Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sentimental
- warm
- witty
- christmas viewing
- date night
What critics said
Critics found the film earnest and overly schmaltzy, while broadly agreeing that Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni provide sincere romantic chemistry and holiday warmth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jack Campbell awakens in a reality where he stayed with Kate instead of pursuing his London career opportunity.
Jack's Ferrari, executive career, and investment-house status are contrasted with marriage, children, and ordinary family routines.
The story unfolds during the Christmas period and uses holiday warmth to heighten Jack's reconsideration of his priorities.
Jack, accustomed to being a wealthy single executive, must navigate life as Kate's husband and a father of two in New Jersey.
Films like The Family Man, and why
It's a Wonderful Life
shared Christmas setting, magical life-switch premise, sentimental second-chance romance, and moral emphasis on family over wealth
The Holiday
shared alternate-life fantasy, romantic regret, domestic transformation, and warm holiday tone
13 Going on 30
shared magical realism, relationship-centered self-discovery, and emotionally accessible romantic comedy-drama
Click
shared fantasy premise, workaholic protagonist, family priorities, and feel-good emotional resolution
Movie Details
- Director
- Brett Ratner
- Release Date
- 2000-12-12
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (2288)
Cast
- Nicolas Cage
- Téa Leoni
- Don Cheadle
- Jeremy Piven
- Saul Rubinek
- Josef Sommer
- Makenzie Vega
- Jake Milkovich
- Ryan Milkovich
- Lisa Thornhill
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Family Man about?
- A wealthy bachelor is forced to inhabit the family life he once abandoned and discovers that emotional richness cannot be measured by career success.
- What is The Family Man like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Family Man as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Family Man violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Family Man.
- What did critics think of The Family Man?
- Critics found the film earnest and overly schmaltzy, while broadly agreeing that Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni provide sincere romantic chemistry and holiday warmth.
- Which films are like The Family Man?
- Films with a similar feel include It's a Wonderful Life, The Holiday, 13 Going on 30, and Click.
- How long is The Family Man?
- The Family Man runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Family Man?
- In United States, The Family Man is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
