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.
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