“The Family Man” (2000) is a romantic comedy-drama directed by Brett Ratner, starring Nicolas Cage and Téa Leoni. The story revolves around Jack Campbell, a successful and wealthy investment banker who prioritizes his career and leads a bachelor’s lifestyle in New York City. On Christmas Eve, Jack faces an armed robber in a convenience store and disarms him. Following an altercation, Jack wakes up the next morning to discover that his life has taken an unexpected turn. Instead of his high-powered career and luxurious Manhattan apartment, Jack finds himself in a suburban New Jersey home, married to his college sweetheart, Kate Reynolds. He is now the father of two children, living a middle-class life as a tire salesman. Initially disoriented and confused, Jack gradually realizes that he is experiencing an alternate reality, one where he had chosen love and family over his ambitious career path.
The movie features Nicolas Cage, who plays Jack Campbell. Tea Leoni portrays Kate Reynolds. Supporting roles include Don Cheadle as Cash, Jeremy Piven as Arnie and Jake Milkovich as Josh Campbell.
“The Family Man” was primarily filmed in various locations, capturing the essence of both urban New York City and suburban New Jersey. Some of the filming locations include:
1. 375 Park Avenue and East 52nd Street, Manhattan: Jack’s office features scenes of his fast paced life as an investment baker.
2. 14 Washington Mews and 5th Avenue: Kate’s apartment in Manhattan
3. 641 5th Avenue: Jack’s penthouse apartment is at the top of the Olympic Tower, a 51-story building in Midtown Manhattan. Built in 1975, it was constructed on a site that was occupied by a Best & Company Store that was built in 1947. It contains 225 condominium apartments and more than 250,000 square feet of office space and retail space. Situated next to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, it offers views of the cathedral’s buttresses and Fifth Avenue.
Not all scenes were shot in New York, and in fact, the majority of the film’s interior scenes were shot in Los Angeles during a seven-week span of filming at locations that included the elegant Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel, the Los Angeles International Airport and suburban homes in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.
Fun facts:
1. The film originally had an alternate ending that was not included in the theatrical release. The alternate ending is often included in special features on home media releases.
2. Nicolas Cage’s distinct hairstyle in the movie, featuring long, slicked-back hair, became somewhat iconic and is remembered as one of his notable on-screen looks.
3. “The Family Man” draws inspiration from the classic holiday film “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), where the protagonist experiences an alternate reality and gains a new perspective on life.