Michael (1996)

Director:

Nora Ephron

Writers (WGA):

Peter Dexter (story) &
Jim Quinlan (story) ...

Release Date:

25 December 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

He's an angel... Not a saint.

Plot:

Two tabloid reporters checking out a report of the Archangel Michael living with an old woman find that it's true. But that's not the only surprise.

Plot Keywords:

Male Female Relationship | Whimsical | Journalist | Photography | Fish Out Of Water

Cast

John Travolta	...	Michael
Andie MacDowell	...	Dorothy Winters
William Hurt	...	Frank Quinlan
Bob Hoskins	...	Vartan Malt
Robert Pastorelli	...	Huey Driscoll
Jean Stapleton	...	Pansy Milbank
Teri Garr	...	Judge Esther Newberg
Wallace Langham	...	Bruce Craddock
Joey Lauren Adams	...	Anita, Brown's Waitress
Carla Gugino	...	Bride
Tom Hodges	...	Groom
Catherine Lloyd Burns	...	Evie
Richard Schiff	...	Italian Waiter
Calvin Trillin	...	Sheriff
Donald J. Lee Jr.	...	Court Bailiff

MPAA:

Rated PG for a mild barroom brawl, some language and sensuality.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Portuguese

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Austria:U | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate no. 34653)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Alphaville Films

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Michael is sitting outside of Brown's Motel, talking to Sparky, big rolls of hay can be seen relatively close to them. In later shots, the hay is in a field much farther off in the distance.

Quotes:

Frank Quinlan: Bring him back.
Michael: That's not my area.
Frank Quinlan: Would someone please tell me what his area is? Don't give me that "that's not my area" stuff. BRING HIM BACK.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Kevin Spacey/Beck (#22.10)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Sittin' By the Side of the Road

charming, quirky, offbeat, light, fun ... do not take too seriously

Possibly the best John Travolta role ever. Saturday Night Fever was a great movie & role, but a LONG time ago. I can't think of many of his movies or roles I've even liked, and it's easy to think of rotten ones. He can do meanies like in Pulp Fiction, but he makes the perfect funky angel, and it's hard to imagine anyone doing a better (equally slobby) job with it. Plot summaries are available everywhere, but the plot isn't the point. Just go for the ride and enjoy the cleverness of the little funnies along the way. There is nothing to dislike about this movie, unless one is searching for something profound. I wish there were more movies like this. We need a break from deep or awesome or grisly or complex or hysterical.