Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story (1996)

Director:

Michael Ray Rhodes

Writer (WGA):

John Wells (written by)

Release Date:

27 September 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

No force could sway her. No fear could stop her.

Plot:

The phrase "entertaining angels" refers to the practice of treating all guests--be they kings or peasants--as if they were visiting angels...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Moira Kelly	...	Dorothy Day
Martin Sheen	...	Peter Maurin
Lenny von Dohlen	...	Forster Batterham
Melinda Dillon	...	Sister Aloysius
Paul Lieber	...	Mike Gold
Heather Graham	...	Maggie Bowen
Boyd Kestner	...	Lionel Moise
James Lancaster	...	Eugene O'Neill
Geoffrey Blake	...	Floyd Dell
Brian Keith	...	Cardinal
Heather Camille	...	Tamar
Thom Adcox-Hernandez	...	Dan Irwin
David Berón	...	John
Pamela Shafer	...	Tesse
Allyce Beasley	...	Frankie

Also Known As:

Entertaining Angels (USA) (short title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for a range of thematic elements, some sensuality and brief language.

Runtime:

Canada:110 min | USA:112 min (Encore-True Stories Library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | USA:PG-13

Company:

Paulist Pictures

Decent Film, But What is Martin Sheen doing?

The beginning of the film is inane enough; indeed, the scenes from Dorothy's early life are rather enjoyable. Temperance, however, gives way to campy overacting once Martin Sheen's "Peter" appears. No matter what kind of phony-French accent he attempts, the character looks like--Martin Sheen. And what is the deal with the screaming prisoner in the open scene, who quietly succumbs to Dorothy after seeing her cross? It just feels so cliche. Oh well, promising start leads to disappointing finished product.