Review: While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Director: Jon Turteltaub | 103 minutes | comedy, romance | Actors: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Jack Warden, Glynnis Johns, Micole Mercurio, Jason Bernard, Michael Rispoli, Ally Walken, Monica Keena, Ruth Rudnick, Maria Wright, Dick Cusack

Lucy is so shy that she hardly dares to look at the man she is in love with, let alone speak to him. Her crush is actually not based on anything, but in her fantasy she lives with Peter on a pink cloud. When they get to know her after the accident, Peter’s family is so taken with her that every time she wants to confess the truth, there always seems to be a reason not to. And although she feels uncomfortable with the misunderstanding that continues, she cannot resist the warmth and cosiness of Peter’s family.

Her crush on Peter is based solely on his good looks, but when she gets to know his brother Jack (Bill Pullman), a two-sided true love is born that confuses both her and him. When Peter wakes up from his coma and his real fiancé comes over, events tumble over each other and the chaos is complete.

Sandra Bullock plays Lucy in a sweet, charming way that makes you sympathize with her dilemma. Should she confess the truth and thereby lose the love and affection of her newly acquired family, or should she shut up while struggling to cheat? It’s not right what she’s doing, but who wants such a sweet, lonely young woman to be left out in the cold again?

It sparkles between Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. They are definitely in love. At first he has reservations about her, but as he gets to know her better, he falls for her. That development is very likely. All in all, “While You Were Sleeping” is a heartwarming comedy that creates an overall sense of well-being.