December 25, 2000 -- "The Family Man" is a slightly different riff on the story in the old movie "It's a Wonderful Life." A rich man is given a chance to experience his life in an alternate reality where he is poorer in material things, but wealthier in love, family and friendships.

In "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey gets to see what life would have been like in his town without his presence. In "The Family Man," Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage of "Gone in 60 Seconds") gets to see what life would have been like if he had married his old girlfriend instead of dumping her in favor of a fast track career in high finance. Both films deal with the ripple effect of one life on many others around them. They both rely on supernatural forces to show us what we would ordinarily not be able to see from our narrow perspectives. They are also too long (IAWL, 129 minutes, TFM, 126 minutes).

Campbell embarks on his odyssey one night when he steps into a dangerous situation at a convenience store. An angry customer, Cash (Don Cheadle of "Mission to Mars") pulls a gun on the store clerk. Campbell steps in and diffuses the situation with his polished negotiating skills. It turns out that Cash has some kind of supernatural powers. He causes Campbell to wake up in another life, the one he would have had if he had married his old sweetheart, Kate Reynolds (Téa Leoni of "Deep Impact"). He finds he has a low-paying job as a tire salesman for his father-in-law and his wife works for a non-profit law firm. He has two children and is happily married. He also good friends.

At first, he doesn't like his new life. He misses the money, power and prestige that he had before. He has a hard time dealing with the kids and the new job. Then, he begins to fit into his new life. I'm not a fan of "It's a Wonderful Life." I liked the "Saturday Night Live" ending better when the townspeople beat the crap out of evil old man Potter. I didn't like Bailey's martyr complex and I don't buy into the idea that the way to happiness is to stifle your dreams and do what you are told.

"The Family Man" is different. It starts with a guy who made his choice and is happy with it. He is successful and confident, not a person who whines about his missed opportunities. He is shown what his life would have been like if he had chosen love instead of material wealth. He gets a fair opportunity to see both paths and find which is better for him. Where the movie has problems is that it can't quite decide which path is better. Campbell wants to have it both ways. He wants the love and family life, but also the wealth and power. The movie makes the argument that he can't have both, but doesn't make the argument convincingly.

Nicholas Cage does his usual excellent work in the lead role. Téa Leoni is inadequate once again, coming off as more irritating than alluring as the love interest. Jeremy Piven of "Kiss the Girls" is good as Arnie, the next-door neighbor. The film, directed by Brett Ratner, is a little slow moving, but maintains a pretty smooth structure without resorting to a lot of flashbacks and off-screen narration to keep it on track. The story strays at one point and Campbell's "old" agressive personality emerges as he goes after a better job. The subplot doesn't really work. The whole argument that the family is better off with half the money and the kids in poorer schools rings hollow. It sends a mixed message. It also fails to advance the plot.

Overall, however, the film is mildly entertaining, thanks to the Cage's fine work, some romance and humor. There are a lot of people who can identify with a film about the choices one makes in life, and what would have happened if different choices had been made. It rates a C+.

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