Almost an Angel (1990) Online

Terry Dean is an exceptional career criminal, after his release from prison he is hit by a car whilst saving a young boy. He awakes in what appears to be a heavenly place, and much to his surprise he is visited by a deity and told that he is on probation, he is in short...almost an angel.

Paul Hogan will forever be known as the bloke from Crocodile Dundee, a highly efficient fish out of water comedy that became a huge hit. However, the sequels and his other subsequent film's are either roundly ignored or highly frowned upon. That's a shame because Almost An Angel is a very engaging comedy, the sort of picture that stands up like a Capraesque piece for the 90s. It's the sort of fable that cheers one up when the blues draw in and then turn into a blackly dark cloud, yes it be true, old craggy faced Paul Hogan has the gift of comedy. True enough the doses of sentiment are at times like a treacle itch to be scratched, but is that a bad thing? Watching a street wise criminal turning his less than honourable skills into a thing of goodness?

The film has many visual gags to go with the ream of religious ones that flow within the piece, be it Hogan attempting to fly or a quiet word about Elvis, Almost An Angel delights if one accepts the nature of the beast. Linda Kozlowski again teams up with Hogan (after the earlier Crocodile Dundee pairing), here she has very little to do but she slots in very nicely, even if a pre-end credits sequence does her and everyone else no favours at all. The best actor on show is the criminally undervalued Elias Koteas, playing the wheelchair bound Steve Garner, he exudes a believability factor that many modern day actors can learn from, where, the ability to act with just your face is high art if it's done correctly. Check out both the first and last scenes that Koteas shares with Hogan, great stuff that seems to have been forgotten due to the disdain shown for this particular film.

I rate it 7/10 because it hits my spot when I need a pick me up, perhaps that is too high in this age where comedy is the hardest genre to succeed in? But don't believe the low rating here on this site, it's a delightful little comedy that is far from perfect, but hell! It's a heavenly piece knowingly incorporating the serious side of religious beliefs.

Just like Crocodile Dundee this is a humor-packed film from beginning to end. Paul Hogan is as charming and charismatic as ever and the jokes are at five minute-intervals, enough to make it a somewhat serious (and sad) film.I am glad I stumbled across this film, as I think you will be.

Paul Hogan plays a criminal who steps out in front of traffic to save a child, and becomes an Angel... almost. He says he's on probation, sorta... but what are you to believe? Is he nuts? Hmmm. Maybe. The humor and light-sided religiousness makes this film a delight.

Don't worry about being converted or anything, this is an open-ended movie with morals, granted, but also with that special touch of human bonding, and what it means to love others.

Hogan's writing, directing, and acting career spans just 6 films that I know of, and this is a lesser known one... I had the feeling at the end that it was looking for a sequel, or a TV series. No such luck.

Magical, humorous, charming, disarming, alarming, and inspiring... see it at least once.

A lot of people will watch this movie and shrug it off as a simple comedy or even say that it isn't that great, but the fact is this movie does have some new and unique parts to it. The numero uno of these is the way Hogan's character Terry interacts with the handicap Steve. The lines in the bar are excellent to explaining how one should treat someone with a handicap. But they just don't stop there, they continue to show this throughout the rest of the movie. The scenes with Terry & Steve are priceless at times. But this movie has a good deal of tongue in cheek humor as well. Taking a convict and making him an angel of mercy was quite hilarious, like when he robs the fast food restaraunt to feed the poor and especially the scene where he talks with Charlton Heston as God. And of course the very convincing impersonations of Willie Nelson and Rod Stewart are classic. I especially love the scene where the police are interviewing the bank tellers after the robbery. The movie cleverly uses plays on words like "born again Christian" and periodically makes fun of itself, all of which work. The ending was both surprising and touching, especially since the whole movie you aren't sure if Terry had a dream or whether he really was sent back. All in all I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this film. It's too bad the world didn't feel the same way about this movie.

I happened upon this movie just channel surfing and was just floored. Great movie from start to finish. Elias Koteas gives an awesome performance that just shows once again how he is one of the most overlooked actors in Hollywood. But what really caught me was the story and dialogue. This movie was wonderfully written. I would've never guessed Hogan had it in him. Enjoyable movie and I strongly recommend it. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

One of the most overlooked performances in years goes to Elias Koteas as the paraplegic who introduces the 'born again' Hogan into the story of a care centre under threat of closure. It is sensitive and touching without being over sentimental or condescending.

This shows a hidden quality in Hogan's writing that Hollywood missed in his post-Crocodile Dundee movies, and is also in evidence in Lightning Jack and the part of Cuba Gooding Jnr. This movie may not have the charm of Dundee, but the comedy is there and it is certainly more thought provoking about our attitudes to the disabled.

A very good movie.

This is one of the best movies, I've seen it has all the essentials excellent moral plot, humor, great acting. I's like to see more films follow this fine example of what it take to make a film great. Now all this comes from someone who disliked the crocodile Dundee movies, so in order for me to go to these lengths to complement this film, and it's fine plot and acting attest to how strong and impact this film had on me. I found that the way humor was combined with strong moral content, and the way all the characters are portrayed, as being human with many character flaws, but doing the right thing when it came down to it. Among my most favorite scenes were the jail release when he terry Dean (Hogan) hits the switch and makes his parting, as well as the part where he has the cross lit for the benefit of a possible benefactor sure made for some entertaining viewing. A must see.

An entertaining story of a convict who goes straight, well almost. The opening scenes set the pace and style. And throughout the film it just gets better and better. Rated at PG this film gives me no doubts about my kids seeing it. They did, they laughed and they cried and then laughed some more. This has to one of the most under-rated films starring Paul Hogan. It is certainly one of the best he has written. The film is a good mixture of story and humour and any fan of Paul Hogan should enjoy this film. I had to get my copy from ebay because they have stopped producing it. As somebody else says 'come on do it on DVD'. And after you have seen it, I think you will agree it is worthy of a sequel.

I have completely enjoyed every single movie that Paul Hogan was in. He is a comic genius. I find it unbelievable that this particular movie is not available on DVD. His movies are not slap stick or like anything else I've seen. The things his characters do is just incredibly funny. Even years later when I remember something he did I can't help but laugh. This particular movie was funny as well as heartwarming. When he picked the fight with the guy in the wheel chair I thought I would bust a gut. But, he was just trying to prove a point. When he was shot with the gun loaded with blanks you start to worry, will he do something stupid and end up dead, or is he really an angel. My all time Hogan favorite. It has everything, romance, comedy, and will bring tears to tour eyes. I can't wait to find this movie on DVD.

Someone else - who apparently didn't stay to the end of the film - has utterly slated "Almost an Angel". I, on the other hand, saw it to the end, and loved it. Terry Dean (Paul Hogan) is a small-time crook and electronics wizard who, as soon as he's let out of prison, proceeds to plan a bank robbery. But the best-laid plans... In this case, he gets beaten to it by an armed gang. And Terry takes a bullet for a child.

In hospital, an experience convinces him that he has become an angel. On probation. (The viewer is left guessing until close to the very end whether it was merely a delirious near-death experience, or whether it was more.) Charlton Heston makes an excellent God-figure: and probation is a term that Terry understands.

So, believing that he's an angel on probation, Terry is sent back to make a difference... and has to work out what sort of things "The Boss" approves of... Robbery? Maybe not. But what about robbery to feed the poor and hungry?

We follow Terry as he learns - at times hilariously, at times deeply touchingly - to fulfil the terms of his probation... This is a tale about redemption - not merely Terry's, but those people with whom he becomes involved. It's a story about death, but most importantly, about life. It's the story about a man's relationship with "the Boss", and what faith is about.

The film contains action, comedy, cops and robbers, tragedy and victory... No, it probably doesn't rank as One Of Ye Greatest Films In History. But it is a funny, touching, heart-warming, beautiful film, and I only wish that it were available somewhere on DVD. For personal preference... I score it a 10 out 10. And am keeping my fingers crossed that SOMEONE will decide to release it on DVD! Please, pretty please!?

Paul Hogan (in ... Angel) has to rate just a tad higher than Jon Voight (in Coming Home) and that says a lot about a Stars ability to credibly emote and indulge in meaning-full social intercourse.

Folks with disabilities want to be treated just like ... folks. Period! And Hogan's scene in the pub where he was going to "fight" the paraplegic was so totally incredible!

Why am I so enthusiastic about this film? I have lived with a disability since 1949, and used a wheelchair since 1957.

Love to contact Hogan and have him "Chat" about his take on disability ... in the real. I'm sure he'd come across just like a HERO!

I remember this playing at the cinema, and thinking this would fall below my expectations, so I should steer clear of it. Although it's not as good as the original Crocodile Dundee, but remember that was Crocodile Dundee, out of curiosity, and an avid fascination, which sometimes can bring, what you pretty well imagined the quality of the movie to be like, I decided to see it, as my brother had it on a preview cassette, alongside King Ralph. I must say I was quite taken aback. Here's a feel good movie for the whole family, that has fun in it's story, it's premise which has been done in many other films, but not with such smart ideas. Even Charlton Heston gets in on the act in a dream sequence that finds Hoges in Heaven, after performing a brave act. Ex con, and master thief, Terry Dean, (Hogan) who has a near death experience, when thinking real bullets went through him and didn't kill him, making him change his ways and become devout, truly thinking he's an angel. They were blanks, fired from the gun of a thug, whose part of a group of robbers, who do over this bank, Hoges was gonna hold up, while dressed in Rod Stewart garb. It's not the first time Hoges has made fun of this music icon too, while he takes pokes at Willie Nelson, also. He crosses paths with an angry young cripple, a younger Elias Koteas, a wild actor whose become one of my favourite stars. His sister is played by Linda Kozlowski, these two latter stars, proving they're more the real actors of the show, while Hoges just lazes back, playing himself, not like Crocodile Dundee, which showed off his real acting. Actually Kozlowski's pretty good in this, I thought, one actress who should of done more movies. There's a lot of underlying messages, too in this movie "Like if you do good in this world, good is what you'll get back". Actor or not, Hoges is what makes the film funny, as if he's put in some of his own script input, which leads you to wonder, while John Cornell has again surprised us, and in another way, brought it to the table, but not as good enough match for the croc. For Hoges fans, that will bring a bit of scattered disappointment to some of that minority and a larger one for others, I imagine.

I have seen this film many times and enjoyed it each time. Although it contains only minimal language concerns, it is best when viewed uncensored and uncut--as are most films. I find the humor that Paul Hogan uses to bring this concept to film takes what sometimes seems familiar story lines and raises them to the wonderfully unique. It has one of those rare mixes of humor, drama, and bittersweet and thought-provoking themes. Hogan provides a consistent character throughout and writes an ending that should be quite satisfying for those who hate the vague, confusing ends so popular with script writers today. Like, Oh God!, I find the movie uplifting with each viewing, as I find Crocodile Dundee's offbeat humor refreshing each time. Regardless of the rating you would give, I am sure you will at least feel the time spent watching this film was worth it.

Once again, the husband-and-wife duo of Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski - team up for a film, as they did in the Crocodile Dundee series.

At face value, this appears to be a fun and appealing family film with the likable Hogan playing an angel. Even though he's a charming "angel" with a good heart and a good sense of humor, this is no Biblical angel, that's for sure. Actually, he's an almost mortally-wounded man who thinks he died and is an angel "on probation." So what you get is the Liberal ideal of what an "angel" would be (see above) but who also uses the Lord's name in vain, cheats and lies - not exactly according to the Book. Of course, part of that is played strictly for laughs.

Overall, it's still what they call a "cute" movie. I guess you could also call it a good "date" movie.

This is definitely my favourite of all of Paul Hogan's films. I remember watching this back when i was younger and i loved it. The whole story about a bank robber who finds his calling in a much different sector of the spectrum made it an entertaining film. The acting is superb by the three main characters which really helps flesh out this story to the point that you really care for the characters. Paul Hogan plays a likable con turned good guy, his real life wife Linda Kozlowski plays a church/charity worker for disadvantaged kids who has a heart of gold and lastly kudos to Elias Koteas whose portrayal of a disabled guy gives the movie the heart and emotion that I must say I didn't expect. All in all almost an angel is a great little movie with some surprises

Paul Hogan (Mr. Croc Dundee himself) is a criminal who dies and is then sent back to earth by God in order to sort of redeem himself. There are a few good scenes and feel-good moments (if contrived), and Hogan (originally offered the title role in "Ghost" along with Bruce Willis, which he sorta remade here) is a likable enough guy to carry a movie.

Silly, contrived, sappy, but good.

Paul Hogan attempts to get some laughs outside of the "Crocodile Dundee" films. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't. His fantasy tale of a dead criminal's spirit (who he portrays) who suddenly begins doing good deeds for people in order to gain the status of "permanent angel" doesn't always work but it's not really a flop. Many of the film's best scenes go to Elias Koteas who portrays a paraplegic befriended by Hogan. The film also features Hogan's "Crocodile Dundee" films costar and real life wife Linda Kozlowski.

Dull little comedy about a small-time crook (Paul Hogan) who gets out of prison and thinks he is an angel after a freak accident. Naturally he justifies everything he does (including criminal activity) by saying that he is one of God's messengers. And of course he falls in love with a woman (real-life wife Linda Kozlowski) and tries to help her wheelchair-bound brother (Elias Koteas, in a wasted role for him). Hogan's financial success with the first two "Crocodile Dundee" films in the late-1980s led to this sappy little sleeping pill. Hogan, who wrote the screenplay, basically does the same routine he did in the series that made him famous. The subject matter and the black comedy here feels forced and uninspired. A dramatic route late with supernatural aspects mixed in is totally out-of-place and even a bit contrived. 2 stars out of 5.

Terry is an electronics wizard and thief. After he is released from jail, he is hit by a car while saving a little girls life.

While in recovery, he dreams that Charlton Heston dressed as God, visits him and tells him he's an Angel, and must start doing good things to make up for his past life.

Not believing it at first, he too becomes convinced. Not having any powers yet, he must use his own experiences and talents to make good things happen......

Back in 1990 this looked like a sure fire hit, getting the guy from Crocodile Dundee, and making him an Angel, but with a dangerous side. The thing is with Hogan is that, if you are of a certain age, your mum was guaranteed to fancy him, so he had a devout fan base.

But as I've realised thanks to education and common sense, you are only as good as the material you are in, and this has to be one of the biggest vanity projects I've ever seen.

Even if Hogan wore a T-Shirt saying 'I'm really that good', it couldn't get any back slappingly obvious.

He works for The Lord, he's a robber but everyone loves him, he helps kids, he makes a mans last few days his greatest, he convinces an old man to help people, basically he's great.

There are a few funny moments, the Rod Stewart bit is a highlight, but Hogan loves himself too much, and it ruins his character.

For die hard Hogan fans only, and your mum.

I'm 36 years old and have been going to the cinema for well over 20 years now. This is the only film I have ever walked out on. I've sat through some crap - but managed to stay until the end. Had I stayed until the end of this I fear I would have killed myself. Paul Hogan is a one-trick pony. Crocodile Dundee was fine for it's time - and it's even aged reasonably well. Croc2 was inevitable - and just about palatable. But IMDb won't allow me to type what I really thought about Almost An Angel in case it offends the readers....

And now because of the 10 line rule I'm forced to sit here and type even more about the wretched film which is causing me to despise it all the more. Unfortunately I cannot score it 0

Terry (Paul Hogan) is a petty thief who is just getting out of prison. Fellow inmates tease him that maybe he should take up bank robbery but he declares he is a new man. Yet, once out in the world, he dons a Willie Nelson disguise and ROBS A BANK. He gets away with it! Emboldened, he tries again as Rod Stewart the robber but is foiled. Rushing out of the lobby, he nevertheless sees a car coming straight at a small boy. Knocking the child out of the way, Terry is struck! Next thing he knows, Terry is in the clouds and God (Charlton Heston) tells him his last action may get him into heaven. BUT BUT BUT, WAIT! God is sending him back to earth to perform acts of kindness as an "angel apprentice". Then, its possible his life on earth may be extended. Landing back on the streets, Terry tries to fly without success. He asks for a sign and spies a truck of Moses the Movers. Hitching a ride, Terry lands in Northern California with a family who does need him. There's wheelchair bound Steve (Elias Koteas) and his sister, Rose (Linda Kozlowski) who are running a clubhouse for disturbed kids. Can Terry redeem himself among these two good people? Okay, I loved Crocodile Dundee and think Hogan has an understated humor that is charming. But, this is no CD my friend! Oh, having Heston as God is a stroke of genius and there are some amusing scenes where Terry tries to reason with a priest about his mission on earth. Koslowzki, too, does a fine turn as Rose. However, the funny spots are few and far between and the movie is a disjointed mess. The blame must fall on Hogan, who wrote it, and a very lame direction. Unless you will sit through anything or are a enthusiastic fan of Hogan, you would be well advised to skip it.

Fresh off the success of the 'Crocodile Dundee' movies where Hogan played a rough tough lovable roguish bushman, Hogan is back going for gold again playing...a rough tough lovable roguish criminal. Only this criminal has changed his ways after a near death situation and he now believes he's an angel on a mission from God, but is he?

Thing about this film that is disappointing is the fact they don't really make the most of the idea. We're never entirely sure if Hogan's character is actually an angel, was his afterlife experience just a dream or not and if he's really invincible, we're led to believe he's a heavenly being through various lucky scrapes. For the whole run time this concept isn't really explored as well as it could have been I think because this character doesn't really do much accept walk out in front of trucks. There are times he puts himself at risk helping others like standing up against some gang members and setting up religious themed tricks but on the whole its all dialog.

Now there's nothing wrong with good dialog, emotional dialog...but this doesn't really have that (Paul Hogan comedy remember), you really do expect there to be more in the shape of visual comedy. Most of the time he's chatting to folk, trying to either con or assist them and of course having to fend off his real time wife Kozlowski. Gee I wonder whose idea it was to cast her in the film. I suppose it is neat to have us the audience unsure as to whether this guy is really an angel or not but this also kinda leads to the movie being really very dull. Like I say nothing really happens that is exciting or remotely interesting other than him beating some guys up once and walking out in front of a truck.

Things become really boring when he meets up with a wheelchair bound Elias Koteas whom he makes friends with. This is the main plot point in the film and its incredibly boring, things were dull before this but dear Lord it gets worse. The movies highlight appears to be a chase sequence between a fat cop and Koteas in his wheelchair...and the fat cop can't catch him...on foot...riiiiiight. They actually do try and make this sequence really intense as Koteas ducks under stuff, turns corners sharply and pumps away to increase his speed...I'm serious here. Plus I really gotta mention how lame of an ending it is for Koteas' character, he bumps into something and ends up fatally stabbing himself in the thigh...laugh out loud!

In the end we actually discover Hogan is an angel...oh spoil...whatever. Its only then that you realise how cool this film could of been with more ghosty spiritual moments like that. Don't get me wrong its a nice ending but it sure took some strength to get there sheesh! The tagline for this movie is 'The guy from down under is working for the man upstairs'...I mean sure its a quirky line but are they really still banking on the fact Hogan is an Aussie?? still pushing and depending on that unimportant geographical detail! Surely they exhausted that with the 'Mick Dundee' movies...we get it, he's an Aussie, cultural differences gag officially milked.

3/10

Third film in the Crocodile Dundee trilogy finds Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee in jail and with an identity crisis--he thinks he's Terry Dean, a thief who uses electronic wizadry to pull off heists. Crocodile Mick's sexy girlfriend Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) also has an identity crisis--she thinks she's Rose Garner, a do-gooder extraordinaire. Like any good romantic fantasy the two are drawn to each knowing within their hearts that they had loved each other before and are meant for each other. Similar to the plot of "Made In Heaven" and the ending to "Heaven Can Wait." Also has a heaven scene like "Heaven Can Wait" but replaces Mr. Jordan with God. Charleton Heston plays God. Paul Hogan plays Crocodile Dundee/Terry Dean/Willie Nelson/Rod Stewart/Popeye the Sailor Man. Crocodile Mick and Sexy Sue never do get their memories back, however I still have fond memories of Sexy Sue in her black swimmy suit in the original Dundee film.