While You Were Sleeping

Movie review by Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media
While You Were Sleeping Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 11+

Appealing family comedy with old-fashioned feel.

PG 1995 103 minutes
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 9 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 23 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that While You Were Sleeping is basically a charming, old-fashioned comedy with a bit of cursing and some selfish behavior. There's also a bit of sexual innuendo.

Community Reviews

Tsion
Tsion Adult
September 1, 2009
age 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".
1 person found this helpful.
yankeepeg
yankeepeg Adult
July 16, 2009
age 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!

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, 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?

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the great tradition of romantic comedies. How does While You Were Sleeping fit in?

  • What makes them funny?

  • What's the tension that gets resolved?

Movie Details

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