Although the heroine is determinedly cute, this is a winning feelgood romantic comedy based on the old joke about someone being assumed to be something they're not and then finding it difficult to extricate themselves.

The someone here is Lucy (Sandra Bullock), who is just too sweet and good to be true so, this being Hollywood wish-fulfilment land, it's natural that we should find her alone at Christmas and only able to make doe eyes at a hunk (Peter Gallagher) on the subway.

She rescues him when he falls on the line, only to inherit his entire family when he lies in a coma. Bullock tries hard to be adorable, with some success; Bill Pullman (as Gallagher's brother) looks confused at getting a role where he wins the girl. A massive popular hit.

TRIVIA: The Lucy role was actually written for Demi Moore.