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:

Tabloid | Reporter | Archangel Michael | Iowa | Angel

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
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)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | 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:

Turner Pictures (I)

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When all of them are driving to downtown Chicago to see the Sears Tower, there's a shot of the car driving down the highway. Then in the next scene you see them driving down another highway with the lake on the left, and the John Hancock Tower in front of them. This is impossible because the first highway is I-90 and the other highway is Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Route 41). There is no direct way to go from I-90 to U.S. 41.

Quotes:

Michael: Battle!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Yes Man (2008)

Soundtrack:

Winter Wonderland

One of the most peculiar roles of Travolta

John Travolta is one of the nicest actors in the modern film industry. His movies are comfortable and cozy entertainment even when they aren't so successful and mostly because of his soothing work on the screen. He is stylish even in situations which don't create a suitable setting for being stylish and that ain't no burden, although some might claim that it is. It's more like a blessing.

He played one of his oddest characters in "Michael" - an angel. First half of the film is very emphathic, amusing, promising and entertaining - great stuff with Travolta at his best. Somewhere in the middle movie suddenly runs out of enthusiasm. Intensive fun that kept the story going declines little by little and flick turns to just another typical and unsurprising piece of Hollywood.

Then is "Michael" worth watching? Why not? First half is awesome and after you've seen it you'll get a strong will to find out if it continues like it. It doesn't but I guess you don't take my word for it so check it out for yourself. Movie is still quite ok and Travolta is always one cool rascal.