While You Were Sleeping MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: +1

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING is almost as good as SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, but not quite. Still, it's a feel good, fun romantic comedy and audiences will leave the theatre smiling. And everybody will love Lucy Moderatz (Sandra Bullock) who has a secret crush on handsome Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher). He buys a token from her every day at a Chicago subway station. One day when some thugs push Peter off the subway platform, Lucy saves him from an oncoming train and takes him to the hospital where he remains in a coma. She meets Peter's family there who thinks she is his fiancee. She likes them so well she allows the charade to continue and lets his family take the place of her deceased parents. However, Peter's brother, Jack (Bill Pullman), becomes suspicious, but finds himself attracted to her. And she begins to think she fell in love with the wrong Callaghan. All this is a bit confusing, but lots of fun. Meanwhile, Peter remains in a coma and most of the story develops "while he is sleeping." Although you can pretty well guess the outcome, this bit of romantic fluff is immensely enjoyable.

This film has the unique distinction of being built around young people in love who don't resort to a sexual affair. Lucy and Jack obviously don't feel it is appropriate. Lucy also falls in love with Peter and Jack's humorous, warm-hearted family. They return her feelings and are delighted to have her share in their family gatherings. At a Catholic Mass, a priest prays for Peter, although two of the Callaghans talk about business during the service. Mr. Callaghan uses the term "Christ's sake" twice, but his wife admonishes him to quit swearing. In one suggestive incident, Peter's real fiancee grabs her breasts briefly and makes a crude comical comment. She later makes an angry crude statement about Peter's genitals. Also, a comical reference made in the hospital about Peter's genitals prompts a woman to take a peak while he is still in a coma. These few risque incidents undoubtedly were included to avoid a G rating. But the story is about the unblemished love of a young couple and warm family relationships. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING isn't perfect, but it is far above most films today in wholesome content.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Co., 3900 Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91521