While You Were Sleeping (1995) is a delightful romantic comedy that blends humor, charm, and heartfelt emotion, creating a feel-good movie that continues to capture the hearts of audiences more than two decades after its release. Directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Daniel G. Sullivan and Fredric Lebow, the film stars Sandra Bullock in one of her most beloved roles. With its engaging story, endearing characters, and lighthearted humor, While You Were Sleeping has become a classic in the romantic comedy genre.
The plot centers on Lucy Eleanor Moderatz (Sandra Bullock), a shy, lonely woman who works as a ticket agent at a Chicago subway station. Lucy’s life is predictable and uneventful, with her only real connection being her admiration for Peter Callaghan (Peter Gallagher), a handsome commuter she has secretly been in love with for months. One day, Peter is the victim of a mugging and falls into a coma. In a moment of panic and misunderstanding, Lucy is mistaken for his fiancée, a claim she does not correct. As Peter’s family—especially his boisterous and loving mother, played by the late, great Glynis Johns—welcomes Lucy into their fold, she finds herself entangled in a web of lies. However, as she spends more time with Peter’s family, especially his charming brother Jack (Bill Pullman), she begins to experience the warmth and connection she’s always longed for.
