Michael (1996)

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.

Director:

Nora Ephron

Writers:

Peter Dexter (story), Jim Quinlan (story),

Stars:

John Travolta, Andie MacDowell, William Hurt

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Frank Quinlan and Huey Driscoll, two reporters from a Chicago-based tabloid, along with Dorothy Winters, an 'angel expert', are asked to travel to rural Iowa to investigate a claim from an old woman that she shares her house with a real, live archangel named Michael. Upon arrival, they see that her claims are true - but Michael is not what they expected: he smokes, drinks beer, has a very active libido and has a rather colourful vocabulary. In fact, they would never believe it were it not for the two feathery wings protruding from his back. Michael agrees to travel to Chicago with the threesome, but what they don't realise is that the journey they are about to undertake will change their lives forever.

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Plot Keywords:

tabloid | reporter | archangel michael | iowa | angel | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Portuguese

Release Date:

25 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Michael - Anjo e Sedutor

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

ITL 2,594,437,000 (Italy) (14 February 1997)

Gross:

$95,345,070 (USA) (9 May 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Turner Pictures (I), Alphaville Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Michael is in the back of the car, counting down the ten seconds before the tire blows, the audio is saying "seven hippopotamus, six hippopotamus..." but Michael's mouth isn't.

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Quotes

[repeated line, while cooking breakfast]
Pansy Milbank: Over easy!

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Dancing with the Stars 1 (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Lips Like a Blowfish"
(1996)
Written by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron
Published by Techwood Music, Inc.

User Reviews

He is an angel, not a saint.

Angels are a bit of an American obsession, but are often rather boring. They are the messengers of God, and also the arc angels are great warriors (Lucifer being the toughest and best looking until he was kicked out of heaven).

So what happens if you don't believe in anything, let alone angels and you are sent to investigate an angel story, only to meet one with wings and less than angelic attitude.

Maybe that is what America needs, being a puritan is different from being good. Michael is a rude, obnoxious, womanizing messenger of heaven who will fulfill your wishes, and make you care enough about the world that you will be touched.

Funny, but not greatly so, touching but not overly sentimental, intelligent without being clever...it is just a good simple, small comedy. Watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.