Parents' Guide to Undercover Angel

Movie NR 2017 90 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Brian Costello By Brian Costello , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 8+

Mild content in decent faith-based romcom.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 8+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

In UNDERCOVER ANGEL, Robin (Katharine Isabelle) is a recently divorced mom who's moved to a new town with her tween daughter, Sophie (Lilah Fitzgerald). Her new house needs a lot of work, which means that Robin makes frequent trips to the hardware store -- where she befriends Izzy (Britt Irvin), who's trying to hide her crush on the store's uptight owner, Todd (Matthew MacCaull). Meanwhile, as Robin searches for a general contractor to help her with the house, Sophie prays that someone will come along to bring happiness to their lives. In heaven, guardian angel Carl (Julian Christopher) hears Sophie's prayer and sends an angel named Henry (Shawn Roberts) to pose as a contractor. Henry is awkward at first and unskilled at the basics of his job, but he tries to help Robin get dates and plays soccer with Sophie in the hopes that she'll try out for her school's soccer team. But things take an unexpected turn when there's a spark of romantic attraction between Robin and Henry. When Henry starts to act on his feelings, this enrages Carl, who orders Henry to disappear out of Robin and Sophie's lives immediately. Henry must choose between remaining an angel or becoming a human and finding true love.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This is a decent, if trite, romantic comedy. While there are some discussions of spirituality and prayer, Undercover Angel isn't an overly faith-based movie, and it's nowhere near as heavy-handed as similar movies involving miracle-working angels. Still, the story sticks to the familiar formula that keeps the Hallmark Channel in business. There's a divorced mom looking for love in all the wrong places, a sullen teenager, a friend who "tells it like it is." Etc., etc.

That said, the acting is above average almost across the board. The performers seem to be doing the best they can with what little they have to work with. Just don't expect any surprises or twists in Undercover Angel. Nothing really distinguishes from all the other romantic comedies and all the other "angel gets his wings" movies out there, and the story goes in every direction you think it will from the first moment on.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about faith-based movies. How is Undercover Angel similar to and different from other faith-based movies?

  • How does the movie compare to other romantic comedies?

  • How does the movie address topics like free will and the difference between miracles for those who need it vs. granting every wish someone might ask for while praying?

Movie Details

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