This film is classified as a Christmas romantic comedy-drama by most things I've read, yet to me, it was nearly all drama- with just some pointed laugh out loud moments sparingly sprinkled throughout. And it was situationally romantic, but didn't evoke the feeling of romance, so this isn't a romance film as far as I'm concerned. Just because the angel is attracted to the wife doesn't mean anything- good or bad.
Now that brings me to my main disagreement with others about this movie, and that is that the angel was inappropriate and that it was somehow wrong that he was attracted to the wife. But, that is a very callous point of view that I don't share, because honestly, the angel does NOTHING wrong in this film.
Dudley, the angel, is a very kind, well-meaning, and good character- and a simple attraction does not take away from that. People are very harsh in their assessment of this character, because he didn't try to steal the wife like some have said, in fact all he did was just what he was told the whole time, and tried to be a little extra helpful along the way. Now, if he went out of his way to underhandedly TRY to steal the wife, I could understand some people's complaints about him, but he doesn't. All he was guilty of is feelings, and nothing more- and to condemn anyone- even an angel- for something like feelings which they cannot control, makes no sense to me. Bottom line is that I loved the angel in this version! He was as handsome and dapper as Cary Grant was in the part, and he was a sweetie.
As for the overall film itself, it's great for a drama, but it's lacking as a Christmas movie. Not gonna lie- this version did stir my emotions and move me more than the original, in the sense that it made me laugh and cry heartily- and while the original is pleasant throughout, I didn't really laugh or cry with it. I was pleased with it throughout, but didn't have big burst of emotion wash over me like with this one. I guess you could say it's the difference between being content (as I was with the original) vs. Being stirred (as I was with this one). And at the end of the day, I associate the most classic Christmas movies with contentment, a feeling of peace that they give me, which this remake failed to do.
I could almost like this remake better than the original for the strong hold it had over my emotions, making me laugh and cry the way it did. But as I said above, something is still missing- or, put another way, something feels off about it. As moving and sweet as this film is, there is a lingering shadow of sadness about it that hangs over the entire film. I could feel it, even in the happy moments- this heavy depressed quality to the movie. And that's why I say if it's a good drama you want, then this is effective as that, but it just doesn't feel much like a Christmas film, strangely enough- despite the setting, etc.- because of that overcast of depressiveness that can be sensed throughout.
While this remake was heavy on the drama and emotion, one thing it lacked in comparison to the original was a sense of wonder and magic. This film just doesn't feel as innocent and magical as the original, and not at all as *cozy*- a requirement for being a Christmas classic, in my opinion!
So, if you want a Christmas classic that is the equivalent of easy listening radio by a toasty fire, sipping on hot chocolate while you're waiting for Santa Claus to pay a visit, then watch the original, "The Biship's Wife". But, if you want a good cry with the gospel radio playing, then watch this remake, a.k.a. "The Preacher's Wife".
Now that brings me to my main disagreement with others about this movie, and that is that the angel was inappropriate and that it was somehow wrong that he was attracted to the wife. But, that is a very callous point of view that I don't share, because honestly, the angel does NOTHING wrong in this film.
Dudley, the angel, is a very kind, well-meaning, and good character- and a simple attraction does not take away from that. People are very harsh in their assessment of this character, because he didn't try to steal the wife like some have said, in fact all he did was just what he was told the whole time, and tried to be a little extra helpful along the way. Now, if he went out of his way to underhandedly TRY to steal the wife, I could understand some people's complaints about him, but he doesn't. All he was guilty of is feelings, and nothing more- and to condemn anyone- even an angel- for something like feelings which they cannot control, makes no sense to me. Bottom line is that I loved the angel in this version! He was as handsome and dapper as Cary Grant was in the part, and he was a sweetie.
As for the overall film itself, it's great for a drama, but it's lacking as a Christmas movie. Not gonna lie- this version did stir my emotions and move me more than the original, in the sense that it made me laugh and cry heartily- and while the original is pleasant throughout, I didn't really laugh or cry with it. I was pleased with it throughout, but didn't have big burst of emotion wash over me like with this one. I guess you could say it's the difference between being content (as I was with the original) vs. Being stirred (as I was with this one). And at the end of the day, I associate the most classic Christmas movies with contentment, a feeling of peace that they give me, which this remake failed to do.
I could almost like this remake better than the original for the strong hold it had over my emotions, making me laugh and cry the way it did. But as I said above, something is still missing- or, put another way, something feels off about it. As moving and sweet as this film is, there is a lingering shadow of sadness about it that hangs over the entire film. I could feel it, even in the happy moments- this heavy depressed quality to the movie. And that's why I say if it's a good drama you want, then this is effective as that, but it just doesn't feel much like a Christmas film, strangely enough- despite the setting, etc.- because of that overcast of depressiveness that can be sensed throughout.
While this remake was heavy on the drama and emotion, one thing it lacked in comparison to the original was a sense of wonder and magic. This film just doesn't feel as innocent and magical as the original, and not at all as *cozy*- a requirement for being a Christmas classic, in my opinion!
So, if you want a Christmas classic that is the equivalent of easy listening radio by a toasty fire, sipping on hot chocolate while you're waiting for Santa Claus to pay a visit, then watch the original, "The Biship's Wife". But, if you want a good cry with the gospel radio playing, then watch this remake, a.k.a. "The Preacher's Wife".