I went into this film expecting pure schlock... and it delivered in that area. From chasing the angel around the table to the "guy walk" all the way through the movie, from the oogie-oogie to the oy-oy (you just have to see the flick to understand) there was no schlock opportunity missed.
But that's okay. Because in addition to that this film presented some very unexpected emotional moments as well as being a good lesson in ethics and figuring out what matters and what doesn't. There were heart-clencher and tear-jerker moments and even once (just once) when they got an actual laugh out of me. That was more than I expected.
Unfortunately, if I'm going to be honest I can only rate it 6 stars. That is admirably above my 5-star "just mediocre" score... which gives it credit for delivering more than expected. But there were three major flaws: 1) corny 2) highly predictable and 3) sloppy no-effort ending. I can forgive the corn and predictability, but not a sloppy ending. It's like the writers and director got lazy and decided to just drop the story in the audiences lap. Without spoilers, the final plot concept has no sensible reason nor any forecasting throughout the film. The director drops it on us like a bomb... and that's how it hits. It is writer and director stupidity at its worst-- sheer laziness. "Okay folks, we hit our 90 minute mark. That's a wrap!"
This was like a Disney after-school movie with a little more heart thrown in and for a more adult audience. If it had a better, more sensible ending I'd have no problem giving it a good, solid 7 stars. But the ending stunk and cost them in this review. Had the rest of the film been less enjoyable it could have cost them a lot more, but I actually enjoyed the film. In the end game, that's about as good as one can say about any kind of entertainment.
