Is Michael Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Michael is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 105 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Michael Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1996, Michael emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Drama, Fantasy domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Tabloid reporters are sent by their editor to investigate after the paper recieves a letter from a woman claiming an angel is living with her. Unlike standard genre fare, Michael attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Michael features a noteworthy lineup led by John Travolta . Supported by the likes of Andie MacDowell and William Hurt , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Michael (1996) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Michael Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Michael is a Comedy, Drama, Fantasy film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Tabloid reporters are sent by their editor to investigate after the paper recieves a letter from a woman claiming an angel is living with her. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together running gags and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Michael Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Michael attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Michael reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Michael?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Michael Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $119.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Michael Budget
The estimated production budget for Michael is $20.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of Michael
- John Travolta – Michael
- Andie MacDowell – Dorothy Winters
- William Hurt – Frank Quinlan
- Bob Hoskins – Vartan Malt
- Robert Pastorelli – Huey Driscoll
Top Highlights
John TravoltaMichael
Andie MacDowellDorothy Winters
William HurtFrank Quinlan
Bob HoskinsVartan Malt
Robert PastorelliHuey Driscoll
Jean StapletonPansy Milbank
Teri GarrJudge Esther Newberg
Wallace LanghamBruce Craddock
Joey Lauren AdamsAnita
Carla GuginoBride
Where to Watch Michael Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoParents Guide & Age Rating
Michael is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.7/10, and global collection metrics, Michael stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1996 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Michael movie hit or flop?
Michael has received mixed reviews with a 5.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Michael worth watching?
Michael is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Drama, Fantasy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Michael online?
Michael may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How Michael Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Michael
***Testifies to the JOY of living itself*** Michael, excellently portrayed by John Travolta, is an unorthodox Archangel enjoying his last mission (vacation?) to Earth. A supermarket tabloid from Chicago sends a team to Iowa to get a story and pictures; after discovering that he's a real angel they naturally want to bring him back to the big city. What works best is that the story is essentially a fun-spirited road movie. William Hurt, Andie MacDowell and Robert Pastorelli have an exceptional time meeting Michael and trying to escort him back to Chicago. Michael acts like a tourist having the time of his life, humorously wanting to see those silly little 'attractions' dispersed across the countryside (e.g. "the world's biggest non-stick frying pan," etc.) -- you know, the ones most of us adults roll our eyes at. Lots of fun things and miracles take place along the way. What struck me the most about Michael (the angel) is that he has a genuine spirit of JOY. The simple joy-of-living-itself is all over him; and this has a phenomenal impact on the people around him. It's something most of us could learn from Michael. The film has loads of laughs and, surprisingly, even some profundities. The film runs 105 minutes and was shot in Texas, Iowa and Chicago. GRADE: A
Andie MacDowell was once the most adorable person in Hollywood wasn't she? And I mean that as it utterly charming. And the same goes for her performance here, she turns up the charm and does her best to sell the role. But, unfortunately, Travolta (fresh from his Pulp Fiction rebirth) is playing his Vincent Vega role in the comedy and is entirely out of place throughout it. Really, if you are a Travolta fan you should just watch Pulp Fiction, it's basically him doing the same thing in a film where it works and feels appropriate. Here, well, here you just have Andie MacDowell attempting to charm the film into a success, while Travolta still thinks he's working with QT.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
