The Basic Plot
Sandra Bullock (who has a home here in the great state of Texas, I might add!) stars as Lucy Eleanor Moderatz, a lonely single woman with no living relatives. Her life consists of working as a token collector in a booth for the Chicago Transit Authority, and pining after a dark, handsome stranger (Peter Gallagher) who passes by her token booth every day.

On Christmas Day, a mugging leaves the stranger, Peter, knocked unconscious and he falls onto the El tracks. Lucy saves his life by jumping onto the tracks and rolling him out of harm's way, then getting him to the hospital.

Through a very innocent mistake, a nurse overhears Lucy mumble something about marrying the man. The misunderstandings (and laughs) begin as the stranger's family then believes that Lucy is their son's fiancee, as well as his rescuer.

Lucy is a honest girl and wants to clear the air, but one event after another keeps her from finding the right moment. Meanwhile, she finds herself falling in love with Peter's family, enjoying all the color they bring into her lonely life.

Then Lucy meets Jack, the brother of comatose Peter, and Jack grows increasingly suspicious of his brother's "fiancee". As Jack challenges Lucy, and the two of them begin to be attracted to each other, the obstacles keep piling up as Peter awakens and his REAL fiancee shows up.

Rating and Content
A PG film, there is nothing very objectionable in it. Some mild cursing, some alcohol, but no nudity or sex.

Film Genre?
Is it a "chick flick" or a "date movie"? I've heard it called those things, and I actually disagree. *Gasp!* My husband, Mr. Macho himself, liked this film as much as I did. He even quotes from it occasionally.

To label it as a "chick flick" or "date movie" will scare away a lot of viewers who will really like this one. Yes, it's romantic, but it is very well-done, not sappy and goofy and Hollywood-ized. And there are enough laughs in here to keep you entertained through the whole film. It is predictable, but this movie reminds me of the quote that "It's the journey, not the destination!" Isn't that what REAL love is actually about?

The Nitty Gritty
This movie works well – you don't have to strain too hard to find it believable. You don't find yourself wanting to throw up over sappy ooze, or shield your child's eyes while the two "lovers" eat each other's faces off in what is supposedly a "romantic" kiss. Sorry, none of that here. This is just good, clean fun. (If that sounds boring to you, you must lead a strange life)

I like the pairing of Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. Though there aren't any fireworks, there is a magnetic pull of sorts, and their friendship is so believable. When compared to other pairs such as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sean Connery in "Entrapment", I'm glad to see a leading lady matched with a man closer to her own age for once!!

The Acting & Cast
Sandra's character, Lucy, has some actual depth to her. She is a 3-dimensional being, and you actually feel what she is feeling at times. Sandra Bullock does a stellar job in this film, as do the rest of the cast.

Bill Pullman is great, and I'm glad he finally got the girl (since he had to give up Meg Ryan in "Sleepless In Seattle"). Michael Rispoli does a fabulous job as Lucy's landlord's son, Joe Jr., and perhaps my favorite character was Glynis Johns as slightly-loony Elsie. Ally Walker – and I really do mean this as a compliment – plays a great b*tch. The Callaghan family is hilarious, and they work well together. (Makes you wonder how any son of theirs could turn out to be such a jerk...)

There are a lot of great, quotable lines in here, and the actors deliver them well.

Summary
Even if you aren't the "romantic type", just give this film a chance. I tried for almost ten minutes to think of a con for this movie, and all I could come up with was this: There is a short scene in which Ashley Bartlett Bacon, the "other woman", tells Peter he can have her breasts back too, since he paid for those to be done as well. Very unnecessary, and not very funny, but the only real drawback to this film. "Try it once; it won't hurt!"

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS