Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gentle, kind comedy has smoking, drinking, sex references.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Michael
What's the Story?
In MICHAEL, a letter from a woman in Iowa, who claims an angel lives with her, sets tabloid journalist Quinlan (William Hurt) and two colleagues on a cross-country journey of discovery. The smoking and drinking Michael (John Travolta) isn't the angel they were expecting, but Michael still touches their lives in unexpected ways.
Is It Any Good?
Director Nora Ephron knows her way around feel-good. Overshadowed by her bigger hits You've Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle, Michael is a huge-hearted road movie with a touch of magic that's well worth seeking out. Travolta is excellent as the smoking, drinking miracle worker. Michael is a surprisingly complex character and Travolta hits every target along the spectrum that gets us lost in the movie's gentle world. Even its edges are rounded in the nicest possible way. Women are drawn to Michael -- the Travolta's undeniable charisma is one reason, the character's aroma of cookies and cakes is the cherry on top. We even get a sensual but light-hearted Travolta dance sequence that's equal parts Pulp Fiction and Saturday Night Fever.
Michael may be an angel, but this isn't a religious movie. Nor is it an anti-religion movie. It's a movie about appreciating what you've got, making an effort to be kinder, savoring the moment, and learning to love. It's also a road movie. For its short runtime, there's nobody more pleasant to travel with than Travolta's angel, Hurt's crabby journalist, Andie MacDowell's wannabe country singer, polite charmer Huey (Robert Pastorelli), and his pet dog, Sparky. By the time the group have completed their journey from Iowa to Chicago, everyone's a whole lot happier -- viewer included.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different character strengths promoted in Michael. What examples of compassion, empathy, communication, and gratitude can you give from the movie? Can you think of a time when you've demonstrated these traits?
How were drinking and smoking portrayed? Were there consequences? Did it glamorize it?
Was Michael how you expected an angel to be? What do you think the movie showed us by defying expectations? Would you describe the film as a religious movie?
How did the film portray sex? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 1996
- On DVD or streaming : September 8, 2009
- Cast : John Travolta , William Hurt , Andie MacDowell
- Director : Nora Ephron
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : New Line Cinema
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Empathy , Gratitude
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : a mild barroom brawl, some language and sensuality
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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