The Preacher's Wife

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The Preacher's Wife ★★ 1996 (PG)

Remake of 1947's “The Bishop's Wife” finds troubled Newark minister Henry Biggs (Vance) praying for heavenly intervention. His prayers are answered with angel Dudley (Washington)—who isn't so holy that he can't appreciate the minister's choirleading wife Julia (Houston). While trying to save his cashstrapped church from a greedy developer (Hines), Rev. Biggs is so mired in material problems that he is unable to believe that Dudley is actually an angel. Washington is the dictionary definition of debonair as the angel with a touch of the devil in his eye. All problems are, of course, wrapped up neatly with a bow on top in the end. The real stars of this Christmas tale, however, are Houston's vocal cords. Fans of her singing will love this movie, while others may want to rent the original. 124m/C VHS, DVD . Shari Headley, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine, Lionel Richie, Paul Bates, Justin Pierre Edmund, Darvel Davis Jr., William James Stiggers Jr.; D: Penny Marshall; W: Nat Mauldin, Allan Scott; C: Miroslav Ondricek; M: Hans Zimmer.

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