Well good ol Hans Gruber sent in this review of Eddie Murphy's Christmas film... HOLY MAN. The screening went well, and I can say this film really is a good film, cause I've seen it myself, and I plan on reviewing it soon. It actually has quite a bit of heart to it, and that's the sort of thing that's missing from a lot of comedies in this day and time....
I saw a test screening a few days ago of an upcoming Eddie Murphy film named "Holy Man". Of course, they had everyone sign a card saying they wouldn't say anything about it on the internet, but I don't believe in stifling free speech. Besides, the studio shouldn't mind if I give a good review, right?
Along with Eddie Murphy, the cast includes Jeff Goldblum, Kelly Preston, Jon Cryer, and Robert Loggia. There's also several cameos, including an absolutely hilarious one by Morgan Fairchild. The premise of the story is this: Jeff Goldblum is producer of a home shopping channel that has had flat sales for over two years. He's given two weeks to boost ratings or lose his job. He runs into Eddie Murphy, who is on a sort of spiritual quest. Eventually, Murphy goes on the air as a salesman, and tells the truth about the products while still convincing people to buy them and giving the viewers a sort of spiritual fulfillment. My date and I laughed through most of the movie. There were a few spots where some editing could be done, but it would still be a pretty good comedy (B+) if it were released without changing a thing. That reminds me of something I overheard another audience member say. He described the movie as "a comedy that works as a date movie, instead of the other way around." I thought that was a pretty good description. It's good to see Eddie in a good movie again. I realized he did a good job when at the end, I didn't think of him as Eddie Murphy but instead as his character. That says something.
P.S. - The soundtrack was pretty good, too. Unfortunately, they said it was a temporary soundtrack and would be changed before the film was released.
