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Michael
John Travolta, Andie MacDowell and William Hurt lead a cosy comedy with a spiritual bent. In rural Iowa a slovenly archangel is enjoying the pleasures of the flesh, unaware that the tabloids are on his tail
Travolta followed up Phenomenon with another paranormal venture, though this time the tone's rather more down-to-earth. The result, directed by the writer of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, shamelessly flaunts its feelgood factor but succeeds on the back of Travolta's easy charm. Michael (Travolta) is a less-than-saintly angel shacked up with motel owner Pansy (Stapleton). There he spends his days boozing, smoking, chatting up women and concealing his wings with a mangy old coat. But this happy existence is threatened by tabloid journalists Quinlan (Hurt) and Driscoll (Pastorelli), and self-proclaimed 'angel expert' Andie MacDowell. Reluctantly Michael agrees to accompany them back to Chicago and during the ensuing road trip does his best to sort out the messy lives of his hosts. Director Ephron's talent is for bittersweet whimsy and, with a plot that turns on the near-death of a dog, there's plenty of that on show here. But Travolta also demonstrates a raggedy, roguish charm and though the film contains no blinding revelations, his presence ensures it escapes eternal damnation. Verdict Neither the most demanding nor the most successful film from Travolta's mid-90s renaissance period, but the man himself ensures this slightly rickety vehicle stays on the road. |
