Where to watch It Could Happen to You
3 Stars
Charlie and Muriel Lang have led simple lives for most of their existence. That’s until they win $4 million on the lottery. There is a problem, however. Prior to winning the lottery, Charlie had eaten at a café and hadn’t been able to tip the waitress. He had promised her, jokingly, that if he won the lottery he’d give her half of it. This is why his wife, Muriel, decides to leave him. She doesn’t want the waitress to get a cent of their money. In fact, she wants all $4 million for herself.
Nicolas Cage and director Andrew Bergman reunite after their successful first collaboration, Honeymoon in Vegas. It Could Happen to You isn’t a great romantic comedy, but it’s skillfully made and performed, and the film is able to capture the appropriate tone to make the whimsical story work. Cage and Bridget Fond produce gentle chemistry that makes them easy to root for, while Rosie Perez gives another high-energy comedic performance and nearly runs off with the movie in the process.
It Could Happen to You hinges on believable casting and writing; Bergman has wisely selected an ultra-capable cast, and the lean screenplay from Jane Anderson tells an earnest, heartfelt, and entertaining story. Cage and his co-stars are all working within their established ranges, and sometimes it’s nice to be in the hands of skilled craftsmen, even if the result is paper-thin. Cage gives an understated performance that is right in line with his character and the film’s tone.
Directed by: Andrew Bergman
Written by: Jane Anderson
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Bridget Fonda, Rosie Perez