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Rom-coms are not my bag; 99% are utter crap. 'While You Were Sleeping' is one of, maybe, three I've ever re-watched. It's criminally low-rated here.

8 great things about While You Were Sleeping:

1. If you watch it again, and pay attention, you'll pick up something new. Like the whomping thud of a fall by the ice skater at the end of the Chicago winter montage opening credits.

On (at least) my fourth watch, I finally realized *why* Lucy has such a thing for Peter. It's not because he's handsome, or his clothes scream money: It's crush at first sight because he looks like her father, down to the bushy black eyebrows.

2. The soundtrack is sneaky-good, full of bluesy/old school R&B. Natalie Cole, Koko Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials. Yes, it closes with a cheesy duet-but it's Daryl Hall and Dusty Springfield herself. Sign me up!

3. There are scads of memorable lines and one-liners. Everyone who enjoys this movie has a favorite. I'm partial to Jack and Peter's 'you suck' exchange in the hospital chapel.

4. Remember when lots of movies had real-looking people with real-looking houses, before the days when even a NYC teacher has to be drop-dead gorgeous with a $2mil loft? Only the rich lawyer in WYWS has a rich pad, and that's cool.

5. The leading lady has no vanity. She never wears spike heels or shows cleavage. Lucy (Sandra Bullock) dresses like lots of women you know: jeans and baggy sweaters, boots for icy sidewalks. As Peter tells his out-going girlfriend, "Lucy is *not* a bimbo."

Her hair is a mess nine scenes out of ten, and Bullock is so warm and genuine you love her for it.

She's also not taking the world by storm. Lucy is funny, adorable, sentimental...and the hot dog vendor she sees every day never remembers her.

6. Jack (Bill Pullman) is a woodworker! Let's just say I've known loads of craftsmen and lawyers in my professional life...and one creates things from nothing while the other largely takes things apart.

Most rom-coms have 'insert hot guy here' interchangeable casting, but Pullman is perfect here: self-effacing, funny, a little scruffy, with just the right amount of gravel in his voice. He's charming, a bit snarky-and he single-handedly redeems the film's cheesiest scene by facing the camera with sudden tears in his eyes.

7. You can relate to the Callaghans. If you've ever been shushed in church. If non-sequiturs and talking-over fly at the dinner table. Argentinian beef and nazis, tall actors and mashed potatoes. If there's at least one rogue grandparent or mensch friend and nobody's perfect but everyone laughs a lot. You don't have to actually be Irish. Though it helps.

8. The supporting cast is pretty flawless all-around. Even the trope roles are lively. Jack Warden, Glynis Johns, Peter Boyle, Ally Walker and Peter Gallagher as a largely comatose, narcissistic, wide-eyed doofus of a one-balled squirrel-saver.

In the end, WYWS is more funny than trite, a low-gloss, feel-good film with a saving grace of quirk.

It's a shame that this movie has such a low rating at IMDb, because it deserves better.

"While You Were Sleeping" is the kind of film that must be hard to pull off, because there aren't many of them: solid, well-written and consistently funny romantic comedies.

Sandra Bullock exudes buckets of charm and a whopper of a comic presence as the heroine of this particular romance. She ably carries the movie, even when surrounded by veterans like Jack Warden, Peter Boyle and Glynis Johns.

Those who are familiar with Chicago will have fun with this film, as that's where it was filmed, and you could make a game out of spotting the inconsistencies in the movie if you actually know the city it's set in.

A fun movie to pop in here and there during the holiday season.

Grade: A

A ticket-collecting romantic (Sandra Bullock) pretends to be engaged to an unconscious man (Peter Gallagher) but cannot fool his brother (Bill Pullman).

Romantic comedies are judged pretty harshly. And they probably should be, as they are generally sentimental, unrealistic fluff. But this is one of those rare good ones. Is it sentimental? Yes. Unrealistic? Yes. Fluff? Yes. But it really cemented Sandra Bullock as America's Sweetheart, and may be her finest role. Well, this and "Speed". She is going as strong as ever twenty years later, and it should be no surprise.

Peter Gallagher is a bit off, but Bill Pullman really succeeds as a romantic interest. Odd, but he does it. And the supporting cast is excellent, from Peter Boyle to... well, everyone.

This is one of those movies where she waits for me to get emotional. But I had steel resolve, holding back any tears or emotion. Sandy Bullock, you won't break me. You won't.

This was the picture which proved things could be all about Sandra Bullock. "Speed" - one year earlier - showed this. This picture proved it. A lot of people nowadays make fun of a typical Bullock picture and speak of her as negligible in this day and age. They probably forget or were never aware that she was hailed as America's new sweetheart back in '95 and it was no idle chatter. There are very few actresses who can carry a picture on their own slight shoulders - I mean, really make it a success. Sure, Bill Pullman helped, but this really was Sandra all the way, in a sappy, soapy, cliché-ridden slight story of sudden romance usually very hard to buy into. But because Sandra is there on the screen throughout nearly every frame, it all works out, and you're rooting for her happiness in the final few minutes even knowing very well what is about to happen. It's like you've seen it all before, but Sandra makes you want to see it again. We are all very fortunate, those of us who have seen this story, that it was Sandra in the central role and not someone like (shudder) Demi Moore. And if a guy is really fortunate, he may meet someone like Sandra in real life.

I adore this movie, it's easily one of my favourites. Another reviewer said that the best time to watch it is in the winter, and whilst I'm happy to watch it any time of the year, I would agree that it seems all the more magical when it's freezing cold outside, and you're snuggled under a blanket.

I'm glad no other actors were given any of the roles in this film, it wouldn't have been the same. Sandra is adorable as Lucy. She has no sinister intent, she's just swept up in the commotion and in the end, falls in love with the whole family. Her speech toward the end chokes me up so much, it's completely heartfelt. Bill Pullman also shines, he falls for her gradually and their chemistry is so lovely to watch.

If you want a gentle, unbelievably romantic film to watch on a cold evening, this is the one for you.

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is a train token taker without a family. She pines for frequent commuter Peter (Peter Gallagher), but never speaks to him. Then on Christmas, Peter gets pushed off the platform, and she rescues him. In the hospital, the family mistakes her for his fiancée. While he's in a coma, she and his brother Jack (Bill Pullman) slowly falls for each other.

This is a perfectly harmless Sandra Bullock rom-com, and she's so great at it. She can make any preposterous situations work. This movie is about Bullock's vulnerable charm. The biggest problem is that Bill Pullman doesn't get in the movie until almost 30 minutes in. They need more time together to develop the chemistry. I don't know why he doesn't get in right from the start.

I'm so glad that movies like this exist because every now and then you need something like this to relax and enjoy it for what it is.

Sandra Bullock plays a lonely lady who works in a toll booth for the elevated train in Chicago. Her life is so empty that she begins fantasizing about having a relationship with a handsome customer. One day, this customer is robbed and thrown onto the track as a train is coming. Sandra pulls him off the track and accompanies his to the hospital, as he's in a coma. Through a funny mistake, the hospital staff thing she's his fiancée and the problem quickly snowballs when his family arrives and they, too, think she's engaged to their son.

This is a lovely romantic comedy--one of the best of the last several decades. Also, despite this very simple plot, the film does a great job of setting the mood and creating characters you will love. It's very engaging and sweet and I enjoyed it significantly more than SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (another fine film)--mostly because the film has such a great sense of humor. Oddly,despite having so much going for it, the rating for this is surprisingly low her on IMDb AND Leonard Maltin's guide also gives it a pretty low score. While I may sound like a fathead, I really can't understand why the score is so low as the writing is so clever, the acting excellent and the ensemble supporting cast so sweet while not being saccharine.

A wonderful and nearly perfect film--a terrific date movie or just a film if you could use a laugh or smile.

"While You Were Sleeping" is a delightful romantic comedy that warms the heart and leaves a smile on your face. Directed by Jon Turteltaub and released in 1995, this timeless gem takes audiences on a whimsical journey of love, fate, and unexpected connections. With a charming cast, witty dialogue, and a healthy dose of feel-good moments, "While You Were Sleeping" remains a beloved classic in the genre even after all these years.

The film revolves around Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock), a lonely and kind-hearted ticket collector in a Chicago subway station. Lucy secretly harbors a crush on a handsome commuter named Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher), who she frequently sees during her shifts. One fateful day, Lucy saves Peter from an oncoming train accident, but he falls into a coma as a result.

In a twist of fate, Lucy is mistaken as Peter's fiancée when she accompanies him to the hospital. As Peter's family, including his charming brother Jack (Bill Pullman), embraces Lucy, she finds herself caught in an intricate web of lies. The situation becomes even more complicated when Lucy starts to develop feelings for Jack, creating a delightful and heartwarming romantic entanglement.

Review: "While You Were Sleeping" is an endearing and enchanting romantic comedy that strikes the perfect balance between humor, charm, and genuine emotion. The film's strength lies in its engaging and relatable characters, who effortlessly draw the audience into their world. Sandra Bullock shines in her role as Lucy, capturing the character's vulnerability, wit, and innate goodness. Her performance is both lovable and relatable, making Lucy someone viewers can't help but root for.

The chemistry between Bullock and Bill Pullman, who plays Jack, is undeniable and adds an extra layer of magic to the film. Pullman brings a wonderful blend of warmth, sincerity, and subtle humor to his character, making Jack an ideal romantic counterpart for Lucy. Their interactions are filled with delightful banter and subtle moments of connection, creating a palpable and captivating on-screen romance.

The supporting cast, including Peter Gallagher as the comatose Peter and a scene-stealing performance by Jack Warden as Lucy's endearing neighbor, further elevate the film. Each character brings their own unique quirks and charm, adding depth and humor to the narrative. The ensemble cast works seamlessly together, creating a vibrant and cohesive on-screen dynamic.

The screenplay by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow strikes the perfect balance between lighthearted comedy and heartfelt moments. The witty and clever dialogue, combined with the film's whimsical premise, keeps the audience engaged and entertained throughout. Turteltaub's direction ensures a smooth flow of the story, allowing the film to unfold at a comfortable pace while maintaining its captivating charm.

The film's setting in Chicago provides a picturesque backdrop for the story, with its snow-covered streets and cozy urban atmosphere. The cinematography beautifully captures the city's magic, adding a touch of enchantment to the overall cinematic experience. The accompanying soundtrack, featuring a mix of romantic melodies and upbeat tunes, enhances the film's emotional beats and further immerses viewers in its world.

Ultimately, "While You Were Sleeping" is a heartwarming and feel-good romantic comedy that stands the test of time. Its endearing.

Oh Sandra, only you could trick your way into a family and make me still fall in love with you. Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock have such good chemistry in this film, I am surprised they never acted in anything else together. And to think this movie was almost called "Coma Guy."

I am not really a fan of romantic comedies. I tend to find them lame most of the time. However, this one is not bad. There's something about this one that sets it apart from others of its genre. It isn't boring, lame or mushy stuff. This one is original, fresh, funny and romantic. Plus, it takes place at Christmas time. Actually, it captures the Christmas spirit and it shows us houses full of lovely Christmas decorations and lights.

This movie is naturally more recommendable for those who like "sugary" stories or romantic stories and even for those who still believe in love. Yet, it is a reasonable choice for those who are unhappy in love or bitter about it.

The soundtrack is quite good. One of the movie's best songs is Natalie Cole's oldie "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)". The opening credits combine expressive and beautiful sights of Chicago with Natalie Cole's old classic.

The actors are generally good and portray generally likable characters. Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman form a perfect couple and their chemistry is faultless. The rest of the cast is not bad too: Jack Warden, Peter Boyle, Jason Bernard (he's hilarious in this movie) and Glynis Johns (best known as Mrs. Banks from "Mary Poppins").

The role of Lucy Eleanor Moderatz was originally for Demi Moore, but I'm glad that it went for the beautiful Sandra Bullock instead. Sandy is perfect for this role. I don't see Demi in this role.

There are many funny moments during the movie, including a hilarious one with a newspaper's boy falling off his bike. Then again, the movie is, in general, fun and amusing, aside some "humor" of discussable taste.

Next time you are depressed, this is the perfect pick me up. If you like watching the same movies over and over, this is great for that also. The chemistry between the two main characters is outstanding, much better than in this year's Two Weeks' Notice. Laugh out loud and cry out loud.

Sandra Bullock is a working girl who wants to travel. She has no family, and is usually stuck doing holiday shifts in the Chicago transit system (as a toll booth clerk on the elevated railway). She has noted one man who uses the station all the time (Peter Gallagher), and rescues him when he is thrown onto the train tracks just before a train comes into the station. Gallagher is in a coma and (due to a well-intentioned nurse) Bullock is introduced to the family of Gallagher as his fiancé. She tries to tell them the truth, but when she learns his grandmother (Glynis Johns) has a heart problem she hesitates. Soon she is treated as a member of this nice family as a member (well, she did save Gallagher, and she is thought to be his fiancé). Only his brother (Bill Pullman) has real doubts, and keeps mentioning them (and keeps apologizing for them. Bullock and Pullman find that they are also growing more attracted to each other. The film shows how these problems are resolved. And it is all done in a most charming manner.

This is one of those films that would take only a few minutes to quickly resolve in the real world, where Bullock would have told the truth early on. But the audience is allowed to suspend it's disbelief because the characters are uniformly likable. Although Jack (Pullman) is constantly questioning Bullock's story, each time she gives a plausible explanation of what is going on, and Pullman likes her enough to accept these explanations. The only one who knows the truth is the family friend Sam (Jack Warden) and he too feels that the news has to be broken carefully (he loves the family and doesn't want them hurt). Oddly enough his one effort at meddling almost screws up the situation in the film for Bullock, Pullman, and Gallagher. Pullman also faces the truth and explains to his father (Peter Boyle) that he doesn't want to continue in the family business. Boyle's reaction becomes important too.

The performances are flawless, and one finds oneself rooting for most of the cast (the sole exception is the actress playing "Ashley", Peter Galagher's actual girl friend). Her opposite number, "Joe Jr." is too comic a figure to dislike (in fact, at one point he thinks Pullman is annoying Bullock and offers to take care of him - not the act of a rat at all). For a sweet, lovable love tale WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING is hard to top. In the last decade only WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, WORKING GIRL, PRETTY WOMAN, NOTTING HILL, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, and YOU'VE GOT MAIL are on par with it, but the family becomes so important to Bullock in the plot this has a special warmth in it that is quite is different from most of the others.

Ah, I love stories where you can watch a situation snowballs into a preposterous-size-disaster that could crush an entire house. Especially when it is a "drama" problem that can be solved by telling a few people using the right words, but you still wince as it starts to develop and your imagination runs wild. But quickly you know where it's going and the upcoming disaster loses focus.. well, that and the giant movie poster.

I quite like the setting and locations, pacing, the dialogue is good, the charming family and the emotional delivery of the resolution (Sandra Bullock is good for a reason). Easy and harmless watch.

While You Were Sleeping describes exactly what I was doing through parts of this movie. The plot was more predictable than any other movie I've seen, and the acting in it was so monotonous, that I could barely stay awake. This movie was definitely a "chick flick," if even any women could like it.

It's a screw-ball romantic comedy worthy of all of the heritage of the genre.

Having said that, it's also a pleasant antidote to war porn masquerading as "high art" and to actual porn, because it's a wonderful reflection on the importance of kindness in the world.

Sandra Bullock is delightful, 'natch. Bill Pullman is enchanting, and Peter Gallagher is... engaging... as a man in a coma.

Watch this is you just want to find a speck of decency in a scary world.

Set in Chicago, Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock) is a lonely CTA fare token working who doesn't have any family due to the passing of her father some years back and continues to work on Holidays. Lucy nurses a crush on Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher), a recurring passenger she sees every day but has yet to talk to. While working Christmas Day, Lucy sees Peter get mugged and knocked onto the tracks by the muggers. Lucy rushes to the unconscious Peter and saves him from the path of an oncoming train and accompanies him to the hospital where through a misunderstanding the hospital staff believe Lucy to be Peter's fiancé. The rest of Peter's family soon arrive at the hospital and warmly embrace Lucy thankful that she saved Peter's life and eagerly welcome her into their family much Lucy's shock as she wants to quell the misunderstanding but grandmother Elsie (Glynis Johns) has a heart condition and the misunderstanding becomes more and more ingrained as the family falls in love with Lucy and she with them. Eventually Peter's brother Jack (Bill Pullman) comes home and learns of Lucy and immediately questions Lucy and Peter's relationship, but over time Jack falls for Lucy.

While You Were Sleeping emerged as a hot commodity in the early 90s as the script by Dan Sullivan and Fred Lebow, then titled Coma Guy, was the subject of bidding war among multiple studios until Disney label Hollywood Pictures purchased the project and almost immediately put it into production positioning it as a vehicle for Sandra Bullock following potential leads Demi Moore and Julia Roberts turning down the role. Bullock had come to public prominence alongside Keanu Reeves in 1994's Speed which saw audiences and critics fall for her comedic style and likable personality and While You Were Sleeping was Bullock's first time carrying a film. Paired up with likable actor Bill Pullman (the unsung hero of Sleepless in Seattle), the movie became a massive hit during its initial release making $180 million worldwide against its $17 million budget and cementing Bullock's movie star status as well as catapulting Pullman to more high profile projects. While You Were Sleeping is a charming film that works due to a lovable cast who make this very hard to swallow premise more palatable than it would've been in lesser hands.

Bullock is very good in the role of Lucy as much like her previous role Annie in Speed, Bullock does well playing that very "down to earth" woman who's thrown into a crazy situation (not out of control bomb bus crazy, but still) and her performance coupled with her natural likability makes you buy into this misunderstanding as there's a genuine sweetness from her character as she interacts with the Callaghan family. The Callaghan family is filled with a plethora of larger than life personalities who all get a chance to shine with reliable staples such as Jack Warden and Peter Boyle getting some solid moments, and Glynis Johns is playing the polar opposite of her character from The Ref and owning every minute of it, and Bill Pullman is a charming presence who exhibits great chemistry with Bullock and makes the movie work.

The movie's script works more on plays to emotion than it does to logic and the movie's pretty upfront about what it is from the opening narration by Lucy that shows her as a child being read Sleeping Beauty by her father that pretty much sets up this story as a non-magical contemporary take on the Sleeping Beauty story so that by itself gives the movie a ton of leeway in terms of what it's able to get away with regarding this far fetched premise. The only part of the movie that hasn't really aged all that well is a recurring gag involving the character of Joe Fusco Jr. Played by Michael Rispoli who's one of the more "90s" things about this movies attitudes that hasn't really stood the test of time. It's not mean spirited or anything and the actor does what's expected of him, but it is something where you just have to say "it was a different time".

While You Were Sleeping is a charming movie that does everything you expect from a good romantic comedy as it features two likable leads, a strong supporting cast, and moments of genuine sincerity and sweetness that make for affable viewing. Not all parts of the film are winners such as certain side characters/subplots, but there's more than enough really strong elements and performances to make this well worth viewing.

It's amazing to realize how much the rom-com genre has evolved over the last 10 or 15 years. Compare While You Were Sleeping, for instance, with Must Like Dogs. While still hewing to the traditional rom-com plot arc, the latter has subtlety, wit, depth, and a delicate touch. While You Were Sleeping Does not.

Everything about this movie is predictable, including Bullock's performance. It's interesting to see the earlier work of someone who's been in the business for over 15 years. In her case (as is the case with the bewilderingly overrated Julia Roberts), Bullock seems to have developed a set of pat reactions early on and not strayed too far from them.

The only redeeming feature of this picture is that it's not *completely* insulting to our intelligence. Plus there are some believable, though stock, performances by supporting players. Other than that, it has nothing to offer.