While You Were Sleeping (1995)

86% of critics liked it
(44 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(196,684 ratings)

This latter-day romantic screwball comedy stars Sandra Bullock as a love-starved subway toll booth operator, Lucy. Lucy pines for regular customer Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher), but the self-absorbed attorney pays her no heed. One day, Peter is beaten by a gang of thugs and tossed onto the… More This latter-day romantic screwball comedy stars Sandra Bullock as a love-starved subway toll booth operator, Lucy. Lucy pines for regular customer Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher), but the self-absorbed attorney pays her no heed. One day, Peter is beaten by a gang of thugs and tossed onto the tracks. Lucy rescues him from death. While he is comatose in the hospital, a comment she makes at his bedside is misinterpreted, and she then allows his family members, who haven't seen Peter in awhile, to believe that she is his fiancée. Peter's parents, Ox (Peter Boyle) and Midge (Micole Mercurio), take a liking to Lucy. But Lucy takes a liking to Peter's brother Jack (Bill Pullman), though Jack is suspicious about her claim to be Peter's intended. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Jon Turteltaub
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 21, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Feb 3, 1998
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The film's casual warmth may make you tolerate some of the shortcomings -- especially since Bullock seems to be having such a fine time with her first starring role.
Leonard Klady, Variety
Director Jon Turteltaub has a smooth style suited to classic farce and knows just how to pace the material to accentuate the positive.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
This is a formula film, but it has the kind of good cheer and fine tuning that occasionally give slickness a good name.
Peter Rainer, Los Angeles Times
Bullock is a genuinely engaging performer, which at least gives the treacle some minty freshness.
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
A lighthearted, charming nougat for romantics.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A perfect example of this unoriginal-but-enjoyable type of film making.
Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
Appealing family comedy with old-fashioned feel.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This appealing romantic comedy catapulted the ever-likeable sandra Bullock into major stardom
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A mild romantic comedy rooted in class anxiety, but it's nice to see perennial loser-in-love Pullman get some. Respect, that is.
, Film4
Fortunately, it's smart enough not to outstay its welcome.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's cutesy enough to serve as a pleasant time-waster for those hungering for blue-collar romance in Chi town.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
This is the first romantic comedy I've seen in a long time that, by the third act, doesn't forget about being funny.
, Time Out
As cute and cuddly a bedtime story as anyone could wish for.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Surprisingly half-decent high-concept chick-flick material.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Classic Sandra Bullock romantic comedy.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
A welcome ray of sunshine.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
A modern romantic comedy that actually works.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Bullock, with her attractive but unglamorous image, gives humanity and a little bit of realism to an otherwise fairytale plot.

Read all 18 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

John M

The key to this movie was Bill Pullman and Sanda Bullock clicking on such a natural level. They made the movie feel right. I love this movie. Im a sappy guy so this is a winner for me. One of my favorite romantic comedies.
Bethany M

A quirky film! Different from a lot of the typical romantic dramas. Very good! Sandra Bullock is excellent!
Dead A

I love Sandra Bullock's movies. They are so fun to watch. This was sweet, funny (some scenes were hilarious) and romantic. I'm not into romantic movies that much but Sandra's ones are just awesome. I hope she doesn't disappoint me in future (like the rest of my… More
I love Sandra Bullock's movies. They are so fun to watch. This was sweet, funny (some scenes were hilarious) and romantic. I'm not into romantic movies that much but Sandra's ones are just awesome. I hope she doesn't disappoint me in future (like the rest of my fave one did......brutally!).
Lenny M

Sandra Bullock as the typical quirky, hopeless romantic alongside a bunch of old folks. Good movie.
Jason O

A lonely sales clerk named Lucy (Sandra Bullock), just happens to save a rich man, Peter (Peter Gallagher), from being hit and killed by a fast movin' train. A nurse at the hospital gets a not so true rumor started that Lucy is Peter's fiancee. This rumor sets Peter's… More
A lonely sales clerk named Lucy (Sandra Bullock), just happens to save a rich man, Peter (Peter Gallagher), from being hit and killed by a fast movin' train. A nurse at the hospital gets a not so true rumor started that Lucy is Peter's fiancee. This rumor sets Peter's family on fire because they didn't have any idea that Lucy was Peter's fiancee, and to tell the truth, neither did Peter. However, Lucy is real soft-spoken and Peter is in a coma, so the rumor just might go on a little longer than expected. While everything starts changing because of this rumor, Lucy falls for somebody that Peter's family knows pretty well. "While You Were Sleeping" is an original romantic comedy. To say the least, it's real fast-paced when it comes to some of the things that happens and it'll probably be hard for you to wait to see what happens, but luckily, the movie's plot is interesting enough and the movie itself is good enough, to keep you watching and wanting to see what happens. "While You Were Sleeping" has good acting, a good script, and it's original. I don't know about everybody else, but romantic comedies aren't my favorite kind of movie, so they have to be pretty good for me to like them, and I liked "While You Were Sleeping." If you haven't ever seen it, at least rent it, but if you really like romantic comedies, I recommend a purchase. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001.
Thomas B

turtletaub at his cheesiest best. that's not to say it's not a great film. in fact, it's my mother's favourite. but it is sandra bullock. make up your own mind
Jennifer X

Sandra Bullock is so fake and disgusting it makes me sick. But Peter Gallagher is adorable. Shame about the not-working-out part.
Curtis L

Okay for a chick flick.
Keysha H

I really love this movie. Thie story is fun, and Joe Jr. is hilarious.
Candy R

Rom com about a woman who falls for a man in a coma.
Rachel F

Romantic. Its a good movie.
jay n

low key charmer
xGary X

I can't help liking Sandra Bullock. I'm a sad, sad man.
Jason S

Cute.
Dean M

Sandra Bullock is the best in this romantic-comedy film.
Jeremy S

As romantic comedies go this film is a classic. A pioneer of it's genre which set the standard for all romantic comedies, influencing other top genre films like My Best Friend's Wedding, Notting Hill and You've Got Mail. Sandra Bullock stars in probaly her most likeable… More
As romantic comedies go this film is a classic. A pioneer of it's genre which set the standard for all romantic comedies, influencing other top genre films like My Best Friend's Wedding, Notting Hill and You've Got Mail. Sandra Bullock stars in probaly her most likeable role, she is sweet charming and vunlerable enough to make you care for her. She epitomises everything a romantic comedy leading lady should be. The story is the comedy producer, creating situations or extreem comedy and yet able to hold moments of heart melting romance. I really loved this charming film and for what it is a classic of romantic comedies.
Sophie B

This is sweet! That guy has huge eyebrows though!! lol
Sanjaya &

A very romantic comedy...
Dannielle A

Pretty funny. I loved Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman in this one.
Steven V

Good movie. A lovely romantic comedy. The story is good as well as the cast. You will never get tired of watching it.