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While You Were Sleeping (PG, 1995)

common sense media says

Appealing family comedy with old-fashioned feel.

parents & educators say
See all 12 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is basically an old fashioned comedy with a bit of cursing and some selfish behavior. There's also a bit of sexual innuendo.

Positive messages: Family love, loss, loneliness, honesty and romance are all in this story. While the main character, Lucy, lies in the beginning she redeems herself.
Positive role models: The main character lies to get what she wants, but realizes she must tell the truth.
Violence: A man is mugged and pushed onto train tracks.
Sex: Some sexual references and kissing.
Language: Some mild cursing.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on While You Were Sleeping

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the great tradition of romantic comedies.
  • What makes them funny?
  • What's the tension that gets resolved?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is a Chicago El train token collector who has a crush on a man (Peter Gallagher) who doesn't even know her. Then one day she sees him being mugged and pushed onto the El tracks -- she rescues him and goes with him to the hospital, where a nurse overhears her say to herself, "I was going to marry him." Soon everyone, including Peter's family, thinks she's Peter's fiancé, and Lucy soon finds herself too caught up in the affectionate madness to tell the truth. Even after Peter wakes up -- not remembering her but assuming it's amnesia -- and Lucy realizes she actually loves his brother, Jack (Bill Pullman), she still can't tell the truth. Will she end up marrying the right brother?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This sweet, romantic fairy tale made a star out of Sandra Bullock, and gave Bill Pullman the chance to show off his softer side. Both give charming performances, and they're supported wonderfully by Peter Boyle, Jack Warden, and Glynis Johns. As Jack's eccentric family, these screen veterans provide a humorous backdrop for the story. Their good-natured warmth makes Lucy's pretense understandable, if not acceptable.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING has an old-fashioned feel. While it's patterned after the classic romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s (It Happened One Night, The Philadelphia Story), it's not up to the lofty standards of these predecessors. Still, the movie's clever writing, gentle humor, and strong performances make up for its shortcomings. It is a good choice for parents to watch with their older kids, because there's something here to appeal to both generations. A 14-year-old viewer identified with the main character's romantic longings, and her adult companion liked the movie's light humor and happy resolution.

Movie themes & details

Themes
holidays
Movie Details
Studio: Hollywood Pictures
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher, Sandra Bullock
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release: April 21, 1995
DVD release: February 4, 1998
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some language
This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

yankeepeg
adult
12
 
Definitely not appropriate for under 12 !
I really like this movie myself, but more conservative parents might object to the language and innuendo. One character lies to others that he's having a sexual relationship with another character. One character is cheating on her husband who IS THERE and knows about it and wants her back. This same cheating wife calls another character a "one-balled bast**d". When the main character states that she and her alleged-fiance are waiting until they're married to have a sexual relationship, her best friend looks at her like she's crazy!
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taco22
kid, 12 years old
10
 
Watch This Movie and Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Probably one of the best romantic comedies in the world! It showed up on my recomendations page and so I decided to give it a shot. It is awesome!
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moviegeek
adult
 
Perfect for mother-daughter movie night!
This is such a sweet and romantic movie. Another plus - it's funny! Sandra Bullock is perfectly charming and sweet in her role. I love her weird and annoying neighbour! SO FUNNY. Rent it - you won't be disappointed.
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worstsitever
kid, 13 years old
8
 
Remember this movie...
I can't believe this showed up in my reccomendations! I remember watching this movie with my parents. Although the cover gives the entire movie away. :p
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Tsion
parent of 15 year old
11
 
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING does one thing: highlights the sex appeal of the two stars, Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman, by giving them numerous times to melt in each others arms and stare smoldering into each other's eyes. The story is ridiculous: Bullock saves her dream man from a mugging, pretends to be his fiance while he's in a coma, and then falls head over heels for his brother. However, Bullock pulls it off. She is really the only great thing about this film, which is otherwise full of holes. In the end, you are completely moved by Bullock's tearful scene at the movie's climax. There is little objectionable material. There is a running joke about a man who has only one testicle. Brief mention is made of a sexual relationship, and there are a few "d**n"s and one "b****rd".
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HSMlovr
teen, 16 years old
 
I love it!!!
Are you looking for a fun,sweet, oldfashioned , romantic comedy for the whole family? If you are "While You Were Sleeping" is the movie for you and your family! I personally loved this movie and I think you'll love it too! This movie has just a speck of adult humor but most of it is family friendly!
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FutureActress
kid, 13 years old
11
 
:) Love it!
Love it! Great movie! This is one of my favorite movies and soon it will be yours. Bullock does a great job in romantic comidies. My only concerns are some sexual language and some bad words. Other than that, its a great movie for kids 11 and up. I think its a little iffy for kids under ten becuase in one scene the family talks about Peters lower body. I hope you like the movie as much as I did!
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TakeTheCannolis
adult
2
 
Ugh! What an absolutely awful, insipid film! You'd have to be braindead to believe this dumb plot. We're supposed to believe that Sandar Bullock can't get a date? Or that the family is stupid as to believe her lies? Or, that the guy would go along with the ruse and marry her even though he doesn't remember her? Or, that they wouldn't immediately call the police to arrest this obviously deranged stalker when they finally learn the truth? No one with an IQ above the level of moron should watch this movie. The amnesia episode of Gilligan's Island is more intelligent that this sentimental dreck!
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dancing girl
kid, 12 years old
10
 
Very appropriate movie
I liked the movie, it isn't the best movie in the world, but it's good. Sandra Bullocks did a very good job and it was funny and there was romance. Who couldn't love that!
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Phil1995
kid, 13 years old
10
 
If your looking for another great perfomace by Sandra Bullock you found one!
Before I saw this movie I never heard of Sandra Bullock. Im glad I saw this movie. The first time I saw it I was probaly seven. I didnt pay any attention to the movie, but then I saw it when I was eleven and I loved it. Sandra Bullock is great in romatic comodies. She is my favorite actress and has inspired me to try to be an actress some day. You really need to watch this movie. Its great!
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anonymous343
teen, 17 years old
 
A must-see for tweens!!
I watched this movie for the second time, after seeing it a really long time ago, and I loved it. It's a great, funny romance, with great actors, and clever plot. There's a few things brought up about underwear, but it really isn't a problem, and although the main character lies about the main plot, I think that's what makes it interesting. I think ages 9 and up. MUST WATCH!!!!!
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hagrid21
kid, 13 years old
10
 
A Great Family Romantic Comedy
While You Were Sleeping is a great movie about a girl who is in love with a man who doesn't even know her. She observes him being mugged and saves his life. In the hospital, she poses as his fiancee and his family embraces her. One use of a** and a couple uses of H***.
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