There was a time when I suffered from insomnia and would often stay up late watching television (this is pre Internet days). And this movie would often pop up on one of the cable channels and so I ended up watching it several times and (hanging head shamefully), I like it. I know it's not good. The performances are all over the top, the premise is ridiculous (if you have any kind of Christian religious belief, it's almost insulting), and the ending of the movie is a total cop-out. Phoebe Cates does look lovely but is not served well by the film. Emmanuelle Beart is absolutely gorgeous and makes for a delightfully goofy angel. They both make the film somewhat palatable. It also introduced me to Steve Winwood's great song "The Finer Things." But a good film it is not. Oddly enough, "Date with an Angel" did help me get through some challenging nights and I have a soft spot in my heart for it.

P. S. The one funny line in the film comes from Charles Lane's befuddled Catholic priest when asked by our hero what he should do with the angel. His reply? "Try the Baptists!"

I'm under no illusions. I realize this is not a good movie but I kinda love it. In wild retro 80s goodness an angel falls to earth and an unhappily engaged man decides to help her and ends up falling for her to the detriment of his crazy fiance played by an amazing Phoebe Cates. There's nothing deep here it's all surface. But it's fun and heartfelt and just hammy as hell. Nothing like this would ever get greenlit today and that's a good thing because this movie belongs right where it is, as part of a cinematic library so I can enjoy this guilty pleasure again and again.

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.