While You Were Sleeping (1995)

Review by All Movie Guide
A tight, fun little romantic comedy that made a big star of female lead Sandra Bullock, this hit benefits greatly from the light-as-air touch of director Jon Turteltaub, who doesn't condescend as much to his audience as many of the genre's other filmmakers. A throwback to the screwball genre of another era, the film coasts along on charm, memorable dialogue (a line about the main character who "sits in a booth like a veal" as a transit system toll collector is a nice, early turn of phrase), and palpable chemistry between its leads. Supporting players are excellent, particularly Jack Warden as an irascible grandfather who's the brains of the outfit, and Michael Rispoli as a clueless suitor. The real selling point here is that the whole affair is presented with a wink and a nudge, as if Turteltaub and his cast are telling the viewer, "Yeah, we know it's all pretty goofy, but sit back, relax, and enjoy it as much as we are." Everybody seems to be having such a good time that it's impossible not to like While You Were Sleeping (1995) and that's where the film succeeds; in less capable hands and with less astute casting, it probably would have been a major dud. A gifted director of breezy, bubbly comedy, Turteltaub has only gone astray when attempting to create serious drama, such as his later flop Instinct (1999). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide