Film Review - Michael

The director of Mixed Nuts strikes again! I had high hopes for Michael. This was an eagerly anticipated film about the Archangel's last trip to earth. From the previews we were given the impression, he'd smoke a few cigarettes, dance with the ladies, and dispense some wisdom along the way. Good trailer, it suckered me in.

Michael is the story of the Archangel's last trip to Earth. For some unexplained reason, he's only allowed 26 trips. He was sent to help an old lady who was having trouble with her bank. Michael squashes the bank into a parking lot. Michael says a few witty things, and appears to have no sense of justice. His virtues are thin, and if he is God's Archangel, God needs better recruiters.

This is also the story of three reporters from a supermarket tabloid who want Michael for a story. Two will fall in love because of their association with Michael; the third will get to keep his dog.

Throughout the film I was under the impression that something had been left out. It's as if they finished the production with an eight-hour movie and were forced to trim it down to two. There are great motivational holes in the plot that leave you wanting more.

Nora Ephron directed this bomb, and demonstrates that lightning won't continue to strike in the same place. Ephron who has written great film (Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally) may simply be a horrible director. I hope she returns to her strength of screenwriting.

The best part of the plot is the budding love story between William Hurt and Andie MacDowell. They begin combatants and end up engaged. But again, there is something missing. There's never a moment where they look into each other's eyes and find the wonderful person hiding behind the mask. We never figure out why or how they fell in love. Instead, at one appointed moment, Michael tells Hurt to apologize to MacDowell, two scenes later she's singing a country/western song she wrote (yes, Andie MacDowell can sing) and next they're off to spend the night together. It just doesn't work, and neither does Michael.

Dust Bag Full

Film Facts

Directed by Nora Ephron

Released in 1996

MPAA Rating: PG

Reviewed by Mongo