Monsieur Destinée

The stage curtains open ...

"Mr. Destiny" is a modern day fairytale that arguably catches James Belushi at the height of his popularity in cinema. He had just finished "Taking Care of Business" and was about to be in "Curly Sue", both of which are great movies. In this film, however, he stars alongside other notable actors such as Michael Caine, Linda Hamilton, and Jon Lovitz in a fun, "feel good", comedy that still holds up well today.

It is Larry Burrows's 35th birthday, and as he explains it, it was the strangest day of his life. Things are off to a rough start - he isn't able to have his Wheaties for breakfast, there is no coffee when he gets to work, he gets into trouble with his boss which leads to him losing his job, and then his car breaks down ... again. All of this is going on while he is feeling melancholy about a championship baseball game he could've won when he was a youth ... the outcome of which he is convinced, would've changed his life for the better. But, when he meets Mike the bartender, he is given a chance to see what that life would've been like.

It's obvious to see that this movie drew its inspiration from the 1946 classic, "It's A Wonderful Life" - only in that film, our main character got to see what life would've been like if he hadn't been born at all. Whereas, this 1990 film explores the ever persistent question of "What if?". A question that the Nicolas Cage movie, "The Family Man", would address later on in 2000 (another fine movie). We learn that with each outcome, there is always the bad with the good.

I loved this movie. There is an undeniable warmth and charm to it's underlying story as Larry goes through a series of mishaps and sometimes dramatic events to realize that what he had wasn't so bad. In fact, it was a great life. It gave us a nice "Wizard of Oz" ending ("I missed you all so much!) that will leave you smiling and satisfied. "Mr. Destiny" is time well spent and a film I would recommend without hesitation at 8 stars out of 10.

Entertaining Jim Belushi vehicle, a modern cockeyed version of It's A Wonderful Life. Michael Caine plays a sort-of angel who lets Belush see what life would have been like if he had "made it big". Jim is at his best with a good story and supporting cast; seems like real chemistry between him and Hamilton. Not an Oscar contender but good warm-hearted fun.

This movie is one of my favorites because it makes me think of all the choices I have made and how my life would change if my choices had been different. It plays right into the " Multiple Universe " theory.

The only thing that doesn't ring true is how Larry Burrows ( James Belushi)has such a hard time understanding what is going on, that everything has changed.

I admit I have a weakness for alternate history stories, from ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE to GROUNDHOG DAY to 12:01. Among those greats is this little gem. It's pretty difficult to get through MR. DESTINY without giving a nod of appreciation to each and every cast member, from the goodhearted James Belushi to the murderous Courtney Cox. This movie lacks the gravitas and scale to make it a great film, but it's a fine cheer-up on a rainy afternoon. It's also a great rental for an inexpensive date.

Belushi plays an average Joe whose bored with the simple life and his uneventful existence. Convinced that his life would have turned out better had he made a home run instead of a miss in a ball game in his high school years, he gets the chance to see how his life would have turned out had he hit that ball. And what a difference it did make.

A simple and charming little sleeper, Mr. Destiny plays it's It's a Wonderful Life scenario in good fashion. James Belushi gives an endearing performance and manages to keep his cool throughout. Linda Hamilton and Michael Caine give good support and an array of familiar faces (Rene Russo, Jon Lovitz, Courtney Cox, Hart Bochner) add to the pleasure. Film is overall free of slapstick humor and plays it straight and it does have some very humorous moments. And a good message as well.

On the whole Mr. Destiny delights undemanding viewers who could do a lot worse than this film.