Just a damn shame that the lottery ticket actually wins. The grand total of $4 million to be exact. While Charlie’s wife Muriel (Rosie Perez) is happily planning on what she can spend the money on he breaks the news that he has promised half the winnings to the waitress. Of course she is appalled at the idea of giving away half her fortune, but Charlie being the decent man that he is returns to the coffee shop and gives the waitress her half.

There is some interesting narration to the story from Angel (Isaac Hayes) at the beginning of the film and again towards the end. The rest of the story depicts the effects of the money on their lives, greed and selfishness on the part of Muriel, and the complete opposite from her husband and the waitress. While they all go through tough times it’s a happily ever after fairy tale ending for the good guys. (The way a good Romance story should be)

Although as a true story the movie is barely believable, it is an uplifting tale that anyone could relate to. (I certainly wish it would happen to me!).

Nicholas Cage and Bridget Fonda are as usual exceptional actors, I have my doubts in the casting of Nicholas Cage as a goody goody cop though, it’s just a gut feeling from the generally stereotypical roles that he normally plays. I have a difficult time accepting him in this role. Rosie Perez however is grating and annoying, and is cast perfectly in this role as the greedy wife. (I just can’t get past that voice though).

The Transfer quality of the film has minimal faults, and is once again a good 16:9 Enhanced presentation from Columbia Tristar.
There is a soft focus diffused look to the film which is evidently to enhance the romantic feel to the movie but at times appears to be grainy and produces some slight smearing to faces. This also creates some difficulty in seeing detail in the darker scenes.

There does appear to be a fault in the closing credits if you sit through the lot, towards the very end, the text has a shaking appearance to it.

Colour saturation is almost perfect, occasionally maybe a little too vibrant but definitely not distracting from the picture quality.

There are two English sound formats, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 surround, and French Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround.
While I have watched the film in both there is little difference. The film is almost completely dialogue based and has very little opportunity to include the surround channels, which at times you have no surround effects at all. Almost a waste really.
Carter (Gods & Monsters) Burwell composed the musical score and while it is appropriate to create mood in the film it is not exactly enchanting, and lacks that enveloping experience.

The extra’s are a bit scarce, Always enjoyable the Dolby City Trailer, other than that; only the original theatrical trailer and the cast and crew filmographies.

Overall the film presents a feel good human-interest story which is well received but not overly believable as a true story. If you like that warm fuzzy feeling from a film, and love a romantic happy ending, you will enjoy.

Review Equipment
TV: GE 68cm (16:9 selectable)
DVD: Samsung DVD907  (via S-Video)
Receiver/Proc: Sansui A505 & Yamaha DSP-E390
Speakers:-
     Fronts: Wharfdale Diamond R6 (on a pair of custom made stands you'd KILL for)
     Centre: Venturi
     Rears: Sony bookshelf    

- reviewed 13th October 1999