"We're No Angels" is a movie made for those faces, and one of the pleasures of watching the film is to see them looking sidelong at each other as they try to figure a way out of the complicated mess they're in. The movie has a lot of other good stuff to look at (including dramatic period locations in a small Canadian town) and to listen to (dialogue by David Mamet), but I can think of no other recent movie in which so much of the pleasure lies in watching the expressions on the faces of the actors - especially when they're reacting, not talking. Mamet and Neil Jordan, who directed the movie, wisely remember the most important thing about any mistaken- identity comedy: The fact that someone's identity is mistaken is not always funny even the first time and rarely thereafter. Movies that depend on mistaken identities for their laughs are among the slowest, dreariest slogs through cinema.

Too bad that the film came out to be both simplistic and ordinary despite of the talent involved especially when it features De Niro and Penn,two of the best actors in Hollywood; and Jordan,one of the finest director of the industry.There were a lot of boring moments.Also,it just turned out to be somewhat corny and provides minimal laughter in a lot of scenes.Overall,it was definitely a misfire from the cast and the director involved as it does not live up to its potential.

Overall rating: 6 out of 10.

The most enchanting thing this comedy has to offer is the cast—the performers (De Niro, Penn and Mrs. Moore) make very good roles.

De Niro got an opportunity here to cultivate his already obnoxious screen persona as a nervous, jumpy, sharp and (at least verbally) violent character, of copious irascibility; his interactions with Mgr Nogulich are delightful, when De Niro threatens him and wins his place in the procession. Penn shines at times; his festive sermon, the 'empty pocket sermon', is a bit disappointing, but that's the script.

Mrs. Moore is the courageous, loudmouthed and no—nonsense prostitute.

The touches of mysticism belong to the pop religiosity and ready—made sentimentalism (De Niro reaching to Mary in the waterfall; or the previous miracles, with the shoes and the tears), but nevertheless the comedy is never offensive; as you know, the comedy is a remake, so I credit the older script for taking this mild view of the religious life. I also liked the fact that WE'RE NO ANGELS is an amusement, not meant to be 'relevant' in any other way—merely a snappy comedy. The pace is everything, otherwise the characters are wholly _bidimensional and conventional.

With practically no resemblance to the 1955 Humphrey Bogart movie (nor to the play it was adapted from), film-buffs might find themselves perplexed as how to take this remake: two convicts escape prison and find themselves in a border town disguised as priests. What could be formulaic actually has some grit and ambiance to go along with its slapstick. Demi Moore, as a single mother of ill repute, gives one of her best performances and works very well with Robert De Niro, who takes a while to warm up (he's not a mugger, but is encouraged in that direction by director Neil Jordan). Sean Penn, on the other hand, never quite finds his way here, using a thick accent which is mildly irritating. Much better is John C. Reilly in a fantastic supporting bit as a novice priest who worships Penn, and there's a cute little girl in the movie who never acts like a movie kid (she's a natural). Lots of surprises in this critically-lambasted comedy, not the least of which is an extremely moving finale involving a waterfall and a holy statue. **1/2 from ****