Date with an Angel

Date with an Angel-720P

Date with an Angel-360P

Date with an Angel-480P

source: Date with an Angel

I watched this film again recently after nearly ten years and was pleased to find that it's very much as I remember it. Emmanuelle Beart as the angel is a perfect mixture of stunning beauty, and playful innocence, all expressed using only facial expressions, and soft birdlike cooing sounds. Whether gleefully snarfing french fries, or bringing down the wrath of god on her enemies, she steals every scene she's in. It's easy to understand why everyone falls in love with her. Special effects are mainly limited to a set of beautiful articulated wings, and a lovely flying sequence are quite effective, especially considering the films small budget. Michael Knight holds up his end well enough, effectively likeable and sympathetic playing the standard befuddled hero caught in the middle. A shame we haven't seen more of him. The three actors playing Jim's friends just manage to miss being annoying. Fortunately their antics are tempered by the fact that they obviously seem to care about him, not to mention they have some genuinely funny lines. If there are any negatives to be found here, it's in the decidedly 'tacked on' ending. The original ending was supposedly quite lovely. Unfortunately some studio exec apparently decided it needed a 'happier' ending. Typical. Also, Phoebe Cates as the spoiled 'jealous girlfriend' quickly grows tiresome and starts to grate on the nerves with her tantrums and shrill screaming. I guess some might find this sort of thing funny, but I found myself fast forwarding through all of her scenes. A shame really since she's such a lovely actress. In spite of the gripes though this is a pleasant and sweet enough little movie for those who enjoy romantic fantasies.

Anybody who looks at this film, will say what a unimaginative story, nervetheless at leat a bit entertaining.... But in a contrast to this, the soundtrack is a very special one. The music is by Randy Kerber / Sound Design by Dane Tracks. Singing composition and additional voice is by Avant Garde diva Joan La Barbara. Her voice is uttering in a peculiar way. Not human, maybe angelic?! - Usely angels in films sing like saloon sopranos from the 19th century in very kitschy manner. The music in the film is very kitschy, too. But the voice of La Barbara ist relativating the rest of the film.

Today May 8th,2008 I watched this movie for first time since i last saw it in the 80's. Over 20 years and it still impacts the same characteristics it did way back then. drama, comedy, love. Where you find yourself laughing so hard your sides hurt one minute and the next minute tears flow from your eyes. I have never to this day seen a beauty like the angel played by Emmanuelle Béart. She truly had the face of an angel. I have no idea why this movie has never been redone, perhaps because there is nobody that could reflect that much beauty with just a smiling face. Don't know why some people complain about the directing and special effects. We are talking 1987.......remember back when cell phones were something only dick Tracy had one...loll In my opinion I think the directing was awesome and storyline couldn't be better. I have had only one regret since i first saw this movie and that is that this angel was found by another first and is married. I would surly offer myself for death if there was an angel like this to comfort me......

Date With An Angel (1987): Michael E. Knight, Emmanuelle Beart, Phoebe Cates, David Dukes, Phil Brock, Albert Macklin, Peter Kowanko, Bibi Besch, Vinny Argiro, Steven Banks, Cheryl Pollak, Charles Lane, J. Don Ferguson, Beth Hogue, Tony Reitano, Leslie Norris, Thomas L. McIntyre, Eve Brent, Joe Herold, Mimi Green, Jerry Campbell. Director Tom McLoughlin...Screenplay Tom McLoughlin. Tom McLoughlin directed and wrote this little known romantic comic movie from 1987, one that is warm and magic but was overshadowed by the more A list and popular romantic comedy classics of the 80's such as the films of Molly Ringwald. Truth be told, you have to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy this film about a guy and his feelings for an angel. Despite the appearance of an angel, this film has nothing to do with Christianity nor does it contain some moral message. It's pure comedy, pure romance, fantasy and 1980's memorabilia. When aspiring music composer Jim Sanders (Michael E. Knight) is taken away from his engagement party to Patty Winston (Phoebe Cates) by his friends, he has a drunken night of recklessness and discovers an angel has fallen into his pool. The angel (the beautiful French actress Emmanuelle Beart) is mute and speaks in a weird, unknown language, attracts forest animals and has divine powers such as the ability to emanate light, become invisible and fly. But her wings are broken and she is therefore vulnerable. Jim's friends seize the opportunity to expose the angel and profit off the controversy and publicity it would trigger. Soon, Jim finds himself running from these friends, from his jealous and enraged fiancée and from the authorities. This is not a complicated story nor does it offer any philosophy or questions the meaning of life despite the fact there's an angel in the movie. Don't expect something deep when it's simply a romantic comedy from about 20 years ago. Terrific script, cinematography with a dreamy look (by Alex Thompson) and a blend of 80's music and celestial-techno from Randy Kerber. Emmanuelle Beart is beautiful and even believable as an angel. The comedy style may go over the heads of today's young audiences but if you grew up in the 80's this comedy is sure to bring back memories. Funny are moments like when the angel learns to enjoy French fries/fast food, when the Love Beatle delivery boy does his thing and the many comic dialogues which come from almost everyone. Because of some language, because of sexual innuendo (though sex is never shown) and the fact that it's a romance about a guy who dumps a bitchy girlfriend for a hot angel, this movie should be viewed by older children and mature audiences, around the ages of 13 and up. It's not exactly a family movie as there are certain elements which classify this film as an adult romance. So take a trip back to the 80's and watch as an angel learns to love the human world.

Chick flick that this chick didn't like. If I could look like any actress on the planet it would be Phoebe Cates. The dumbest thing to do was to cast Phoebe Cates as the third wheel in a fantasy romance. The fantasy is not that there are angels (I believe there are), but that anyone engaged to Phoebe Cates would not devote one hundred per cent of his time to her...if Phoebe Cates is not an angel on earth, who is? Michael Knight is handsome but stupid. Part of the reason I watch Phoebe Cates films is to put myself in her place. If I was in her place I would kick him to the curb. Phoebe Cates is too stunning to be shelved temporarily either in a relationship or in a script. The producers suspected this by casting (as a distraction) the wonderful French beauty Beart (of Manons in the Spring) in the angel role (sorry close, but no cigar). Beart as an angel is no Roma Downey, in fact she can't even communicate! Beart as a beauty is no Phoebe Cates. So where do you go once this fatal error is fully entrenched? No where. Phoebe Cates as usual rises above the role connecting more with the audience than with her on-screen fiance Michael Knight (ooh hasn't his career blossomed). My suggestion: rent the film, leave the doomed romance between Beart and Knight to the fast forward button, laugh at the producers who put their money into the "great stars" Knight and Beart, and enjoy Phoebe Cates performance. I think you have to be a Phoebe Cates fan to have any reason to rent this film. I am her biggest fan. If you are not a fan...yet...don't start with this film watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Drop Dead Fred, Paradise, Bodies Rest and Motion, even Gremlins 2. All of her performances are gems, but caution: Date With An Angel is for experienced Phoebe fans only.

I found this film to be one of the most beautiful, funny and occasionally sad films i have ever seen! The acting is excellent. The music is perfect for the theme. The special effects are very very well done for the times and the comedy is top notch! I highly, highly recommend this film for ALL the family. I think the plot was very well thought out as well. I must have watched this film at least 80 times and never get tired of it. "Patty" is incredibly funny in some scenes too. I think they couldn't have found anybody as good as the angel. She was terrific and played the part so so well. Im very hard to please when it comes to films and believe me, this pleased me 100%. Rent or buy it. You wont be disappointed.