Synopsis
Charlie Lang is a simple, kindhearted New York City cop. When he realizes he has no money to tip waitress Yvonne Biasi, Lang offers her half the winnings of his lottery ticket. Amazingly, the ticket happens to be a winner, in the sum of $4 million. True to his word, Lang proceeds to share the prize money with Biasi, which infuriates his greedy wife, Muriel. Not content with the arrangement, Muriel begins scheming to take all the money.
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Cast
- Nicolas CageCharlie Lang
- Bridget FondaYvonne Biasi
- Rosie PerezMuriel Lang
- Wendell PierceBo Williams
- Isaac HayesAngel Dupree
- Víctor RojasJesu
- Seymour CasselJack Gross
- Stanley TucciEddie Biasi
- J.E. FreemanSal Bontempo
- Red ButtonsWalter Zakuto
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
The movie is not so much about romance as about goodheartedness, which is a rarer quality, and not so selfish. And Cage has a certain gentleness that brings out nice soft smiles on Fonda's face. - 78
Austin Chronicle
Sure, Rosie Perez's greedy Muriel is a cartoon and her voice, always at full drill-bit whine, is wearing, but the warmth and graciousness apparent in every frame keep this movie touching and sweet. Give yourself over to this giving film and see what happens. - 70
Variety
What really make the film are Bergman’s general restraint despite the nature of the material, and the strong central performances. - 67
Entertainment Weekly
It Could Happen to You is a syrupy-sweet package undiluted by wit, tartness, observation. It would be easier to enjoy the stars in Charlie and Yvonne’s eyes if the movie didn’t keep patting them on the back. - 60
Empire
The result never comes close to being hilarious, merely cute in the corniest way. That it is more of a pleasure than it deserves, is down to the light, bright leads. Cage and Fonda are both charming, though he’s particularly endearing in his uncharacteristic but welcome turn as a soft-hearted, irresistable darling. The slightness is a disappointment, but the concoction is still very sweet indeed. - 60
Washington Post
In the end, It Could Happen to You is a lot like the cop and the waitress: sweet, naive, not too smart, but likable. In this pyrotechnic summer of "Speed," "Blown Away" and "True Lies," that's got to count for something. - 60
The New York Times
The other miracle is that the two stars of It Could Happen to You keep it sailing over a script that is often as predictable and flat as the movie's new title. - 60
Time Out London
Perez has a field day as Muriel, injecting a welcome note of good old-fashioned greed into what is otherwise a relentlessly edifying story.
