Holy Man (1998)

12% of critics liked it
(50 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(39,336 ratings)

Stephen Herek directed this comedy-drama in which soul-less exec Ricky Hayman (Jeff Goldblum), programmer for the failing Good Buy Shopping Network, is dismayed by a request to increase sales in two weeks. Bald do-gooder guru G. (Eddie Murphy) assists when Ricky and marketing director Kate (Kelly… More Stephen Herek directed this comedy-drama in which soul-less exec Ricky Hayman (Jeff Goldblum), programmer for the failing Good Buy Shopping Network, is dismayed by a request to increase sales in two weeks. Bald do-gooder guru G. (Eddie Murphy) assists when Ricky and marketing director Kate (Kelly Preston) get a freeway flat. When G. passes out, tests indicate a heart murmur and heat prostration, so the robed prophet becomes Ricky's house guest. At a party, G. uses hypnosis and psychology to rid guest Nino Cerruti (portraying himself) of his flying fears. Ricky witnesses this and gets the notion to put G. on the air. Unfortunately, G. ignores both cue cards and on-sale products, prompting station owner McBainbridge (Robert Loggia) to calculate Ricky's severance pay. He's back on the job when both sales and ratings soar. The situation eventually causes Ricky to reexamine how his own values became lost in the labyrinth of corporate consumerism. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr.
Directed By: Stephen Herek
Written By: Tom Schulman
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 9, 1998 Wide
On DVD: May 18, 1999

Critic Reviews

Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader
It may not be earthshaking, but this calmly competent feel-good movie shows that a little sincerity can go a long way.
Leonard Klady, Variety
The material lacks a biting edge.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This screenplay was in no shape to be filmed; perhaps the filmmakers assumed that the mere presence of Eddie Murphy would repair its wrongs and give them a big opening weekend.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The film never really explains where G came from or where he's going.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
About halfway through Holy Man the terrible reality sets in: Oh, no, they mean for us to take this seriously.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
While Murphy probably has what it takes to make the comedian-to-serious actor transition, he needs to do what Martin, Williams, and Carrey did: hold out for a good script.
Richard Luck, Film4
Leaves you wondering whether there really is a God.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Good intentions abound, but we all know where they lead.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A thought-provoking but uneven comedy.
Derek Adams, Time Out
The kitsch on-air shopping sequences are often very funny.
Ron Wells, Film Threat
What does Hollywood teach us here? Materialism BAD! Television BAD! Media BAD!
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
The shallowness and lack of perspective of the story keeps everyone from delivering anything more than a mundane, mildly amusing comedy.
Eugene Novikov, Film Blather
It's always watchable, sometimes enjoyable, never special.
Jim Shelby, Palo Alto Weekly
[Murphy] is the only thing that isn't deadeningly predictable here, but it might still be worth the price of a ticket to see him continue to have such fun being a movie star.
Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)
Eddie Murphy's downhill decline
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Eddie Murphy still can't pick scripts worth a damn. It's not the worst movie he ever made, but that comes as small comfort when you're suffering through it.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
Oh brother, what a preposterous package it uses to deliver its warm and fuzzy message about What Really Matters.
Lisa Osborne, Boxoffice Magazine
A clever script and great comic timing from the entire cast take the infomercial parody to a whole new hilarious level.
Tom Meek, Boston Phoenix
Holy Man saddles its star with a leaden, melodramatic script that never allows the high jinks to get rolling at Murphy's hyperkinetic pace.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A comedy about the crazy wisdom of a holy fool.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

One of Eddie Murphy's better ones. (I know that is not saying a whole lot). It's not overly funny, but it does have quite a nice message to it. Sweet.
Lucas M

Holy Shit! God forgiven this filmmakes, they don't know that they are doing!
Dean M

This comedy misfire is an unfocused assortment of half-based ideas without the benefit of a star to hold it all together, since Eddie Murphy's participation is as vapid as the concept itself.
xGary X

Reasonable well-meaning but preachy comedy, that seemed more than a little hypocritical to me. Nice to see Murphy doing something different to his usual mugging and foul-mouthed schtick.
Jason S

It had funny parts. The cast was ok but this was during the period when Eddie just wasn't making any good movies. I don't think he's gotten over that slump.
danny d

decent flick
Leo L

Hilarious!
Sunil J

Eddie Murphy has rarely been this charming.