This was always one of my favorite romantic comedies. It's a fairly unique story, well done in terms of writing, and well-played by the key actors.
I do want to say at the beginning that the Blu-Ray edition of this film, as produced by RLJEntertainment is NOT Blu-Ray quality. It's a very average DVD print. That's not to say its quality makes the movie un-enjoyable, but the sharpness is very lacking.
Here, Cybill Shepherd is married to Christopher McDonald in a very happy marriage. He is killed because he learns that a powerful judge is taking bribes from a mobster. Ryan O'Neal is the best friend of both Cybill and Christopher, and is secretly in love with Cybill himself. After his death, McDonald is reincarnated, but an angel forgets to make him forget his previous life, and -- now as Robert Downey, Jr., he falls in love with his former wife (Cybill), but also in love with his own daughter. Meanwhile, Ryan continues to care for Cybill and her daughter, though he is deprived of Cyvill's love. Of course, Downey does begin remembering his former life, and finally convinces Cybill and Ryan who he really is...although the daughter never learns that. In the climax, the memory of the crooked judge returns and Downey provides the photographic evidence needed to convict him. And of course, they all (except the judge) live happily ever after -- Ryan with Cybill and Downey with the daughter (but that's okay, his memory and soul have finally been erased).
This was the Robert Downey, Jr. that I loved, back when we (at least) thought he was a young Cary Grant in comedy-romance films like this one. Downey could handle such roles in a way that few such actors could. Of course, his years in embarrassing drug addiction ruined that ability...not as an actor, but as being believable when a sense of naivety was required for a part. This film was Downey at his peak in terms of romantic comedies. He's actually more successful now in totally different genres, and can no longer appear in films such as this one. A shame.
Ryan O'Neal was really good here. I'm not much of a fan, but every once in a while O'Neal would come up with role where he was perfect. This is one. Similarly, Cybill Shepherd was never much on my radar, but she shines in this film. Mary Stuart Masterson (as the daughter) is equally excellent here; but it seems as if she never continued that early promise. Christopher McDonald's career also went in a different direction than one might have expected after viewing this film. He's very good here, and physical similarities (at least at the time) between him and Downey make this work.
The one thing that people often bring up about this film is the Robert Downey's character ends up in love with his own daughter. Yes...but only after an angel wipes out his memory of a previous life. I guess it just depends on how you want to think of this and whether you want to let it bother you.
I give this film a very strong "7", but I am disappointed in the Blu-Ray version.
I do want to say at the beginning that the Blu-Ray edition of this film, as produced by RLJEntertainment is NOT Blu-Ray quality. It's a very average DVD print. That's not to say its quality makes the movie un-enjoyable, but the sharpness is very lacking.
Here, Cybill Shepherd is married to Christopher McDonald in a very happy marriage. He is killed because he learns that a powerful judge is taking bribes from a mobster. Ryan O'Neal is the best friend of both Cybill and Christopher, and is secretly in love with Cybill himself. After his death, McDonald is reincarnated, but an angel forgets to make him forget his previous life, and -- now as Robert Downey, Jr., he falls in love with his former wife (Cybill), but also in love with his own daughter. Meanwhile, Ryan continues to care for Cybill and her daughter, though he is deprived of Cyvill's love. Of course, Downey does begin remembering his former life, and finally convinces Cybill and Ryan who he really is...although the daughter never learns that. In the climax, the memory of the crooked judge returns and Downey provides the photographic evidence needed to convict him. And of course, they all (except the judge) live happily ever after -- Ryan with Cybill and Downey with the daughter (but that's okay, his memory and soul have finally been erased).
This was the Robert Downey, Jr. that I loved, back when we (at least) thought he was a young Cary Grant in comedy-romance films like this one. Downey could handle such roles in a way that few such actors could. Of course, his years in embarrassing drug addiction ruined that ability...not as an actor, but as being believable when a sense of naivety was required for a part. This film was Downey at his peak in terms of romantic comedies. He's actually more successful now in totally different genres, and can no longer appear in films such as this one. A shame.
Ryan O'Neal was really good here. I'm not much of a fan, but every once in a while O'Neal would come up with role where he was perfect. This is one. Similarly, Cybill Shepherd was never much on my radar, but she shines in this film. Mary Stuart Masterson (as the daughter) is equally excellent here; but it seems as if she never continued that early promise. Christopher McDonald's career also went in a different direction than one might have expected after viewing this film. He's very good here, and physical similarities (at least at the time) between him and Downey make this work.
The one thing that people often bring up about this film is the Robert Downey's character ends up in love with his own daughter. Yes...but only after an angel wipes out his memory of a previous life. I guess it just depends on how you want to think of this and whether you want to let it bother you.
I give this film a very strong "7", but I am disappointed in the Blu-Ray version.