MICHAEL 1997
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
1 :-) for a dirty, cheeky cherub
Cast: John Travolta, William Hurt, Andie MacDowell, Robert Pastorelli, Bob Hoskins, Jean Stapleton Director: Nora Ephron Screenplay: Nora Ephron & Delia Ephron and Peter Dexter & Jim Quinlan
How does a man compete with an unkempt, invincible, chain-smoking arch-angel "on heat"? Who also exumes charm, wit and pheromones reminiscent of cookies, lavender and apple pie - how can a woman resist?
This multi-talented angel who defeated Lucifer on the heavenly battlefields is currently on sabbatical from his Divine Armies. He has decided to take one of his few RDOs on earth that each angel is permitted within limits. Whilst here, Michael is on a mission outside his usual tactical decision-makings of warfare, namely to practice his other specialty of human match-making.
Sound odd? Well here's more quirkiness. This angel has claims to the invention of "queues" for toilet usage, the institution of marriage and the making of pie. The biblical sense of a good angel is also lost, when this happy-go-lucky angel of the highest rank, hops into bed with the first cute blonde to fly his way. His allure premotes helpless females to adore and powerlessly surrender themselves to him. This is soon followed by chaos on the dance floor tendered by raging male jealousy.
"Michael" carries a well written script at heart; professional rapport and interaction between it's characters on screen; and a loveable dog called "Sparky", who does a wonderful "Lazarus lives again" impersonation towards the end. If you are expecting find a movie with a "pocket full of mircales", don't expect too much from this worldy angel.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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