The Preacher's Wife (1996) User Reviews

Look a little harder

[youredg · 7/10 · 13 April 2005]

This movie is not one that was made to make awards and reach the hierarchy of its peers. It was developed for the holiday season but it was also made quite simply to remind us that in life there must be faith. Much like the message at the end of the movie, just because you can't see air, doesn't mean its not there. Faith can be religious but in this movie, faith went much further and it would appear some failed to see this aspect.

Those who say their bored are perhaps the very people that need the message of the movie much like Ms. Houston. It speaks about love that is everlasting not only in the terms of religion but in our lives, relationships and our communities as a whole. It is very odd that anyone would not enjoy this movie. It is uplifting and funny, but most importantly if you are human it makes you take a serious look at those around you.

It's a Wonderful Bishop's Life

[zunitrail-1 · 6/10 · 12 March 2010]

I saw this when it was in the theaters. I basically loved it mainly for its music and Jennifer Lewis' (Julia's mother) performance, but also I loved the opening and closing (climax) scenes. I'm basically a sucker for that kind of thing, and I understand how other people wouldn't find it interesting. I just saw the movie (The Bishop's Wife) which it was based on and finally feel qualified to comment. TPW was not just a remake of TBW, but more of a combination of TBW and "It's a Wonderful Life." Henry in TPW was the character of Jimmy Stewart in IWL, always caring for the underdog (altho very cynical to the angel's angelhood); Joe Hamilton in TPW was "Mr Potter" of the same, with his schemes to redevelop and control the town. I actually found it charming the way elements of TBW found themselves woven into TPW: the ice skating scene, the typewriter-turned-PC, the final sermon, to name a few. But I did realize that the message had been diluted into a feel-good comedy. There are no moments where one feels deeply moved merely by dialogue, such as TBW's Dudley's story of David and the Lion, which captivates the Bishop's entire household, down to the all-business secretary (not to mention the audience!). In TPW, we are made to be moved by the beautiful music; and as such, I guess we might as well just buy the soundtrack. TBW reminded me that special effects are only as good as the movie itself.

Great movie, and a much better remake.

[jumpjoypark · 7/10 · 1 March 2004]

Fine and uplifting remake has everything going for it. A great leading man (Denzel Washington) and a great cast of characters that will lift your spirits when you are down. Penny marshal has made a new Xmas classic, and it's a much better movie than the original Bishop's Wife.I like the original as well with Cary Grant but Denzel Washington makes an even better angel, and gives an even bigger heart.

Great support is giving by Courtney B. Vance and Whitney Houston, and the late Gregory Hines in one of his finest performances. The soundtrack by Miss Houston is simply amazing, and it has every that a soundtrack should have in it. This is one fine and amazing movie, see it and let a smile come a cross your face.

A pale remake of a minor Christmas classic

[jlacerra · 30 June 2001]

You have to wonder why some folks out in Hollywood try to remake that which was done so very well the first time. You can just see them sitting around the conference table talking about adding color and, oh, yeah, lets make the characters black! It would be OK if they really tried to do it better. But they are really just trying to cash in.

Such is the case with "The Preacher's Wife". A modernized color version of the Cary Grant vehicle, "The Bishop's Wife", the insertion of even this excellent black cast does nothing to enhance the story.

Denzel never seems to capture the sly charm of Dudley, the angel sent to help the Preacher. Now we know Denzel can be a charmer, but even he cannot deliver through this tired direction and uninspired script. Nothing really works in the movie (unless, perhaps, you never saw the original), the Preacher is not sympathetic enough, Whitney isn't at full strength as the title character, and even Gregory Hines can't seem to make the villain seem like much of a baddie.

A thorough waste of time and celluloid!

Good but not great remake

[dbborroughs · 7/10 · 12 February 2005]

Gospel version of the Bishops Wife about an angel who comes down to help a clergyman find direction in a battle between family and the pressures of his job.

Denzel as an angel is inspired casting. Actually the cast is uniformly good, I only wish the script hadn't let them down. I supposed the fact that 50 years had passed since the first film required that some changes be made to the script and plot, but did they really have to move in the direction of TV movies? Its good but things could have been so much better, and I'm not saying that as a fan of the original.

Certainly worth seeing but given the choice see the original since it will make you feel good all over for days, this one does the same thing, but only for its running time.

INSTANT CHRISTMAS CLASSIC!

[mmthos · 7/10 · 2 November 2020]

1947's "The Bishop's Wife" is a never-to-be-repeated total triumph of fantasy and heart. But that was generations ago, under different circumstances and with different attitudes (and not even one black extra on set)

Nevertheless, this was a natural as a remake with the proper tweaking. 1996 audiences would never have gone for unabashedly fantastic aspects that are so appealing and endearing in the original, so all of that's toned-down, and as that is so fundamental to the original's success, it inevitably diminishes some of the remake's sparkle.

Still, there are worthwhile additions here. The perpetual problems of police-community relations and threats of gentrification are seamlessly inserted, and the monster that threatens is no longer a monolithic Tower to Mammon, but now a Luxury Gated Community development. And you can bet the preacher's church has a lot more than the bishop's wimpy boychoir, it's got a full-throated gospel group that nearly brings the house down, literally, but stops at breaking the boiler, just when they can least afford it.

Whitney Houston plays the devoted wife, but, true to her times, she is not the resigned shrinking violet the former bishop's wife was. Without ever jeopardizing her standing as the preacher's (Courtney B Vance) wife, she has no problem voicing her positions just as loud as he does.

Denzel Washington plays the angel sent to save the pastor's marriage and he and Whitney do make a very cute couple. Of note is Jenifer Lewis, already, playing Gramma 20 years before "Black-sh " There's a cute scene of white carolers, traditionally dressed, singing outside the posh digs of the evil black real estate developer (Gregory Hines) who, in 1996, can live anywhere he can afford to, and it's definitely NOT the ghetto. Best of all there's Whitney singing gospel like she did at her home church in East Orange, NJ, although the film shoot location was actually Jersey City a couple towns away, not far. .

As a Christmas Movie for the Whole Family, it does have a Hallmarkish air about it that can sometimes be contrived and cloying, but generally a Christmas Movie families of all colors should be able to enjoy

Barely Watchable

[davegering · 4/10 · 27 July 2007]

Let me state up front that I am a fan of both Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston. I am not, however, a fan of this movie.

The script is a complete mess; this movie doesn't know what it wants to be or wants to do. None of the leads is particularly credible in his or her roles. The story is not funny enough to be a comedy, nor compelling enough to be a drama. Another problem, and a big one, is the constant lead-ins to Whitney Houston musical numbers that don't really fit the story.

I didn't find this movie very entertaining, and frankly, there were a couple of times I surfed away looking for something better.

Nice

[Joejoesan · 7/10 · 25 December 2014]

Okay, The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant and David Niven remains a brilliant Christmas movie. But I must admit that its remake, The Preacher's Wife, isn't bad at all. As a vehicle for the singing talents of Whitney Houston it surely succeeds and I think the gospel setting is a great idea as well. Denzel Washington is charming as angel Dudley, Whitey does a great job as a disappointed wife (and sings wonderfully) and Courtney B. Vance is very convincing as a preacher who has lost hope.

Strangely there were not a lot of things copied from the original black and white movie. It looks like the people behind The Preacher's Wife only took the basic idea of the original movie and then made up its own story. I think the lack of commercial success is due to the fact that movies about angels don't fit in these cynical times anymore. With James Stewart, Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant in a black and white production you could get away with it. But in these modern days? I doubt it.

The Preacher's Wife is no classic, but it's a nice movie when you want to watch a (musical) Christmas film during the holidays.

Disappointing remake

[Whythorne · 3/10 · 4 September 2005]

Yet another cinematic remake of an older classic that begs the question: "Why?" Especially when the changes made to script and story not only offer no improvement, but are actually giant steps backward.

"The Bishop's Wife," upon which this film is based, beats this one hands down in all major categories of story, direction, and acting. I even enjoyed the original soundtrack by Hugo Friedhofer far better, in spite of the fact that this film was obviously intended to be a vehicle to exploit Whitney Houston's vocal talent. (Does that remind you of another Whitney Houston vehicle co-starring Kevin Costner?)

In the original movie, a need for an angel to be sent to the Bishop makes perfect sense...the bishop played by David Niven was obviously conflicted with earthly ambitions and had lost his way spiritually, sadly neglecting his wife and child in the process. In this remake, Denzel as Dudley the angel seems lost as to what his mission is. In fact, the Preacher often seems to be a better person than the angel in this version! The basic problem is that the Preacher is so dedicated in his role as pastor helping the sick and troubled ghetto kids, his time as a family man is understandably stretched thin. (Incidentally, there is a scene where Henry the preacher is spending quality time with his son, which even undercuts the film's attempt to construct this minor conflict.) Anyway, it all seems more like a job for a scheduling consultant than something as drastic as sending an angel down from heaven to perform "miracles".

The Bishop's Wife was also made during a time when Hollywood did not shy away from Christian spiritual themes. While Cary Grant's Dudley the angel is clearly a messenger and servant of God, Denzel Washington's tired glances skyward seem to indicate a reluctant impatience with the Almighty that further contradicts his role and ultimate purpose in the story. And as can be expected in this era of movie sermonizing, humanism is the true "savior" celebrated on Christmas Day.

A handsome cast with Denzel and Whitney, but lacking all the charm, subtle spiritual depth and cohesion of the original.

Not a bad film but ...

[adv_regs · 6/10 · 17 April 2006]

The reviewer Ichaerus commented that "The Preacher's Wife" was a remake after an older film. The film was, in fact, "The Bishop's Wife" [1948] starring Cary Grant (as 'Dudley'), Loretta Young (as the 'Wife') and David Niven (as 'The Bishop'). I thought the original was far better than the remake because, while Denzil Washington is a fine dramatic actor, he was miscast in a light comedy role. Even at her best - and this was far from her best - Whitney Houston isn't suited to comedy either (actually I think her roles thus far show that she isn't suited to any genre). The main actors in the original film, Cary Grant and Loretta Young, were arguably among the best comedic actors of their day, and David Niven was always reliable.

Pretty Stupid Re-Make

[ccthemovieman-1 · 4/10 · 13 November 2006]

I just couldn't get into this film, a re-make of sorts of "The Bishop's Wife." The first hour was either annoying or just plain boring, and by then I didn't care what happened in the rest of the movie. Not much happened throughout this film, anyway.

The angel in here, "Dudley" (Denzel Washington) said things no angel would say, such as "If you're up there, Lord, then....."

"If???" He's an angel and he doesn't know if there is a God? Puh-leeze. What an insult to anyone's intelligence and beliefs. Only the secular film world have a dialog like this, where "Secular Humanism," not Christianity, is worshiped, as it is in this film.

Whitney Houston looked good in here, the best I've ever seen her. Washington went around with a sappy look on his face through most of the film. I wonder if he was just embarrassed starring in a dumb movie like this.

I loved it

[carolynspringmorrison · 8/10 · 25 December 2009]

A very long time ago I happened on "The Bishop's Wife" and really liked it, but it wasn't a Christmas classic and I never saw it again. So when I realized there was a "re-make" I was excited. I liked this story even better! I thought Whitney Houston was terrific and the rest of the characters (especially her mother) were also very enjoyable. Sometimes I just need a break from the mayhem and violence and this is a sweet, uplifting, old-fashioned Christmas pleasure I try to watch every year. If you like Denzel, if you like Lionel Ritchie, if you like Gregory Hines, and especially if you like gospel music, please give this movie a try.

A fine showcase for Houston, though thickly-coated with whimsy...

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 18 January 2006]

Not being a fan of Henry Koster's somewhat misguided and over-praised Christmas romance "The Bishop's Wife" from 1947, I was surprised to find this all-black remake directed by Penny Marshall an improvement on the original, one featuring a fine performance by Whitney Houston. A handsome angel comes to Earth to help a beleaguered reverend and befriends his lonely spouse who is in charge of the church choir. With a solid cast at her disposal, Marshall, preserving the Christmas theme, mostly receives the jubilant results she was aiming for, though her too-obvious love of sentimentality coats the picture with a heavy whimsy (a lighter touch might have avoided this). Houston is appealing and effortless on the screen--she's a natural, making her scenes flow with ease. Denzel Washington and Courtney B. Vance are also good--although, in a switch from the '47 version, the male roles this time are far less interesting. **1/2 from ****

Dud remake

[Lejink · 3/10 · 21 December 2018]

I love the original classic Hollywood movie "The Bishop's Wife" which starred Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven, on which this remake was based and really hoped that this feature, directed by the recently deceased Penny Marshall, would give me as much enjoyment as the original this Christmas.

Sadly for me it didn't. It should have worked, with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston heading the cast but somehow it just never took off. Transplanting the action up to date to a poor black neighbourhood where kids can get mistakenly arrested and convicted just for being on the periphery of a crime scene should have worked as should the injection of Yuletide evangelical fervour as Houston whips her gospel choir into shape, but it doesn't.

Denzel Washington is dapperly dressed as the fallen angel Dudley, who gets his chance to do a good deed on earth at Christmas time for his boss upstairs and gets to smile beneficently in almost every scene he's in but for all this you never get the sense that he and Houston are ever going to have a mad passionate affair together. Similarly I didn't detect any real underlying matrimonial tenderness between Houston and her hard-pressed preacher husband, played by Courtney B Vance. The common factor here, I hate to say it, is Whitney, who while she sings throughout with fervour, just doesn't bring her wife and mother character to life. Vance is better in his part but even at the end when all is put right in the world, you still don't feel there's any demonstrable rekindled passion between them.

As for the rest of the cast, they never rise above two-dimensional caricature like Gregory Hines' avaricious property developer, or the couple's cutesy kid from whose perspective the story is told. The musical numbers are fine as you'd expect with Houston at the centre of them but even Dudley's little miracles pass by almost unnoticed, in particular the well-remembered Grant and Young skating scene from the original isn't even attempted.

At over two hours, it goes on too long and just lacks that magical effervescence and depth of feeling which go toward making a Christmas classic movie. Go back 50 years and try to catch the predecessor, that one will leave you with a warm seasonal glow.

Good christmas film for the family

[DunnDeeDaGreat · 16 June 2003]

The Preacher's Wife is food film that your whole family can enjoy at christmas time. I remember seeing this film six years ago and loving it.This was Denzel's and Whitney's first foray into family territory and both actors succeed. The two have great chemistry together and the choir scenes really get your fingers snapping. Justin Pierre Edmond who played Jeremiah was also good in his first role hope we see more of him.

Good for a drama, but lacking as a Christmas movie

[MyMovieTVRomance · 6/10 · 12 February 2022]

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".

Not a clasic Christmas movie but

[margineanvladdaniel · 7/10 · 30 December 2021]

If you like gospels and religious vibes from the afro american culture, you may like it. I had some problems with the temptations of both characters, but that's me, the result was the same and it felt too much that "the angel" had a little contribution to the troubling situations. Not great not terrible. It was good to hear Whitney again!

Angel's don't have sex on their mind

[emdragon · 4/10 · 24 February 2008]

This is a weak remake of the Bishop's Wife, a wonderful film from the 40s with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven creating the characters as they were really meant to be from the novel by Robert Nathan. There were some aspects of this movie that I liked. The children were uniformly good. The camera work and street scenes were well orchestrated. The singing was a joy. But the script has Denzel Washington basically lusting after Whitney Houston, which is not supposed to be what the movie is about. In one scene Dudley (Denzel) and Julia (Whitney Houston) are gazing into a store shop window. He is telling her in a tone that is obviously sexually oriented. . . that if she wears a certain negligee her husband would'nt want more of a present than that. But it is he that is practically drooling. C'mon, he is supposed to be an angel!? Everything that was sweet and wonderful about the original film is missing from this one. I have usually liked Penny Marshall movies in the past, but this one misses the boat.

Not a bad film with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington

[lisafordeay · 6/10 · 24 May 2021]

The Preachers Wife is a 1996 festive comedy starring Whitney Houston, Courtney B Vance and Denzel Washington. Directed by Penny Marshall(Big) the movie is about a pastor who is struggling with his church as well as his wife Julia(Houston). However when a mysterious man named Douglas (Washington) enters the picture,will he help the pastor with his marriage and his church.

Overall I thought it was a decent flick. If you like Christian films or Sister Act or your just a fan of the late Whitney Houston then check it out.

Also features Lionel Ritchie and Whitney's mother Cissy.

Denzel hits a bump in the road

[guyb · 1/10 · 20 December 2000]

Usually I'm a huge fan of Denzel Washington, but not this time out. He just phones it in and isn't really given much to work with. This is very light predictable stuff. Unless you are into black church music and Whitney Houston, forget it and go to bed early.

all the ingredients of a good holiday film

[rebeljenn · 4/10 · 11 March 2006]

'The Preacher's Wife' contains all of the ingredients that a good holiday film needs. The film is about a preacher who is struggling to find the romance with his wife, and he meets an angel who has come down to sort things out. The film also has an element of comedy to its touching story and the characters in it. The story is what makes this film a good one, and it is worth watching around the holiday season. It's generally a feel-good film, but it is not one that stands out completely with an original plot and stunning cinematography. It is simply a fun film, and it succeeds in that aspect. Just expect it to be another take on a romantic holiday film.

Romantic winner

[cg-cgeorge · 9/10 · 25 December 2008]

This is a wonderful piece of work that should not be compared with any other in the genre of the Christmas/angel type or the so often mentioned Bishop's Wife. Its not the first film to use an old story and alter it and should be looked at as an original piece of work which is what it is. It simply works well mainly because it is perfectly cast, any romantic will be drawn in, willing the beautiful people in this case Whitney Houston and Dezel Washington together. Washington is pure magic on the screen, playing the inoffensive angel who ignores the ignorance and rudeness thrown at him by thoughtless people who should know better, he pulls off some great moments in the story. Unusually too the children are well cast, not too sugary or given scene stealing lines, they complement the adults rather than displace or ridicule them. This is a specialist type of film, a romantic, unrealistic dreamy story, and must be judged in that light.

Take a perfect movie that is fun to watch. Than miscast the wholeMovie and make this mess

[vittorio-13 · 1/10 · 29 December 2021]

The only good thing about this movie was the actor who played the bishop. The rest of the cast was miscast. Mr. Washington was not the right choice. He had no charisma when it came to this part. The whole show felt that they were not having any fun. It was a chore watching this movie. Yes I loved the first movie and it was amazing. Some major mistakes were made with this movie. First the cast, Whitney was not happy being there and you could tell. Mr. Wash could have been great if he just let himself go. He tried to be in to much control. He was not having any fun and there was no chemistry between him and Whitney. It was a sad affair skip this movie and go for the original because it blows this was away.

Why Can't We All Have an Angel Like Denzel Visit Us?

[tfrizzell · 16 October 2003]

A completely ignored and under-rated life-affirming tale that never did really find an audience when released in late 1996. "The Preacher's Wife" is a remake of the "The Bishop's Wife" (a golden-age Hollywood experience from 1947 that starred Cary Grant) that works due to Denzel Washington's charming performance. Washington is an angel from Heaven who is sent to Earth to help a struggling inner-city reverend (Courtney B. Vance). Vance's church is about to fall under the hands of land developer Gregory Hines and his marriage to choir leader Whitney Houston also seems to be on the rocks. Can Washington change everyone's life for the better or will he just make matters worse? Nice direction by Penny Marshall (a film-maker who just cannot seem to get the respect she deserves) and the appealing pairing of Washington and Houston make "The Preacher's Wife" one of the better family-oriented productions of the 1990s. 4 stars out of 5.

Boring, Unintelligent Drivel

[FiendishDramaturgy · 2/10 · 22 March 2007]

Denzell Washington and Witney Houston, and THIS was the best they could do? An unintelligent and unintentional remake of the Bishop's Wife?! This was a boring, dull, plodding, and unenlightened mess. I have to write 10 lines of text, but that's about all there is to say about this train wreck. The movie was completely uninspired, featuring nothing in the way of entertainment, nothing in the way of spirituality, and nothing in the way of hope that the movie will just END.

This was a complete waste of time.

Because Denzell was still completely awesome, it rates a rating at all at a 2.2/10 from...

the Fiend :.