Starring: Nicholas Cage, Tea Leoni
Directed by Brett Ratner


I have to admit that I was far from thrilled at the prospect of seeing another sappy Nicholas Cage attempt at a romantic comedy. Since neither him, nor Tea Leoni, are on my list of moderately decent actors, Family Man did not initially hold much promise. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Family Man managed to succeed in telling a touching tale of human spirit.
Bruges accommodation The Story begins with Jack (Nicholas Cage) at a crucial turning point in his life. Faced with the choice of staying in New York with his college sweetheart (Tea Leoni), or taking up a promising career opportunity in London, Jack decides to opt for the latter. We catch up with Jack 13 years later, back in New York and living the life we would all initially envy. Now a millionaire, Jack appears to have it all; beautiful women, a Ferrari, an executive position and a luxurious apartment with no commitment or family ties. Yet he has no one with whom he can share his success. One night, caught in the midst of a robbery that takes place in a corner shop, Jack comes face to face with the thief, clearly meant to represent a guardian angel. He awakens the following morning to find himself living his alternate life; the life he would have lived if he had stayed with his girlfriend all those years ago. Living what one would normally see as an "average life;" a house in the suburbs, 2.4 children, Jack discovers what success really is.
The film does have its cheesy moments, but on the whole it proves to be quite enjoyable. Cage and Leoni's acting is, for a change, not atrocious, but rather mediocre. You will no doubt however, fall in love with Jack's children, who offer some delightful moments in the film. Altogether the story is somewhat predictable, very much a Sliding Doors type of "what if?" The message is a good one, albeit a message that has been endlessly pushed in our faces.
But if you are in the mood for a few laughs, and for a film that will have you singing along to all the songs, grab your best friend (it is definitely a chick flick), and give it a go.

Literature: The biography of mystical poet and saint, Ibn Al Farid.

Cuisine: A melange of restaurants from the newly opened to the tried and tested again.

Art: Ahmed Askalany’s sculptures, Mohamed Taman’s philosophical imagery and Wageeh Wahba’s electric abstracts.

Movies: This month we review Driven, Family Man, Sword Fish and Rehlet Hob.

Music: Jamiroquai: A funk odyssey, Jessica Simpson: Irresistible, Discotech: Gatecrasher, Ahmed Mounib: An evening with Ahmed Mounib.

Around Town: A collection of venues that Insight has reviewed.

Motoring: A review on this year’s Rally.