connections. With a charming cast, witty dialogue, and a healthy dose of feel-good moments, "While You Were Sleeping" remains a beloved classic in the genre even after all these years.

The film revolves around Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock), a lonely and kind-hearted ticket collector in a Chicago subway station. Lucy secretly harbors a crush on a handsome commuter named Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher), who she frequently sees during her shifts. One fateful day, Lucy saves Peter from an oncoming train accident, but he falls into a coma as a result.

In a twist of fate, Lucy is mistaken as Peter's fiancée when she accompanies him to the hospital. As Peter's family, including his charming brother Jack (Bill Pullman), embraces Lucy, she finds herself caught in an intricate web of lies. The situation becomes even more complicated when Lucy starts to develop feelings for Jack, creating a delightful and heartwarming romantic entanglement.

Review: "While You Were Sleeping" is an endearing and enchanting romantic comedy that strikes the perfect balance between humor, charm, and genuine emotion. The film's strength lies in its engaging and relatable characters, who effortlessly draw the audience into their world. Sandra Bullock shines in her role as Lucy, capturing the character's vulnerability, wit, and innate goodness. Her performance is both lovable and relatable, making Lucy someone viewers can't help but root for.

The chemistry between Bullock and Bill Pullman, who plays Jack, is undeniable and adds an extra layer of magic to the film. Pullman brings a wonderful blend of warmth, sincerity, and subtle humor to his character, making Jack an ideal romantic counterpart for Lucy. Their interactions are filled with delightful banter and subtle moments of connection, creating a palpable and captivating on-screen romance.

The supporting cast, including Peter Gallagher as the comatose Peter and a scene-stealing performance by Jack Warden as Lucy's endearing neighbor, further elevate the film. Each character brings their own unique quirks and charm, adding depth and humor to the narrative. The ensemble cast works seamlessly together, creating a vibrant and cohesive on-screen dynamic.

The screenplay by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted comedy and heartfelt moments. The witty and clever dialogue, combined with the film's whimsical premise, keeps the audience engaged and entertained throughout. Turteltaub's direction ensures a smooth flow of the story, allowing the film to unfold at a comfortable pace while maintaining its captivating charm.

The film's setting in Chicago provides a picturesque backdrop for the story, with its snow-covered streets and cozy urban atmosphere. The cinematography beautifully captures the city's magic, adding a touch of enchantment to the overall cinematic experience. The accompanying soundtrack, featuring a mix of romantic melodies and upbeat tunes, enhances the film's emotional beats and further immerses viewers in its world.

Ultimately, "While You Were Sleeping" is a heartwarming and feel-good romantic comedy that stands the test of time. Its endearing.

No matter how many times I watch this movie, I can't get enough of it! Whenever I've had a bad day or am not in a good mood... all I have to do is watch this fabulous, amazing movie! Makes you believe in fate and following your dreams... If you never watch another movie in your life, watch this one! You won't regret it.

It's a shame that this movie has such a low rating at IMDb, because it deserves better.

"While You Were Sleeping" is the kind of film that must be hard to pull off, because there aren't many of them: solid, well-written and consistently funny romantic comedies.

Sandra Bullock exudes buckets of charm and a whopper of a comic presence as the heroine of this particular romance. She ably carries the movie, even when surrounded by veterans like Jack Warden, Peter Boyle and Glynis Johns.

Those who are familiar with Chicago will have fun with this film, as that's where it was filmed, and you could make a game out of spotting the inconsistencies in the movie if you actually know the city it's set in.

A fun movie to pop in here and there during the holiday season.

Grade: A

Oh Sandra, only you could trick your way into a family and make me still fall in love with you. Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock have such good chemistry in this film, I am surprised they never acted in anything else together. And to think this movie was almost called "Coma Guy."