IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 1995 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): *** 1/2
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU was originally titled "Cop Gives Waitress $2M Tip" which was a better title, but except for the current blah, generic title, I have nothing but good things to say about this wonderful, romantic, and life affirming movie.
There is a great narrator who appears early and late in the show, and who shows up some in-between as a speechless observer. His name is Angel (Isaac Hayes), and he tells us in the beginning that the movie "is mostly true." Although it is true, it is told as a fairy tale and, moreover, a wonderful romance.
The basic plot setup is that a cop (Nicolas Cage), gives a waitress (Bridget Fonda) a tip of half of his lottery ticket. The ticket turns out to be worth $4,000,000. The waitress is the classic bad luck type who has just that day declared bankruptcy.
The cop has had a long childless marriage to his childhood girlfriend (Rosie Perez). Their marriage is one where he muses that "I'm not sure why we ever got married, but we no longer have anything to say to each other." Perez is not happy with him either because he is not making "any serious money". Her girlfriend advises her to dump him and marry an electrician. Early in the show, he wins the lottery, and then all of the twists and turns begin. Some are predictable, but many are not.
There is an instant romance and visible chemistry between Cage and Fonda that is a joy to behold. You see this in the first 5 minutes of the movie. It makes you feel good to be alive. Their acting is terrific. Several times, I thought they were going to burst into song. It is that kind of movie. Great mood music in it too.
Small things like the setting in Queens were well done. How about a show set in a poor ethnic neighborhood where the kids are nice, play stickball and no one mentions the word drugs? Amazing that.
The movie starts wonderfully, ends great, and has perfect pacing throughout.
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU is rated PG and has nothing to offend anyone of any age. I can not see someone younger than say 9 being interested in it. If your kids like romance, then they are probably old enough to enjoy this movie. It runs 1:41. I rate it *** 1/2 and highly recommend it.
**** = One of the top few films of this or any year. A must see film. *** = Excellent show. Look for it. ** = Average movie. Kind of enjoyable. * = Poor show. Don't waste your money. 0 = One of the worst films of this or any year. Totally unbearable.
REVIEWED WRITTEN ON: August 23, 1994
Opinions expressed are mine and not meant to reflect my employer's.
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