It's A Wonderful 'Wife'
Whitney, Denzel Warm Up The Season With A Moving Romantic Comedy

Date: December 13, 1996
By By Tony Norman, Staff Writer

From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Submitted by: Larry A.


Ever since "It's a Wonderful Life" elevated the Christmas feel-good film to the level of perennial cultural event in 1946, audiences have craved Capra-esque entertainment during the holidays.

Because the silver screen is usually filled with scenes of mayhem and destruction thanks to adolescent male tastes that dictate profitability, the weeks before Christmas are designated a testosterone-free zone.

Films for adults are usually trotted out at this time and high-minded themes are given a few weeks to prove themselves before the cycle of violence starts again.

This year, director Penny Marshall has unveiled the season's most heartwarming entry - "The Preacher's Wife," a soulful remake of "The Bishop's Wife."

"The Preacher's Wife" stars Denzel Washington as Dudley, an angel who comes to Earth during the Christmas season to help Reverend Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) strengthen his marriage to Julia (Whitney Houston) and overcome his struggles with self-doubt.

After experiencing earthly delights like pizza and hot dogs, Dudley immediately ingratiates himself with Biggs' family, especially Julia and son Jeremiah (Justin Pierre Edmund).

Biggs originally regards Dudley as nothing more than a harmless eccentric after the angel confesses his mission to the skeptical preacher.

But it doesn't take long for Dudley's angelic charisma to manifest itself to everyone, especially the preacher's wife.

Dudley's friendship with Julia becomes a minor threat to the harried minister who can't be as attentive to the details of his domestic life while there's a plot afoot to move his urban church to the suburbs.

Gregory Hines plays Joe Hamilton, a rich former member of the church who schemes to demolish the old sanctuary and move the congregation to a crystal cathedral-style complex.

Biggs balances these pressures while refusing Dudley's offers of assistance.

While everything in "The Preacher's Wife" smacks of the predictable, it is a touching and often hilarious film.

Washington is terrific as the well-meaning angel who develops conflicting motives the closer he gets to Julia.

When Dudley goes dancing with Julia at a jazz club, Marshall coaxes a sweetly comic performance out of Washington who cuts it up on the dance floor. This is a side to the actor we rarely see.

Houston is wonderful in the title role, playing a full-time mom and choir director with dignity and vulnerability. She's quickly developing into an actress who can handle nuanced roles.

Vance also does a terrific job of conveying both doubt and strength. He brings just the right amount of understatement to the role.

"The Preacher's Wife" can also boast of a great supporting cast that includes Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis and Lionel Richie. But the film's greatest asset may be the glorious gospel-pop that permeates the soundtrack.

If this film doesn't get you in the mood for a yuletide blessing, nothing will.