There was a time when I suffered from insomnia and would often stay up late watching television (this is pre Internet days). And this movie would often pop up on one of the cable channels and so I ended up watching it several times and (hanging head shamefully), I like it. I know it's not good. The performances are all over the top, the premise is ridiculous (if you have any kind of Christian religious belief, it's almost insulting), and the ending of the movie is a total cop-out. Phoebe Cates does look lovely but is not served well by the film. Emmanuelle Beart is absolutely gorgeous and makes for a delightfully goofy angel. They both make the film somewhat palatable. It also introduced me to Steve Winwood's great song "The Finer Things." But a good film it is not. Oddly enough, "Date with an Angel" did help me get through some challenging nights and I have a soft spot in my heart for it.
P. S. The one funny line in the film comes from Charles Lane's befuddled Catholic priest when asked by our hero what he should do with the angel. His reply? "Try the Baptists!"
P. S. The one funny line in the film comes from Charles Lane's befuddled Catholic priest when asked by our hero what he should do with the angel. His reply? "Try the Baptists!"