Okay, settle back into that comfy spot on the couch, maybe imagine the gentle whir of a VCR nearby. We're digging into the dusty corners of the video shelf today for a film that rode the massive wave of one star's charisma but charted a decidedly different, gentler course: Paul Hogan's 1990 venture, Almost an Angel. Fresh off the global phenomenon of Crocodile Dundee (1986) and its sequel, the world was eager for more Hogan charm. What they got wasn't another fish-out-of-water laugh riot, but something… quieter. Something oddly sweet, if perhaps a little baffling at the time.
### G'Day, Guardian Angel?
The premise itself feels like a gentle curveball thrown by Hogan, who not only starred but also penned the screenplay. He plays Terry Dean, a slick, tech-savvy career criminal specializing in cracking safes. During a daring daylight robbery (disguised, rather brilliantly, as Paul Hogan himself – a fun meta-gag!), Terry gets distracted saving a child and is hit by a van. Waking up, he's convinced he died and met God (played with folksy charm by Charlton Heston in a brief cameo), who gave him a second chance as a probationary angel. His mission? Do good deeds. His angelic powers? Well, they seem rather limited, often manifesting as convenient coincidences or simply Terry's own cleverness repurposed for kindness. This sets the stage for a film that blends crime comedy with a touch of whimsical fantasy and gentle drama, a far cry from the outback antics that made Hogan a household name.
### From Dundee to Divinity (Sort Of)
It's impossible to talk about Almost an Angel without acknowledging the massive shadow cast by Crocodile Dundee. Directed by John Cornell, who also helmed Crocodile Dundee II (1988), and co-starring Linda Kozlowski (Hogan's then-wife and Dundee co-star), the film clearly leveraged the team's proven chemistry. Hogan is undeniably watchable as Terry, radiating that same easygoing likability. He just looks comfortable on screen, even when navigating Terry's newfound, slightly clumsy path to righteousness. Kozlowski, as Rose Garner, the compassionate sister running a youth center in a small town Terry drifts into, provides a warm, grounding presence. Their familiar rapport is a definite plus, lending the film an inherent sweetness. Adding grit and skepticism is the ever-reliable Elias Koteas as Steve Garner, Rose's paraplegic brother, who initially sees right through Terry's con-man facade before slowly warming to his apparent sincerity.
Retro Fun Fact: Hogan wrote the script himself, wanting to explore themes beyond the adventurer archetype. It was a personal project, a conscious effort to step away from Mick Dundee. However, audiences and critics weren't quite sure what to make of this gentler, more reflective Hogan. The film, made on a budget of around $6.9 million, only grossed about $9.6 million domestically – a stark contrast to the Dundee blockbusters. It seems people wanted the knife-wielding larrikin, not necessarily the angel-in-training.
### Finding its Gentle Groove
What Almost an Angel lacks in big laughs or thrilling action, it attempts to make up for with heart. Terry’s journey from cynical crook to tentative do-gooder is played with sincerity. His methods are often unconventional – using his safe-cracking skills to return stolen goods or subtly manipulating situations for positive outcomes. There’s a certain charm to seeing his criminal expertise awkwardly bent towards benevolence. The film doesn't aim for theological depth; its concept of angels and divine intervention is played lightly, almost like a fable. It operates on a kind of low-key, quirky logic that asks the audience to just go along with it.
The pacing is definitely more leisurely than many early 90s comedies. It meanders through small-town life, focusing on character interactions and Terry's gradual transformation rather than piling on gags or set pieces. For some viewers back then, accustomed to the faster pace of action-comedies, this might have felt slow. I remember renting this from the local video store, perhaps expecting Dundee 3: Heavenly Hijinks, and being slightly perplexed by its gentle, almost melancholic tone at times. Yet, there's an undeniable warmth to its depiction of community and second chances. The score by Maurice Jarre (composer for Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago) adds a touch of class, underscoring the film's more tender moments without becoming overly saccharine.
Another Retro Tidbit: While the film wasn't a box office smash, its unique premise and Hogan's star power likely made it a reasonably familiar sight on VHS rental shelves for a while. It became one of those "Oh yeah, I remember that one!" titles – perhaps rented on a quiet Tuesday night when the big hits were already checked out. It found a second life, albeit a quiet one, in the home video market.
### Does This Angel Still Earn Its Wings?
Watching Almost an Angel today is an interesting experience. Its earnestness feels slightly out of step with modern cynicism, which can be both a weakness and a strength. The plot is predictable, and the blend of crime and fantasy doesn't always mesh perfectly. Yet, there’s an undeniable sweetness and a certain nostalgic comfort in its straightforward storytelling and Hogan's effortless charm. It feels like a film made with good intentions, even if the execution is a bit uneven. It lacks the iconic punch of Dundee, but maybe that’s okay. It aimed for something different – a gentler smile rather than a belly laugh.
It captures a specific moment when a global superstar tried to leverage his fame for a more personal, character-driven story. While it didn't set the box office alight or redefine genres, it remains a curious and often endearing footnote in Paul Hogan's career. It’s the kind of film you might rediscover with a fond, slightly surprised smile, remembering a time when movie stars could take these kinds of gentle detours.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: The film earns points for its undeniable heart, Hogan's inherent likability, the pleasant chemistry with Kozlowski, and its gentle, unique premise. It loses points for its leisurely pace, sometimes uneven tone, and lack of truly memorable moments or strong comedic payoff compared to its star's bigger hits. It's a pleasant enough watch, but ultimately feels a bit slight and underdeveloped.
Final Thought: Almost an Angel might not have soared, but it floats gently in the memory banks – a soft-hearted curiosity from the tail end of the Hogan phenomenon, best enjoyed with modest expectations and a warm cup of cocoa.