While You Were Sleeping (1995) (Movie Review)

   When it comes to movie genera’s that fall back on familiar formula’s, it’s the Romance category that seems to struggle the most with giving audiences something new. However, there are exceptions in which a romance picture can take predictable formula ingredients, and mold it into something charming and delightful on its own merits. In this regard, the 1995 Romance picture “While you were Sleeping” is a personal favorite of mine, in that nothing about the movie is unpredictable, yet it executes its narrative with such humble skill, to the point where it just feels fresh, charming, and simply leaves me feeling joyful afterwards. 

   Sandra Bullock plays a lonely young woman named Lucy, who has nothing going on for her beyond the Chicago subway toll-booth she works in, and has been an orphan all her life, with no family to spend time with. Over the holiday season, she develops a crush on a regular commuter named Peter, who has yet to notice the shy Lucy. One day, Peter gets mugged, falls on the line, and is rescued by Lucy. While at the hospital, Peter is alive … but in a comma, and through a mix-up, Lucy is presumed to be Peter’s fiancée. Her better judgment is to explain the situation, however she keeps up the charade, as this sudden incident is giving Lucy the one thing she’s always wanted … a loving family to spend the holidays with. On top of that, the more time she spends with the family, the more she wins the interest of Peters good looking brother named Jack … who may or may not be on to Lucy’s deception.

   The key ingredient that will make or break the film for viewers is the charm and likability conveyed by the cast, namely Sandra Bullock in the lead role. For me, I was initially introduced to Sandra Bullock through the 1994 action movie classic “Speed”, and I loved her in that film … but it was her performance in “While you were Sleeping” that made her one of my favorite actresses. Needless to say, she is infectiously lovable in this movie, and I could easily believe someone with her cookie personality, warm affections, and gangly gracefulness could find herself in an awkward situation like this. Beyond that, she just lights up the screen, and welcomes the viewer to smile, and enjoy the moments as they unfold. The premise is inherently ludicrous, but it really is Sandra Bullock, and the cast in general that give it both a charm, and an effective sense of hummer.

   Part of the appeal comes from seeing how this situation keeps escalating, and how these characters react to select moments, and their inevitable outcomes. There's an especially funny moment during a New Years party that had me bursting with laughter.  

Peter’s family feel like they came right from a sit-com, yet offer a variety of both warmth and comedy for Sandra Bullock to bounce off of. Bill Pullman is likewise very charming as love-interest Jack, and I like that he isn’t a one-note gullible nice-guy. He’s actually got a mischievous side to him, as he’s always second guessing Lucy, yet gradually falls for her just as the rest of the family is. One of the many qualities of this film that separates it from other romance pictures is that there’s more to it then just a bond between two lovers, it’s also a lonely person becoming part of a family. Even our comatose Peter is a charming character when he finally comes too. There’s an especially great moment when an ex-girl friend walks in, and you begin to think it’s the mandatory antagonist who’ll spoil everything, but thanks to Peter, she’s dealt with in a quick one-two punch, and it’s very satisfying.

    If I was to pick at anything, it would be the time of season, as the film starts prior to Christmas, and it ends after New Years. For me personally, if a movie is going to be set during the holiday season, then I want it to commit to having the holiday at the for-front of the film, as opposed to just being a backdrop. Honestly, this film could have been set in February, during the Valentines season, and it wouldn’t have changed anything … in fact, I would have preferred that. The winter season at least lends itself to some really sweet moments between our lead couple, like when they try to keep each-other balanced while walking on a slippery road. Sense the story is set in Chicago, winter could have still been a factor in the month of February, and it didn’t really need Christmas at all. Still, this just me being picky, and I suppose in general, it's nice to see family coming together during the holiday season. 

    Quick spoiler alert, if you care … but I want to talk about the ending. Everything builds to the wedding day, and we all know that Lucy’s charade has to drop by this point, as well as reveal her feelings for who she’s fallen in love with ... and it’s handled perfectly. In a refreshing change to this kind of set-up, Lucy just comes clean, and tells the truth to everyone. On top of that, sense she formed such a strong connection with the family, it doesn’t take long for them to except the truth, and make her an official member of the family. Again, it’s a predictable outcome, but the journey to get there is a delightful experience, and it leaves me feeling great.

    In the end, “While you were Sleeping” is a film that will either win you over or irritate you with its inherently formulaic premise. For me, while this film doesn’t re-invent the wheel, it still knows what kind of film it wants to be, has a blast doing it, and plays every note correctly. I’m typically not even one for romance films, but when it’s laced with a sense of comedy, it could be just up my ally. As such, I’ve always felt this movie had a charm all its own that wins me over every time I watch it. Sandra Bullock of course is infectiously lovable, as is the cast all around, and it’s an easy one to recommend to fans of the genera … or anyone just looking for a simple feel-good picture.

Thanks for reading my review of the 1995 romance classic “While you were Sleeping” … and continue to enjoy the movies you love.      

My Top 10 Romantic Disney Moments

It’s February again, the Valentines season, and once again I find myself wanting to put together some kind of romantic themed list to compliment the season. 

A while back, I ranked my personal favorite romantic songs from animated Disney movies, and this year I found myself wanting to highlight the next best thing … romantic moments from Disney animation. Yeah, for this countdown, I’ve decided to step back from the popular song numbers, or even couples as a whole, and just want to look at the little individual moments that have always resonated with me. I’m not ranking these by popularity or for any objective reasoning, these are just my own personal favorite little romantic moments from Disney films that have always felt special to me. 

 

#10 Spaghetti Dinner (Lady and the Tramp) 

Kicking off my list is a scene that, quiet frankly … needs no introduction. Truthfully, unlike the other scenes on my list, this one is more out of obligation … after all, I can’t have a romantic themed Disney list without including arguably the most famous scene from the most celebrated Disney couple. I honestly don’t even know what to comment on with this moment. 

We all remember the iconic spaghetti dinner scene, set to the song “Bella Notte”, as it’s one of the all-time great romantic ballets ever put to film, Disney or not. Still, the truth is, despite being overplayed, this sequence is still just as sweet as I remember. I can’t say “Lady and the Tramp” ever stuck with me as a personal favorite Disney film, but this sequence on its own is still a classic Disney staple, and one that I couldn’t keep off this list if I tried.

 

#9 “It’s not an interrogation … it’s an introduction” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) 

When a young Gypsy girl named Esmerelda is running from the law, she takes sanctuary in Notre Dame cathedral … where she unexpectedly crosses blades with the towns Captain of the Guard named Phoebus. Needless to say, it was love at first … um … sword fight! 

Personally, I find this the most fun “first-meeting” of any Disney couple, as it’s not too often a pair come together through an action sequence, or while exchanging witty remarks. Phoebus: “You almost fight as well as a man!” Esmerelda: “Funny, I was about to say the same about you!” Things gradually calm down, and the scene closes on a quiet and genuinely touching exchange of names. You’ll notice that most of my favorite romantic sequences revolve around characters meeting for the first time, and this one for me is definitely the most “fun” of the bunch.     

 

#8 “It’s Too Good to be True” (Fun and Fancy Free) 

After a circus bear named Bongo escapes life in the circus, he aims to start a new life in the wild, and after some adjusting, he finds himself winning the affection of a female bear named Lu Lu Belle. Once again, it’s love at first sight, and the excitement of the moment leads into a fantasy, dream-like sequence, in which the two bears are whisked away into the clouds. Honestly, the appeal of this scene has nothing to do with either the characters or the song … but simply the decorations and visuals on display. 

No other animated Disney sequence puts me in more of a mind-set for Valentines then this musical dream scene. Despite not being a very popular Disney product, I so badly want a theme park ride based on the design of this sequence, as it features a river running through brightly colored clouds in the sky, with decorative objects and imagery in every frame.      

 

#7 The Balcony Scene (Aladdin) 

When it comes to popular Disney couples, few others have the same dynamite chemistry as Aladdin and Jasmine. Of course, their Oscar winning song “A Whole New World” is about as great as romantic Disney songs get, but beyond that … their whole sequence on the Balcony is perfect. Obviously, it’s a nice visual nod to “Romeo and Juliet”, but it goes one step further, as we gradually see Jasmines dismissive nature of Aladdin transform into feelings of loving affection all through the course of this one scene. 

To put a lovely bow on the scene, the two share an unexpected, yet warmly impassioned kiss, which is one of the most gratifying of any Disney couple. I can’t think of another kiss from a Disney pair that felt as “in the moment”, and rewarding as that sudden kiss shared between the two on the balcony.

 

#6 First Meeting at the Waterfall (Pocahontas) 

We return to the concept of love at first sight … and while very formulaic … it can still be done effectively in execution. In this regard, I think Pocahontas and John Smith have one of the most memorable. While a mixed offering from Disney, I’ve always looked back fondly on “Pocahontas” as one of their best visual achievements. Beyond the arresting artistry, the overall direction and transition of select moments are beautifully shot with an artistic narrative and rhythm. 

Case in point, one of my favorite scenes is the build-up leading to when Pocahontas first meets John Smith by the waterfall. This is a long segment with no dialogue at all, yet the scene conveys everything beautifully through the character animation and direction. The misty waterfall backdrop is also a nice callback to “West Side Story”, in which the background got all hazy when the films two romantic leads spot each-other for the first time.

 

#5 “Reunited After the Storm” (Fantasia 2000) 

Donald Duck and Daisy Duck get to share the spot-light in a short Disney re-telling of Noa’s Arc, and our two love birds tie into the story quiet effectively. In the tail, a pair of every animal voyage on a giant wooden boat, while the rest of the world is covered in a great flood. Unfortunately for Donald, he’s the one animal who gets separated from his mate during the storm, and neither are aware that the other survived. It's not until the weather clears, and the boat reaches dry land that the two tearfully reunite. 

Donald is naturally funny in this short, as he always is, but in this moment, he also accomplished something I never thought could be done … Donald Duck got me all choked up inside. No joke, the scene at the end with the two reuniting is about as wholesome and touching as they get … and it still gets to me on repeat viewings.

 

#4 In the presence of a Person for the First Time (Tarzan) 

Disney’s “Tarzan” features a number of highlights, ranging from action sequences, to catchy songs, but what I feel the film did best was its quiet moments that develop the characters through visuals and character expressions. The titular romance between the characters of Tarzan and Jane isn’t exactly layered, but they do still convey a lot through their interactions, and they share some wonderful scenes. 

In my view, their first meeting is one of the best sequences of the movie, as it’s shot beautifully, and the moment takes it’s time for Tarzan to sink-in his first interaction with another human. I love how he takes her glove off, feels a human hand for the first time, and it’s just a genuinely sweet moment that sets a connection between these two with very little actually being said. It’s also one of the funniest scenes of the film, as the hummer comes from Tarzan’s naivety of social boundaries and properly interacting with people. 

 

#3 “A Day at the Park” (101 Dalmatians) 

When it comes to “101 Dalmatians”, we all remember the cute puppies, the nasty villain, and yet … watching this as an adult, I find myself sympathizing to the dog’s owner Rodger more than any other character, as he’s a guy caught-up in his passions, and is oblivious to the possibilities of finding romance in another person. Lucky for him, his dog Pongo catches the eye of another female Dalmatian with an equally lovely owner, and instantly he begins to set-up a plan to have both owners meet in the park. 

This whole sequence with Pongo getting the two dog owners to notice one another, and cheerfully bond over a little mis-hap is honestly my favorite scene of the whole film, and when it wraps-up with the two becoming an item … it just puts a big dumb smile on my face.

 

#2 “I Found Where I Belong” (Hercules) 

Demi-God Hercules has trouble fitting-in with mortals, and aims to find a place where he can belong. On his path of self-discovery, the young hero forms a bond with a young woman named Meg, who’s current life is both figurately and literally trapped in box. Well, time for the hero to come to the rescue, but in more ways than one. In the end, Hercules discovers that it wasn’t about “Where” he belongs, but instead “Who” he belongs with. I can’t make a compelling case that Hercules and Meg are one of the absolute best Disney couples, but their story is laced with some of my favorite visuals of any Disney pairing. 

Meg is initially dismissive of our young hero, but during a romantic night out, she gradually begins falling for him … and while a bit on the noise, I always loved her backing into a statue of Cupid. However, the big one I always loved is initially set during the musical number “Go the Distance”. There’s a moment when Hercules looks up at the sky and see’s a shooting star, then later the exact same shooting star is seen when Hercules and Meg have their special evening date, making this a visual thread tying their two stories together. It also makes Hercules closing statement of … “I Found Where I Belong” … all the more gratifying.      

 

Before I reveal my #1 favorite, here are some quick Honorable Mentions … 

You are Somebody (The Black Cauldron)

Bernard Finally Proposes (The Rescuers Downunder)

Snow Whites Revival (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Releasing Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Dinner Date (The Princess and the Frog)

 

#1 “You had me at … Hyuck!” (A Goofy Movie) 

Goofy’s teenage son Max is developing a crush on the popular High-school girl Roxane. Unfortunately for him, he gets cold feet upon their first meeting, has trouble getting the words out, and much to his embarrassment, he lets out his father’s trademark laugh … “Hyuck!” As established in an opening nightmare sequence, resembling his dad in any way is Max’s biggest fear, and that Goofy laugh is the embodiment of all that troubles him. Naturally, Max tries to retaliate with any big stunt he can concoct to win over the affection of Roxane. At the end however, Roxane reveals that she already had feelings for him from the moment she first herd Max’s laugh … “Hyuck!”. 

For all the popular, romantic Disney’s moments, from all the iconic couples, this one little scene to me is just the cutest, sweetest, most wholesome thing any Disney pairing has offered. It’s also a beautiful message that, the things we doubt in ourselves or maybe find embarrassing … might just be our greatest strengths or appeals to others. It’s a compliment that puts a big, dumb grin on my face, and it’s personally my favorite romantic Disney moment.

Thanks for reading my countdown … and have a Happy Valentine’s Day!