Michael
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Michael
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Michael is a gentle and heartwarming comedy drama about an angel on Earth, and has plenty of positive messages, some smoking, and implied sex and references. Michael (John Travolta) is a scruffy angel who lives for the moment but spreads many positive messages, such as communication, empathy, and compassion. He smokes cigarettes, drinks beer, and is alluring to women. Two characters kiss and share a morning-after scene but sex is only implied. Characters fight during a bar brawl scene but there is no injury. After the fight, characters end up in jail. Occasional language includes one use each of "s--t" and "bastard."
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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
- Studio: New Line Cinema
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Empathy, Gratitude
- Run time: 105 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: a mild barroom brawl, some language and sensuality
- Last updated: July 30, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Sleepless in Seattle
Romantic '90s fairy tale has some cursing, sex.
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The Straight Story
Great, but young kids may be bored and restless.
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Elf
Peppy holiday favorite for both kids and parents.
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