Holy Man (1998)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Stephen Herek

Writer (WGA):

Tom Schulman (written by)

Release Date:

9 October 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

God's Gift To Home Shopping.

Plot:

Eddie Murphy stars as an over-the-top television evangelist who finds a way to turn television home shopping into a religious experience, and takes America by storm.

Plot Keywords:

Hypnosis | Spit Take | Savior | Religion | Miami Florida

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Eddie Murphy	...	G
Jeff Goldblum	...	Ricky Hayman
Kelly Preston	...	Kate Newell
Robert Loggia	...	McBainbridge
Jon Cryer	...	Barry
Eric McCormack	...	Scott Hawkes
Sam Kitchin	...	Director
Robert Small	...	Assistant Director
Marc Macaulay	...	Cameraman / Brutus
Mary Stout	...	Laundry Lady #1
Edie McClurg	...	Laundry Lady #2
Kim Staunton	...	Grace
Morgan Fairchild	...	Herself
Betty White	...	Herself
Florence Henderson	...	Herself

MPAA:

Rated PG for some language.

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #36185) | Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Miami, Florida, USA

Company:

Caravan Pictures

Trivia:

This movie was first in development in 1993, with John Candy cast as G. It was then put in development hell following the actor's death.

Quotes:

'G' Makeup Artist: I've made you up to look like you have no make-up on at all.
G: That's a metaphysics I didn't even know existed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: David Spade/Eagle-Eye Cherry (#24.5)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Money

Jon Monsarrat review: a feel-good comedy w/ deep thoughts

On the face of it, this romantic comedy is nothing special.

But for some reason, I'm just really pleased by this film. There is a thematic cleverness tying together all the humor, and the inevitable and obvious conclusion ends up being sweet and engaging anyhow.

I hate films that get melodramatic and sappy -- Holy Man skirted the edges but didn't fall into that trap. There aren't snappy comebacks and put downs like in Beverly Hills Cop, but there is some deep thinking. I wouldn't be surprised if for the right people this movie really meant something to their lives. Sort of like, but not as good as Groundhog Day.

Who should see this film:

-- romantic comedy lovers (and drag your spouse along)

-- generic comedy likers who can live without high action if there's a little philosophy

-- if you're not "in with the young crowd" and think Eddy Murphy flicks are too silly and "hip", this one is different

I'll give this one a 7 out of 10.