Michael
PG
1996
Comedy · 105 minutes that moves surprisingly slowly for a supernatural comedy.
Mixed reception disappointment
5.7/10
IMDb
38%
Rotten
38
38/100
Metacritic
🎬
5.7/10
TMDB
The brief
Nora Ephron's angel comedy feels like comfort food that's gone slightly stale - John Travolta hams it up as a chain-smoking, pie-loving celestial being who's more frat boy than heavenly messenger. The whole thing has that mid-90s glossy sheen but moves at a surprisingly sluggish pace for what should be a breezy supernatural romp. Travolta commits fully to the bit, but even his charm can't quite mask how the script never decides if it wants to be silly or sincere. Perfect for anyone who thought "City of Angels" needed more bathroom humor and significantly less emotional weight.
celestial comedy
mid-90s glossy
tabloid shenanigans
heavenly misbehavior
road trip romance
supernatural comfort food
The verdict
If you have a soft spot for John Travolta's goofy charm and don't mind mid-90s comedies that prioritize whimsy over wit, this is a perfectly serviceable slice of nostalgic comfort viewing. If you expect sharp writing or consistent tone from your supernatural comedies, you'll find this sluggish angel tale more earthbound than heavenly.
Watch with
- 👫 Date night for fans of quirky rom-coms
- 👨👩👧👦 Family viewing with older kids
- ⚠️ Skip if you want sharp comedy writing
Heads up
- Smoking and drinking by celestial character (frequent)
- Mild sexual innuendo and bathroom humor (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Nora Ephron
- Cast
- John Travolta, Andie MacDowell, William Hurt, Bob Hoskins, Robert Pastorelli, Jean Stapleton, Teri Garr
Official synopsis
Tabloid reporters are sent by their editor to investigate after the paper recieves a letter from a woman claiming
