The Family Man - A holiday movie with a life-changing message

Tea Leoni and Nicholas Cage

The Family Man is a movie that never ceases to capture my imagination. I always watch it when it perennially shows up on TV over the holidays.

Jack Campbell is a Wall Street shark who has a wealthy, but superficial life. Fate gives him a chance to see what his life would have been like, had he married the girlfriend (Kate) he left behind 13 years earlier, raised two lovable children, worked in his father-in-law's tire store, and lived his life as a family man in suburban New Jersey.

From Nightmare to Understanding

The movie is an examination of what life is really all about, and, at the end of the day, what is really important. When Jack is thrust into his "new" family, it's a living nightmare at first, but it gradually dawns on him that there are values and rewards that he was unaware of in his previous high powered lifestyle. He's drawn in like a drowning man to a life preserver.

There is one particularly poignant scene, which is the turning point for Jack. He is alone in his house and he is still pineing to return to his life in the fast lane. He plays an old video in which Jack and all their friends are celebrating Kate's birthday.

In the video, Jack demonstrates his love to Kate by singing her a romantic song, and in Kate's warm reaction to the song, Jack realizes how deep and endearing the love was between he and Kate.

It may sound corny, but it works. There's ample humor mixed in with the drama, such as the famous "cake scene."

A Message to Take to Heart

Jack realizes that all of the expensive trinkets that he valued so highly before meant nothing in comparison to what his family life had to offer.

Even in our consumption-driven society, the most basic human needs and concerns still apply.

You might  even say, the fundamental things apply, as time goes by.


Upcoming Radio Interviews

Tune in Tuesday, January 10th at 7 PM eastern standard time for post holiday treat, as I will be discussing my new book "Carve Out Your Niche" right here on the ArtistFirst Radio Network (http://www.artistfirst.com/).

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