The Preacher's Wife (1996)
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63% of critics liked it
(40 reviews) -
54% of users liked it
(28,640 ratings)
An angel wonders if love can be Heaven on Earth in this family-themed romantic fantasy. Rev. Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) is the pastor of a struggling Baptist church in a poor section of New York City. Biggs is devoted to serving his flock and his community, but things are not easy; membership… More An angel wonders if love can be Heaven on Earth in this family-themed romantic fantasy. Rev. Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) is the pastor of a struggling Baptist church in a poor section of New York City. Biggs is devoted to serving his flock and his community, but things are not easy; membership is down, money is tight, the furnace is broken, and real estate mogul Joe Hamilton (Gregory Hines) wants to buy the property and put up condominiums. The strain is taking its toll on Biggs' marriage to his childhood sweetheart Julia (Whitney Houston), and in a moment of desperation, he prays to the Lord for help. The prayer is answered in the form of Dudley (Denzel Washington), an angel sent to earth to assist Biggs. The preacher doesn't believe that Dudley is a divine being, but he'll take any help he can get, while Julia, who thinks that Dudley is just another community volunteer, welcomes him into their home. However, Dudley is sidetracked in his earthly mission when he finds himself falling in love with Julia. Leading lady Whitney Houston takes the opportunity to sing several gospel numbers along the way. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG, 2 hr. 4 min.
- Directed By
- Penny Marshall
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Dec 13, 1996 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 13, 2002
Critic Reviews
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Esther Iverem, Washington Post
There are many good reasons for going to see The Preacher's Wife.
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Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
The Preacher's Wife qualifies as old-fashioned Hollywood movie making at its corniest and most saccharine. But the mostly African American cast puts an engaging spin on the chestnut, and it works beautifully.
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Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
For a movie that might have offered a new twist of the mistletoe, The Preacher's Wife delivers the Scrooge-like acceptable market minimum.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
The Preacher's Wife is one Christmas picture that actually is in the spirit of the season. It's warm, sentimental, amusing yet serious, bringing fantasy to bear upon the painfully real.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This movie could have done more, but what it does, it makes you feel good about.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Cast
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Denzel Washingtonas Dudley -
Whitney Houstonas Julia Biggs -
Courtney B. Vanceas Rev. Henry Biggs
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Gregory Hinesas Joe Hamilton -
Justin Pierre Edmundas Jeremiah Biggs -
Jenifer Lewisas Margueritte Coleman
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