Spoilers
This movie should have been a roaring success.
To begin with, it had an inventive script. From angels banished to Wisconsin, to a modern idol in the form of a golden calf cartoon character, to God's voice being to powerful for human ears and using a cynical intermediary angel, this plot has religious knowledge and wit to spare. The swearing is overdone, but even them some intelligence shines through.
It had an excellent cast, perfectly chosen and in general good at their parts. Affleck, Lee, and Rickman are the best, but the others are more than passable.
I blame the director's childish approach to his own material. Rather than focusing on the available intellectual possibilities, he prefers to insert childish, profane, and sex obsessed supporting characters who detract from rather than add to the comic relief. Additionally the pacing comes in jarring starts and stops.
Still worth a look, but should have been an excellent film, not a so-so romp.
This movie should have been a roaring success.
To begin with, it had an inventive script. From angels banished to Wisconsin, to a modern idol in the form of a golden calf cartoon character, to God's voice being to powerful for human ears and using a cynical intermediary angel, this plot has religious knowledge and wit to spare. The swearing is overdone, but even them some intelligence shines through.
It had an excellent cast, perfectly chosen and in general good at their parts. Affleck, Lee, and Rickman are the best, but the others are more than passable.
I blame the director's childish approach to his own material. Rather than focusing on the available intellectual possibilities, he prefers to insert childish, profane, and sex obsessed supporting characters who detract from rather than add to the comic relief. Additionally the pacing comes in jarring starts and stops.
Still worth a look, but should have been an excellent film, not a so-so romp.