So being a family man is the only legit way to be happy in life?

Nobody ever leaves this world wishing they had spent more time at work. This movie just gives Jack Campbell the chance to learn that lesson before it's too late.

You think those friends are happy but they aren't as happy as you believe them to be.

I agree. People who get married and have kids tend to think that it's the one and only way to be happy because it's THEIR definition of happiness. And of course anyone who has a different idea of happiness must be either wrong or in denial. It never occurs to them that people are not all the same, and there is not just one definition of happiness--theirs. If there's one thing I can't stand in a person, it's the inability to conceive of anyone else having different preferences or tastes, and the vain self-assurance that your way is the "right" way, and I must be just pretending if I say I feel otherwise.

Well, "family people," I can't comprehend your dependence on others for a sense of identity and completeness, but at least I don't deny that you really do feel that way. I don't tell you that you can't possibly really be happy just because I don't share your definition of happiness... like you do to me. I'm not that self-important and arrogant, like "I alone know what it means to be happy, and you can't really be happy unless you adhere to my views! You are not really happy!! You can't be!! You're just unaware of your unhappiness!! STOP PRETENDING TO BE HAPPY!!!"

How about just accepting that everyone finds fulfillment in different ways, and your definition of fulfillment is just that... YOUR definition? Doesn't mean everyone else is wrong or in denial if they disagree. It's like beauty. There isn't a single definition of beauty, it's an individual preference, and everyone's is different. THAT'S ALLOWED.

it is a family Christmas movie, so it wouldn't make sense for it to be about finding fulfillment in other lifestyle choices.

i don't think it's trying to preach family values, it's just telling a story about a guy who made a choice and what life would have been like had he chosen to stay with the girl - a "glimpse". also, he is later given a second chance to be with her, because he passed the "test" (perhaps if he had proceeded with the affair, or done some other thing inconsistent with their relationship, he would have had his life back and no second chance).


"If you love Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it copy this and make it your signature!"

I'm not married, I don't have kids, I don't have any roommates, and that's what makes me happy. I love living alone. The peace, the freedom, not getting in anyone's hair and no one getting in mine, always being able to do my own thing with no interference (outside of going to work and paying my bills obviously). My sister keeps telling me how sad it is that I live alone. She doesn't understand, that's how I like it. Its my choice. Any grownup, as long as they're not breaking the law, should totally be able to choose how they want to live their life. Anyway, my point in connection to the movie is that Jack did not need to have that glimpse to change or improve himself or whatever because that's exactly how he liked it. He was happy how he was. (of course there wouldn't have been a movie then if his life stayed the same).

[deleted]

Totally agree with the OP. I hate these movies that make it seem that the only happiness in life is to be found by having children. The tired old formula of the bachelor who has children forced on him and slowly realizes that his life has been empty and turns into the father of the year!

I have plenty of friends who have kids and are happy, but I also have friends that have kids and wish they didn't or at least wish they had waited longer to have them. My wife and I never wanted kids to tie us down and we never needed kids to make us feel whole. We've been together for almost 30 years and have 35+ nephews and nieces that we can "rent" for a weekend if we want, and we occasionally do, but then we get to send them home! It's wonderful!

I have seen too many couples raise 3, 4 or 5 kids and put them through college. They spend their whole lives devoting themselves to their children and they lose their own intimacy and their relationship. They wake up 20+ years later and look at the person in the bed next to them and think "Who are you?"

Look, some people were born to be parents and that's fine, but other people are totally happy never having them. Like us! Can we make a movie about a guy who gets married right out of high school, has three kids, drives a mini van and works in a tire store and gets the chance to go back and not knock up his high school sweetheart? Instead, he goes to college, gets an education, has fun, makes money, travels the world, eventually finds a wife after sleeping around for years with a bunch of underwear models and pro football cheerleaders and then retires early to Maui with his new wife, Corvette, beach house, eight figure investment portfolio and NO children and is the happiest man on planet Earth?

I wouldn't have even wasted the typing time if so many people wouldn't get on these message boards about movies and miss the mark.

First, this movie, along with 99% or more are simply fiction. They are individual expressions of ideas, values, motives, desires, etc. This movie was no different. It did not tell you that you needed a family to be happy, the writers said Jack needed to see if he was not happy because he didn't choose the possibility of a family early on. It just turned out, he was happier with a family.

As you asserted, albeit incorrectly, the director did not dictate anything to the viewer, all the writers and director wanted you to see or feel was Jack's specific scenario, they didn't say you should do it. I am married with grown children, and in my opinion, very successful. I have a great salary, rarely work beyond 9 hrs a day, have twin boys whom are seniors at the university of Florida with GPA's above 3.5. I couldn't be happier. My wife and I can still be as playful as we were when we met in High School.

I felt this movie was excellent, remember, it's fiction. Acting was good, story was good. People shouldn't take it personally, but if you do, remember that you have to cater the idea (because that's all it is) to your life.

Sorry for rambling.