It Could Happen to You (1994)

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

12 Jul 2007 08:01 AM

"It Could Happen to You" is the story of Charlie Lange (Nicholas Cage) a genuinely nice man. He's a police officer for the New York Police Department, always goes above and beyond the call of duty, is generous with his money, honest to a fault, spends his evenings playing baseball with the disadvantaged children in the neighborhood, and never has a cross word for anyone. His wife, Muriel (Rosie Perez) has decided she can't take it anymore. Charlie makes a small income and he gives it all away. She's decided that she wants money, and lots of it.

One night Muriel has a dream that her dead father has come to tell her to play the lottery. She tells Charlie to buy a lottery ticket with the numbers of her birthday and their anniversary. More to humor his wife than anything, Charlie buys the ticket, not believing they'll win. On his way home, he steps into a coffee shop, but discovers he doesn't have enough for a tip. He promises the waitress half of the lottery winnings if he wins.

The waitress, Yvonne (Bridget Fonda) doesn't believe a word he's saying, so she's shocked when he shows up the next day, and even more shocked when he tells her that he won four million dollars, and half of it is hers. Muriel, of course, is furious, but Charlie made a promise, and Charlie never breaks his promises. Yvonne takes her two million and hoards it, using little bits and pieces here and there to improve her life (her first purchase was a can of macadamia nuts) while Muriel goes nuts (ha, ha - that was a mistake but I'm keeping it) buying furs, jewelry, and clothing.

As time goes by, Charlie's marriage deteriorates to the point where Muriel asks for a divorce. She's set her sights on an older man with more money, and wants to better her situation even further. Meanwhile, Charlie's friendship with Yvonne has grown, and they discover they have feelings for each other that transcend money.

I liked this movie a lot. There was a little language, and a bit of talk about breast implants that really didn't need to be there, and I did feel it was a shame that Charlie and Yvonne were getting so close before his marriage was officially over. They didn't have a physical affair until after his wife kicked him out, but they were emotionally involved and that can be just as unfaithful. Overall, however, I enjoyed the story and I think you would too. It's not one kids would be interested, but it's a great Mommy movie.

This film was rated PG.

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The Princess Bride

The Lake House

The Importance of Being Earnest

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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