It Could Happen To You MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -1

Based on a true story, IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU is another delightful feel-good movie coming out of Hollywood more frequently of late. The hero of the story is Charlie Lang (Nicolas Cage), a kind-hearted, honest New York cop who's married to a very disgruntled Hispanic lady named Muriel (Rosie Perez). Charlie's happy with his job and circumstances, but Muriel wants more money and constantly harps on Charlie to be more successful. She's ecstatic when Charlie wins $4 million in the New York lottery. But she becomes furious when she learns he has agreed to give half of his winnings to Yvonne (Bridget Fonda), a sweet, generous waitress who's personally bankrupt. Almost as a joke, Charlie had previously offered to give Yvonne half of any of his winnings as payment for a tip he owes her. Muriel goes on a shopping spree, Yvonne buys a restaurant, and Charlie just keeps on being a good cop. But, on a magical night, Charlie and Yvonne fall in love at a party on a yacht. Muriel then gets greedy and sues Charlie to return all the winnings to her because she was responsible for the wining lottery number. But the story takes a surprising, wonderful twist which will thrill the viewing audience. This marvelous fairy tale romance is reminiscent of Hollywood's golden era of great films.

Charlie insists that Yvonne have half of his winnings, even though he made the offer in a casual light-hearted manner. He even agrees to give his portion of the winnings back to Muriel, but she demands Yvonne's portion as well. When Charlie and Yvonne find themselves almost penniless, Yvonne continues to give away free meals to the homeless just as she did at her once prosperous restaurant. She and Charlie openly declare their love for each other in the midst of their hard times, and New Yorkers respond in a very heartwarming manner indeed. Unfortunately, some of the characteristics of contemporary films show up in the form of some obscenities and one regular profanity. Also, Muriel wants to have her breasts enlarged, which brings on some comical, suggestive dialogue and views of her in a low cut dress. Almost by chance, Charlie and Yvonne spend a night together in a hotel implying a one night affair. IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU is an inspiring, touching story marred only by a limited amount of crude language and an implied one-night affair portrayed as acceptable.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Tri-Star Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232