At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

With the curtain being drawn back to reveal a soft focus NYC skyline by a woman taking down her rooftop laundry line and the film's narrator, Issac "Shaft" Hayes, starting the film off with the words "Once upon a time..." the fairy tale tone is set for this charming love story set in the big city. Nicholas Cage plays a kindly NYC police officer who one day doesn't have enough money to tip a waitress, Bridgette Fonda, so he promises her that he'll split the winnings of his lottery ticket if he wins. Cage does hit the lottery jackpot and he and Fonda become media sensations when he follows through with his promise. Cage follows through with his promise much to the consternation of his greedy, self-centered, materialistic wife, Rosie Perez, and Fonda has to fend off her gold digging, irresponsible separated husband, Stanley Tucci. With their awful partners, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Cage and Fonda become star crossed lovers in a highly predictable, but none-the-less highly enjoyable film in the mold of 1930s/40s romantic comedy. The story is pure Hallmark Channel sap, but director Andrew Bergman and the two leads bring so much charm and likability to the film that it's nearly impossible to resist. For all the terrible films Cage has appeared in, this film served to remind me of what a good actor he can be, particularly because it was so different from his more frequent over-the-top, wild-man roles (i.e. "Wild at Heart," "Leaving Las Vegas," "Face-Off," etc.). Cage has a quiet easy charm in this film, playing a kind, very ordinary of character, which I'd forgotten he was able to play. Fonda is equally good as the kindhearted waitress and as whenever I see one of her film, I miss seeing her in new films and would love to see her come out of retirement. The two make an terrific onscreen couple and it's hard not to smile as you see them walking the streets of NYC, playing baseball with kids over Frank Sinatra standards, or even when they're doing the very 1990s activity of rollerblading through Central Park. However, one thing that jumped out at me, and maybe I'm reading too much into this, but there seemed to be a weird racist undercurrent with the waspy Cage and Fonda being unhappy in their marriages to their more "ethnic" of partners (Latina Perez and Italian Tucci). There's also a scene in the film where cage stops a convince store robber and the robber for no apparent reason is middle eastern. I hope this all was unintentional, but it did have an off-putting effect that was completely unnecessary in moving forward the film's plot. Despite that bit of likely unintentional racism, I really do love this film. The leads are terrific. The photography by Oscar nominated cinematographer Caleb Deschanel (father of Zoey and Emily Deschanel) has the same kind of mythic feel he brought to "The Natural" and "The Right Stuff". The Carter Burwell score is gorgeous, as are the song choices, which include Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, The Supremes, and contemporary artists like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, and Wynton Marsalis, which serves as a nice bridge between the film's classic sensibilities and the modern setting. It's a charming and sweet old fashioned romantic comedy that just as easily could have starred Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Overall, "It Could Happen to You" is a the type of romantic comedy you'd seen a hundred times before, but overcomes it's cliches and familiarities to become one of the better if not one of the best examples of this type of fluffy rom com.

American film "It could happen to you" has the ability to drain its viewers emotionally. It can be said that while watching this film, audiences are going to forge different love and hate relationships with this film's actors. Those who believe in goodness above everything else would love roles played by actors Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda. Those who place money above all human relationships would love actress Rosie Perez's character. However, most people would agree that due to her cacophonous voice, her character is reduced to that of an obnoxious woman who appears quite reprehensible on most occasions. Time and again, it is said that altruism and goodness have not yet disappeared from the hearts of human beings. This is depicted through the honest yet poignant portrayal of a kind cop who decides to share a lottery ticket with an ordinary waitress. One can sense that there is some kind of ethical code at work when he agrees to keep his promise despite some serious reservations from his wife. For a long time, audiences have associated Nicolas Cage with glamor and show business. This film reveals that he is an important actor too. He would continue to deliver another fine performance in 1999 when he would star in "Bringing out the dead"-a Martin Scorcese film about an ambulance paramedic.

'It Could Happen to You' is the sort of film, that touches the core of your heart. Its a cute film, with wonderful performances. 'It Could Happen to You' Synopsis: A police officer promises to share his lottery ticket with a waitress in lieu of a tip.'It Could Happen to You', which is inspired by a real-life incident, is a feel-good romantic-comedy, about people who are in need of money & love. Its entirely & unabashedly a human-story, that displays romance & life's usual hiccups with earnestness.Jane Anderson's Screenplay is well-balanced. It has its share of humor & romance. Andrew Bergman's Direction is excellent. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design are fair.Performance-Wise: Nicolas Cage is wonderful, as always. Bridget Fonda is beautifully restrained, offering a performance of pure emotion. Rosie Perez is extra-ordinary. She slips into her character effortlessly. Wendell Pierce is first-rate. Stanley Tucci & Richard Jenkins are decent. The Late/Great Isaac Hayes leaves a mark. On the whole, 'It Could Happen to You' works. Thumbs Up!

This is such a cute movie! I love how the characters-Yvonne and Charlie, win the lottery yet remain the same as they were before winning. They're still kind and selfless and I have to admire that. This is definitely a movie worth seeing. The acting is very good, I'm very impressed. I just don't know how Charlie married Muriel! They are totally different people. You have Muriel who wouldn't dare give money to a homeless man instead she would buy something for herself whereas Charlie is the complete opposite. Others come first and I think that's a lesson learned. The plot of this movie is so positive and so uplifting! I just love it! Charlie's character reminds me a bit of George Bailey from 'It's A Wonderful Life', another movie that I categorize into my favorites. So yes, you can say this is a positive review.