We're No Angels (1989)

I have seen the original and this is a rare remake that surpasses the original. What it really is about is how the Power Of God can improve the lives of four people who really needed him. Ned (Robert DeNiro), Jim (Sean Penn), Molly (Demi Moore), and her daughter. Obviously, the daughter being able to speak and the affect on Molly (Regaining her faith) was most important, but also how Jim was chosen to give a Sermon, and as he said it was the first time he "Ever won anything." This led him down a path that God had planned for him, which is learning how to become a Priest, and influence others in his new identity as "Father Brown." Ned, gains the least of the four (Although getting Demi Moore is not bad), but his role is the most important because he is the one who jumps in and tries to save the little girl and the presence of the statute of the Virgin Mary saves both of them. My favorite part of the film is where the girl speaks to The Translator" (Wallace Shawn), and says they are conv... before going to sleep, and he thought they were converts not convicts. He said is this true? Ned says don't good works count for anything? When he said converts instead of convicts, Ned said we were born Lutherans, and The Translator said "God Forgives You." That part followed by the ending where Ned and Molly go to Canada, and he hints to her about plans, and she says what plans? And he says all in good time, while Ned remains behind to become a monk. It shows the different paths that Ned and Jim will take while still being free. 10/10 Stars.

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.

We're No Angels (1989) *** (out of 4) Remake of the 1955 film has Robert DeNiro and Sean Penn playing escaped convicts who hide out as priests in a small town where they try to sneak across the border into Canada. Most of the reviews you read for this film will probably be negative but I've always enjoyed what the movie has to offer even though there's no way of denying that it could have and should have been a lot better than it turned out. I think the biggest problem with the film is the direction of Jordan who just wasn't right for the material. This is suppose to be a comedy yet you wouldn't know it because Jordan handles the material so dark that it's rather hard to get many laughs. We've get some rather strong tones on religion and even some strong violence, which just doesn't sit too well in a comedy. Even the entire atmosphere of the film is rather dark, which is a staple of Jordan but again, that wasn't really needed in this film. What does work are the performances by DeNiro and Penn who are excellent together. Playing dumb is never an easy thing but both men pull this off remarkably well, which is very important since most of the laughs come from them not understanding anything to do with religion yet they're suppose to be priests. The two men's facial expressions is what works the best because the look on their faces when they're put on the spot are just flawless as is their constant begging and pleading for various things throughout the movie. Demi Moore has a supporting role, which brings in more darkness that really isn't needed but Bruno Kirby and John C. Reilly turn in nice supporting performances with Reilly really standing out as another priest obsessed with Penn. The laughs throughout the film are certainly minor but to me the film still works well thanks to the terrific performances. You really don't expect to see DeNiro and Penn in a movie like this but they both pull it off very well and make it worth viewing.

Once we are past the opening scenes set in what seems to be a coal mine doubling as a prison, this film can be enjoyed as a fable. Many films should be prefaced with the phrase 'once upon a time' and this one is no exception. Producer DeNiro could not get Stan and Ollie so he put himself in the latter role, and chose Penn for the part of Laurel. We keep expecting to see Penn break out into Laurelish tears at any moment, and it is only the sound of the water that prevents us from hearing DeNiro shouting "whooaaaaaaa" as he slides down the falls. And there are so many times I expected Ollie to swat Stanley, but it never happens.Left to their mugging, my rating might be higher, but somehow inserting Demi into the mix spoils something. If the time were 1930, the little girl who plays a key role would have had a much older looking mother, or at least one who looked more bedraggled by her life in that wilderness.Then the storyline takes a disastrous violent turn just after the statute seems to have produced another miracle. Such a scene worked in Some Like It Hot when the killer jumped out of the cake. Here it ruins the mood that is being set. Surely there was another way to get the girl into the water.I have no problem, however, watching it again.