The Preacher's Wife Movie Review 1996

Remake of 1947's "The Bishop's Wife" finds troubled Newark minister Henry Biggs (Vance) praying for heavenly intervention. His prayers are answered with angel Dudley (Washington)--who isn't so holy that he can't appreciate the minister's choir-leading wife Julia (Houston). While trying to save his cash-strapped church from a greedy developer (Hines), Rev. Biggs is so mired in material problems that he is unable to believe that Dudley is actually an angel. Washington is the dictionary definition of debonair as the angel with a touch of the devil in his eye. All problems are, of course, wrapped up neatly with a bow on top in the end. The real stars of this Christmas tale, however, are Houston's vocal cords. Fans of her singing will love this movie, while others may want to rent the original.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS
Running time 124 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Comedy Drama, Angels, Christmas, African America, Heaven Sent, Repressed Men, Killer Toys, Religion, Rock Stars on Film, Church Choirs, Clergymen, Gospel Music

Screenplay

Nat Mauldin, Allan Scott

Cast

Shari Headley, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine, Lionel Richie, Paul Bates, Justin Pierre Edmund, Darvel Davis, William James Stiggers

Cinematography

Miroslav Ondricek

Director

Penny Marshall

Music

Hans Zimmer

Producer

Samuel Goldwyn, Elliot Abbott, Robert Greenhut, Parkway Productions, Samuel Goldwyn Company, Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista