THE PREACHER'S WIFE

US, 1996, 125 minutes, Colour.
Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B.Vance, Gregory Hines.
Directed by Penny Marshall.

A couple of people sighed, very emotionally, towards the end of The Preacher's Wife. It is a remake of the 1947 The Bishop's Wife where Cary Grant was the angel, Dudley, now played by Denzel Washington and Loretta Young the wife, now Whitney Houston. Courtney B. Vance plays the David Niven role.

This is the kind of film many people say should be made. It is a very, very nice film and, though there are reminders of gun dangers on the streets and greedy property developers, it reminds us of the ideal and traditional values of family, church and religion. While it could cheer us up, it suggests that our world could be without problems if only we tried harder - and God sent down nice angels to move things along. Almost too nice

1.An entertaining sentimental comedy? Sentiment for the '90s? The religious background of the film? The '90s and the interest in angels? The films about angels?

2.The blend of comedy and sentiment? A nice film?

3.The film as an updating and remake of The Bishop's Wife? A film of the '40s? The white American setting? The update, the '90s, the black American setting? Geared for a black American audience? Worldwide audience?

4.The atmosphere of the American city, the streets, the homes, the courts, church? The transition in the American cities from pulling down old buildings to erecting lavish locations and buildings?

5.The musical score, the gospel songs, the contribution of Whitney Houston?

6.The background of angels? The God-language? American-style angels? Black Americans? The credibility of the story? Human needs and divine intervention?

7.The basic situation: the family, Henry Biggs and his feeling that he had failed in his ministry, a touch of estrangement with his wife? Their son? His social concern, the closing of the youth centre, the young man in jail - all symbols of his failure? His depression? His prayer and God answering him by sending Dudley?

8.The structure of the film and the narrative by Jeremiah, the little boy's tone, telling of a fairy tale, the Christmas setting, introducing the characters, Dudley as seen through his eyes, everybody else being able to forget Dudley except Jeremiah, his reminding his parents and his final comment? The importance of the child's perspective?

9.The characters of Henry and Julia? Their love for one another, Julia telling Dudley the story of their being children together, their courtship when young, going to Jazzies and seeing the booth where Henry proposed? The background of their families, Julia's father and his ministry? Henry trying to keep pace with his father-in-law? The presence of the mother-in-law and her demands, comments, knowing what was going on? St Matthew's and the conduct of the ceremonies, Henry's despondency, the opening sermon, Julia and the choir responding? His using an old sermon? The need for some kind of help?

10.The arrival of Dudley, falling in the snow, playing with the children? His suit, well-dressed style, gentlemanly, charming? His trying to get used to Earth - his eyes raised and praying to God? Trying out the pizza and the other food? The mystery of when he was on Earth and why he was allowed to come back and have another chance? The pizza man and his defence of Henry Biggs and pushing Dudley along? The taxi ride? Dudley finding accommodation? His mission? The encounter with Henry, reading him the rules, getting the lift, Henry's suspicions and antagonism? His coming to the rectory and Beverly's upset about losing her job, his pacifying her, getting the coffee? Charming Julia and Marguerite? His claim to being sent as an assistant? Jeremiah and his fright and his calming him? Ingratiating himself into the household? Helping with the work - the computer and the windows and the printout? His helping Jeremiah when his friend was taken away? The discussion about letter-writing, teaching him to spell? The friendship with Julia? Henry and his exasperation, coming to rely on Dudley? Dudley and the shopping, the skating? His idea for Henry to take Julia dancing - and Henry's being unable to, Dudley and Jazzies, dancing, attracted to Julia, bringing her home, Marguerite and her warning? The angel falling in love? The achievement of his mission, going with Henry to Joe Hamilton's? Helping him with advice about the boy going to jail? Being in the church, seeing Henry transformed, the farewells? Standing in the street - and Henry and Julia not recognising him, Jeremiah's farewell? His mission achieved? Portrait of an angelic character?

11.The effect of Dudley on Henry - his decision to go along with Joe Hamilton, supported by the parish council? Henry's change of heart, Julia's reaction at being left out? His confronting Joe Hamilton in his home? Joe Hamilton (visited by Dudley and affected by him) coming to the church and giving his support? His neglect of Julia, not going dancing with her, being held up in the traffic and missing the skating? The bonds in the family and falling in love again with Julia, caring for Jeremiah? The importance of looking the young boy in the eye in the court, his vigorous defence in the court and getting the boy out on parole? Saul and his bus, the other members of the church and winning them back? The final ceremony and his really being moved in his final sermon? His spirit revived - a spirit of hope? Julia and her work in the parish, her tension in her relationship with her mother, saying that there was no problem? Her charity work - and delivering the Christmas gifts when Henry thought the address was wrong? The Christmas play, Jeremiah as a sheep, the rehearsals, Jeremiah's promotion? The child who was Mary getting upset with the leaking doll, Julia taking her place as Mary in the pageant? The outing to Jazzies and her song, her singing with the choir, her handling of the group at rehearsals? The skating, the shopping? Her falling in love with Dudley - but her love for Henry? Her handling the situation well, the farewell to Dudley? The future of Henry and Julia together?

12.Joe Hamilton, his plans for transformation of the precinct, his TV ads and his oily approach, his meetings, getting the parish council over on his side, Henry and his decision, the promise for the new boiler, Henry's change of heart, Dudley visiting him - and the mysterious sounds and piano-playing, his change of heart, his enthusiasm in the church?

13.Marguerite, a dominant presence in the house, her shrewdness, memories of her marriage, interfering with Henry, trying to help her daughter, love for Jeremiah? A touch of ironic comedy for the film?

14.Beverly, her place in the choir, her children, the preacher's secretary, fearing the loss of her job, becoming friendly with Dudley, the pageant, her love for Saul - and the prospect of a happy marriage?

15.Britsloe and the presence of Lionel Ritchie in the film, piano-playing, the friendship with Julia, welcoming her to the club, with Dudley, the conversations and the memories? His being present at the end and the final ceremony?

16.Billy, the shooting in the street, the shopkeeper blaming him, the prejudice against him, going to court, the treatment by the judge, lack of bail, Henry's inability to help, the mother and her concern, Henry and his being inspired by Dudley, looking Billy in the eye, the impassioned speech in the court, giving the boy to his mother?

17.Jeremiah's friend, the sadness of his having to go away, the farewell, the magic of his return - and one year later his being part of the family?

18.The characters in the parish, the choir, the people in the street, shopkeepers - the portrait of the neighbourhood?

19.The courts and a touch of realism to the film?

20.The religious language of the film, the traditional beliefs, the family unit, prayer, worship, belief in God, angels and miracles? As perceived for a 1990s audience?