Angels are a bit of an American obsession, but are often rather boring. They are the messengers of God, and also the arc angels are great warriors (Lucifer being the toughest and best looking until he was kicked out of heaven).

So what happens if you don't believe in anything, let alone angels and you are sent to investigate an angel story, only to meet one with wings and less than angelic attitude.

Maybe that is what America needs, being a puritan is different from being good. Michael is a rude, obnoxious, womanizing messenger of heaven who will fulfill your wishes, and make you care enough about the world that you will be touched.

Funny, but not greatly so, touching but not overly sentimental, intelligent without being clever...it is just a good simple, small comedy. Watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Warm hearted flic depicting arch-angel Michael as a brawling, overweight, cigarette smoking slob who loves to dance and cavort with the opposite sex. He does have a good side, however, as he strives to set things right in the lives of a couple of burnt out losers before being recalled to heaven. Funny, well played out film; very enjoyable although somewhat irreverent.

Chicago tabloid National Mirror's editor Vartan Malt (Bob Hoskins) is looking for the next wild story. Reporter Frank Quinlan (William Hurt) gets a letter claiming to have an angel. Huey Driscoll (Robert Pastorelli) is the photographer who also owns the tabloid's mascot Sparky the Wonder Dog. Malt sends them and new hire Dorothy Winters (Andie MacDowell). He tells them that she's an angel expert but she's actually a dog trainer hired to replace Driscoll. In rural Iowa, Pansy Milbank (Jean Stapleton) has been boarding the angel Michael (John Travolta) and he isn't what the newspaper crew expected. He isn't imaginary, has wings, not very angelic, and a real ladies man.

This Nora Ephron movie seems to have a better premise than the eventual execution. Travolta is plenty charming. Hurt and MacDowell should have solid romantic potential. Pastorelli doesn't have the fun kind of comedy. There is nothing particularly wrong with this comedy except that it's not that funny. Travolta is more quirky than funny. His angel nature is never in question and the movie doesn't have the tension of questioning the truth. It's the same quirky idea again and again.