← Back to results
The Preacher's Wife
1996 123 min United States of America PG 18+
★6.5
Family, Fantasy, Drama, Comedy, Romance
Director: Penny Marshall
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Good-natured Reverend Henry Biggs finds that his marriage to choir mistress Julia is flagging, due to his constant absence caring for the deprived neighborhood they live in. On top of all this, his church is coming under threat from property developer Joe Hamilton. In desperation, Biggs prays to God for help – which arrives in the form of an angel named Dudley.
Budget:
$40M
US Gross:
$48.1M
Worldwide:
$48.1M
Starring
Denzel Washington
Actor
Whitney Houston
Actor
Courtney B. Vance
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1997
— Best Score for a Comedy or Musical
Key opinion
The Preacher's Wife is a gentle, holiday-themed remake that relies heavily on the screen presence of its lead stars to carry its familiar plot. While viewers appreciate its wholesome, uplifting atmosphere and gospel music, opinions are split on whether it stands up to the original film or suffers from excessive musical interruptions and pacing issues.
| Acting | Denzel Washington brings a captivating, joyful charisma to his role as the angel Dudley. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds as an old-fashioned, feel-good holiday story that provides a comforting escape. | |
| musical_score | Whitney Houston's powerful musical performances are a highlight for fans, though critics argue they disrupt the narrative flow. | |
| Production | The production design, particularly the church interiors, is widely praised for its warmth and visual appeal. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is viewed as sluggish and slow to get started, only gaining narrative momentum after the midpoint. | |
| Adaptation | Critics are divided on the necessity and quality of the remake, with some finding it charming and others viewing it as inferior to the 1947 original. |