Der Guru

Maybe I'm a little off kilter, but I liked "Holy Man." It is an oft-told tale of shunning materialism for deeper more fulfilling things such as love, sharing, and nature.

Eddie Murphy plays G, a spiritual man in simple garb who was performing a pedal pilgrimage through America when he happened upon Ricky (Jeff Goldblum) and Kate (Kelly Preston). Ricky and Kate are two execs for the struggling Good Buy Shopping Network (a fictitious QVC). When Ricky gives G shelter for a spell he decides to use G on the GBSN to help sales. The ploy works fabulously, but is it the right thing to do?

"Holy Man" isn't going to have you falling over with laughter as you'd expect with Eddie Murphy. In fact, I would normally expect non-stop laughs with Murphy and Goldblum together, but this is not that kind of movie. It is more of a sensitive piece aimed at touching people's hearts. I can see by the ratings that it didn't quite do that. I didn't find it particularly moving myself, but I found it enjoyable for being simple and uncomplicated.

This movie had everything in it. From laughter, to deep thoughts. I thought it was an excellent movie and I absolutely loved that story with the starfish on the beach on a stormy day. It kinda makes you look at life a little different..

9* out of 10... Extremely funny movie, go see it..

On the face of it, this romantic comedy is nothing special.

But for some reason, I'm just really pleased by this film. There is a thematic cleverness tying together all the humor, and the inevitable and obvious conclusion ends up being sweet and engaging anyhow.

I hate films that get melodramatic and sappy -- Holy Man skirted the edges but didn't fall into that trap. There aren't snappy comebacks and put downs like in Beverly Hills Cop, but there is some deep thinking. I wouldn't be surprised if for the right people this movie really meant something to their lives. Sort of like, but not as good as Groundhog Day.

Who should see this film:

-- romantic comedy lovers (and drag your spouse along)

-- generic comedy likers who can live without high action if there's a little philosophy

-- if you're not "in with the young crowd" and think Eddy Murphy flicks are too silly and "hip", this one is different

I'll give this one a 7 out of 10.

Jeff Goldblum is a shopping TV advertising producer whose sales have been falling. Kate Newell is a new hire who poses a threat. Together by chance they meet a Eddie Murphy, a drifter, who shakes up their lives and becomes a hero to the TV audience.

Some very funny moments, taking a good few sideways hits at the TV shopping phenomena and audiences, the film also has a romantic interest and a happy ending.

I enjoyed it, but it's only worth watching once, maybe twice for fans of Murphy or Goldblum.

A brilliant film with loads of excellent one liners to titillate. Eddie Murphy plays a fab part as G, you're never quite sure if he is as innocent as he makes out! Is he a fraud or not? Jeff Goldblum is also excellent as "Robert Ricky" the cynical shopping channel executive. Watching how "conformists" react to an alternative lifestyle provides many laughs - watch out for the urineade scene. Every time this film is on, I find myself settling down to watch just a few minutes, then of course I end up watching it all. I have a feeling it has already joined Wayne's World as one of of those films where you lie in wait for your favourite scenes, then recite them! Definitely well worth watching especially if you have a quirky sense of humour. Fab.