The latest run on holiday films has hit an intriguing low; the Hollywood geniuses have lapsed into a field of slap-stick Santas and out-of-control reindeer.
"The Preacher's Wife" has that welcome, dual holiday / non-holiday flavor that has been missing from recent venues; it brings a new twist to the seasonal plot, while surrounding common themes.
With musical interludes from Whitney Houston and a strong cast including Denzel Washington, the remake of the 1947 classic "The Bishop's Wife" offers a decent variety to the standard holiday flick.
Houston's repertoire could raise a few eyebrows in her singing-mixed-acting career. However, her role here fits with style because the plot focuses elsewhere and not on her singing alone. Houston plays Julia Biggs, the wife of the pastor of St. Matthew's Church and the parish choir leader. Her musical talent fits aptly with her role and does not seem overdone nor overplayed.
A majority of the film's success stems from Denzel Washington's role as the angel Dudley. In answer to the Reverend Henry's (Courtney B. Vance) prayer for help, Dudley transcends to help the preacher regain control of his church community. Their interaction is funny and sincere, while the tense feelings between them create much anxiety.
When Henry becomes obsessed with parish problems, the relationship between he and his wife begins to falter. Dudley attempts to soothe the wounds, but in effect only makes things worse because the chemistry between Julia and the angel is dynamic. The subtle glances they exchange reveal that with each dilemma the pastor encounters, the more infatuated Julia becomes with the heavenly body.
When the world seems to cave onto the problematic Henry, his only hope is to turn to the nuisance Dudley. Washington takes a less stark approach to his role, and the result is a gentle man with a great deal of potential humor. His annoying appearances when Henry is at his worst makes him even more likable to audiences.
Amid all this romance and chaos, a younger actor makes an impressive debut as the son of the pastoral couple. Justin Pierre Edmund as Jeremiah Biggs shows much hope while he deals with the loss of a friend to an orphanage and his father's absence in church affairs. The innocence of the children combined with the mystical figure is magic and makes for light-hearted fun.
This amusement, however, causes some problems for the plot - it makes for a long film with a short time span. The significant, and thereby interesting events, happen few and far between, leaving much drag in the middle of the story. The surface of the story is stimulating and compassionate, but beyond that there is little of interest.
"The Preacher's Wife" is impressive with its character interaction. Houston and Washington are brilliant together, as is the angel with his project Henry.
Houston's singing is also commendable on the soundtrack, for unlike her previous films, it is not central and the major key in the movie's success. Her songs do not overshadow the point, nor do they inhibit her acting ability.
"The Preacher's Wife" is an engaging film about life-changing events. The plot's depth does not extend very far, thus leaving the film to fit in the holiday greatest hits category. The character changes hit at the heart and leave nothing but a pleasant feeling at the film's outcome. Houston is redeeming her acting career, and we may leave the theater apt to hear another song. Maybe.
Whitney and Denzel get friendly in "The Preacher's Wife."