It Could Happen to You Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cop, short on cash, promises a waitress half his lottery ticket, wins, his greedy wife goes ballistic, and everyone learns that being nice might actually pay off, which is statistically improbable.

🍿 It Could Happen to You: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Promise Made

Charlie Lang, a kind-hearted NYPD officer, is short on cash when he stops for coffee at a diner where Yvonne Biasi works as a waitress. Unable to leave a tip, he jokingly promises her half of his lottery winnings if his ticket hits. Yvonne, struggling with bankruptcy due to her estranged husband’s debts, accepts the unusual offer, never expecting anything to come of it. Charlie’s wife, Muriel, is materialistic and dreams of a life of luxury, constantly pushing Charlie to buy lottery tickets. She represents a stark contrast to Charlie’s generous and down-to-earth nature.

Winning the Lottery

To everyone’s surprise, Charlie’s lottery ticket wins $4 million. True to his word, Charlie insists on sharing the winnings with Yvonne, much to Muriel’s dismay. Muriel envisions a life of opulence and resents having to share their newfound wealth. The media quickly picks up the story of the generous cop and the struggling waitress, turning Charlie and Yvonne into local celebrities. Yvonne uses her share to buy the diner where she works and creates a “Charlie Lang” table where anyone who can’t afford a meal can eat for free.

Divorce and a Growing Connection

Muriel’s greed and dissatisfaction grow, leading to frequent arguments with Charlie. She becomes increasingly drawn to the trappings of wealth and high society. Eventually, Muriel leaves Charlie for a wealthier man, initiating divorce proceedings and demanding all the lottery money. As Charlie and Muriel drift apart, Charlie and Yvonne find themselves drawn together. Their shared values and genuine connection lead to a burgeoning romance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Charlie Lang (Nicolas Cage): A kind-hearted and honest NYPD officer who promises to share his lottery winnings with a waitress.
• Yvonne Biasi (Bridget Fonda): A down-on-her-luck but good-natured waitress who receives half of Charlie’s lottery winnings.
• Muriel Lang (Rosie Perez): Charlie’s materialistic and greedy wife who disapproves of his generosity and seeks to claim all the lottery money.
• Bo Williams (Wendell Pierce): Charlie’s supportive partner in the NYPD.
• Angel Dupree (Isaac Hayes): An undercover journalist who highlights Charlie and Yvonne’s generosity, leading to an outpouring of public support.
• Eddie Biasi (Stanley Tucci): Yvonne’s irresponsible ex-husband who left her in debt.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Charlie Lang: “A promise is a promise.” – Charlie’s unwavering belief in keeping his word, even when it means giving away a significant amount of money, is central to his character and the film’s moral core.
• Yvonne Biasi: “Because of me, you have nothing.” – Yvonne says this to Charlie, feeling guilty for the trouble she has caused him and Muriel.
• Charlie Lang: “Because of you, I have you.” – Charlie’s heartfelt response to Yvonne, showing that he values her more than money.
• Muriel Lang: “It’s my money! I deserve it!” – Muriel’s greed-fueled outburst, showing her true, selfish colors.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $37,939,757
• Worldwide Gross: $37,939,757

💥 It Could Happen to You Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore this movie! It’s such a heartwarming story that always makes me smile. The scene where the community sends Charlie and Yvonne money in envelopes gets me every time. It’s a feel-good movie that reminds you that there’s still good in the world. Nicolas Cage is perfectly cast as the good-hearted cop and Bridget Fonda is sweet and charming. Rosie Perez is hilarious as the greedy wife you just love to hate. Highly recommend if you need a pick-me-up.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy feel-good movies”
  • “People interested in stories about kindness and generosity”
  • “Those who like Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Brief violence (a grocery store robbery)”
  • “Mature themes (divorce, financial hardship)”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A sentimental and predictable but ultimately charming fairy tale, ‘It Could Happen to You’ benefits from the likable performances of Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda, even if Rosie Perez’s character feels overdrawn.
• Variety: “An unabashedly feel-good movie that manages to be both predictable and heartwarming. Cage and Fonda have an undeniable chemistry, making their characters’ unlikely romance believable. Perez is delightfully over-the-top as the materialistic wife.
• New York Times: “Despite its simple premise, ‘It Could Happen to You’ offers a refreshing dose of optimism. The film’s charm lies in its earnest portrayal of kindness and the genuine connection between Cage and Fonda.

Audience Reactions

The kindness and generosity of the main characters resonated deeply with viewers.: Many praised the film for its positive message and feel-good story.

Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda’s chemistry was highlighted as a major strength.: Viewers appreciated the heartwarming romance between the leads.

Overall Consensus: A sweet and sentimental romantic comedy that, while predictable, offers an uplifting message about kindness and good fortune.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is based on the true story of Phyllis Penzo and Officer Robert Cunningham, who split a $6 million lottery win in 1984 after he jokingly promised to share if he won.”
• “Director Andrew Bergman also makes a cameo appearance as the writer in the movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch It Could Happen to You?

It Could Happen to You is currently available for purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite services. Unfortunately, as of today, it is not part of any major streaming service subscriptions.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed It Could Happen to You, you might like these similar films:

• It Should Happen to You (1954): Shares a similar title and explores themes of sudden fame and fortune in New York City, albeit through different circumstances.
• Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936): Features a kind-hearted individual who inherits a fortune and faces challenges due to his generosity and naivety.
• The Secret of My Success (1987): A romantic comedy where the hero works hard to win the girl of his dreams despite facing numerous personal and financial challenges.

🛒 It Could Happen to You Related Products

• It Could Happen to You [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray edition of the film, providing a superior viewing experience with enhanced picture and sound quality.
• Lottery Ticket Scratch Off Card – Gag Gift Prank – Realistic Design – Winning Ticket!: This is not an actual Lottery Ticket! A gag gift to mimic the movie theme.
• Nicolas Cage Pillow Case: Pillow case featuring Nicolas Cage.
• New York City Movie Location Tour: This tour lets you visit locations of filming.

🎧 Soundtrack

It Could Happen to You features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Feel Lucky” – performed by Mary Chapin Carpenter

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Man Tips a Waitress $2,000,000 for a Cup of Coffee, Having Learned She Was Wrongly Declared Bankrupt

Ever wondered what ‘It Could Happen to You’ is all about? This recap breaks down the whole plot, and honestly, it’s wild how a simple act of kindness turns into a complete rollercoaster!

It Could Happen to You | A Heartwarming Tale of Kindness and Unexpected Fortune 💖💸

Looking for a quick dive into the heart of ‘It Could Happen to You’? This short video gives you the main points, and makes you think about the deeper meaning, all in under a minute!

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