Movie: While You Were Sleeping

Release Date: April 21, 1995

Director: Jon Turtletaub

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Peter Boyle, Glynis Johns, Jack Warden.

Tag Lines: “A story about love at second sight.”

Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, Sandra Bullock (nomination).

Relevance: One of the last quotes of ‘While You Were Sleeping’ is “Life doesn’t always turn out the way you planned.” Ain’t that the truth.

I saw this movie sometime in May of 1995 soon after its release in theaters. It was a distraction of sorts. At that time I was finishing up graduate school, planning a wedding, moving to another state and starting a new job all within a two month period. A very hectic time to say the least. So going to the movies was a break, a place where I could sit down for two hours, breathe, forget about life for awhile and eat popcorn. And that is what I did, with the help of Sandra Bullock and ‘While You Were Sleeping.’

The movie was pure joy. Funny and touching, it was the perfect romantic comedy for anyone who is a fan of that genre. Most of its success had to do with Sandra Bullock. After her breakout performance in ‘Speed,’ she was the new “it” girl and this film catapulted her into stardom. She was delightful. And because of both this movie and ‘Speed,’ she became one of my favorite actresses. In fact, this is the first of three movies that she stars in to make this list.

It is a movie that I have watched countless times over the years. It is almost a “comfort food” movie for me. You know, that food you always navigate towards when life is “ugly” and you need some familiarity and soothing. For me it’s Mac n’ Cheese. Well, I have a few movies that make me feel the same way that Mac n’ Cheese does. This is one of those movies. I watched it when the wedding I was planning in 1995 ended in divorce. I watch it after I move into a new place, and I have moved quite a bit. I watch it after funerals. I watched it after I lost my job of almost twenty five years almost two months ago. Comfort food. Comfort movie. It may sound silly to some, but it works for me.

Today’s Thoughts: Wrapped up with a blanket, wearing pajamas with a bowl of popcorn watching a movie isn’t the worst way to spend a few hours. The fact that the movie is ‘While You Were Sleeping’ is just a huge bonus. Because you know it’s going to make you smile.

And smile I did. You just can’t help it. No matter how many people will argue that the movie is cliche, simple and not realistic is missing its point. All the movie wants to do is tell a romantic tale and make you laugh and feel good about things for awhile. It’s so funny! And it’s humor is still very successful twenty-five years after its release. That says a lot.

Everyone in the cast is perfect, from Peter Boyle to Bill Pullman to Glynis Johns, but its true star was and always will be Sandra Bullock. She is absolutely wonderful as Lucy, lighting up every scene that she is in. It’s no shock to this fan that she became the huge celebrity that she did.

‘While You Were Sleeping’ is the perfect movie to watch while you are quarantined, self-isolating or social distancing, whichever you may be currently practicing. Like its star, it is sweet, funny, charming and lovable, with a warmth that will stay with you long after it is over. Comfort.

Ways to Watch:YouTube, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, Disney+, DVD Availability.