Mr. Destiny

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.

The basic ideas in "Mr. Destiny" shouldn't surprise anyone watching. After all, similar plots have appeared on many television shows and movies, such as "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Family Man". So there are no surprises here. Now this isn't really a huge complaint...the film is still enjoyable and it's a nice turn off your brain and enjoy sort of story.

The story begins long ago. Larry (Jim Belushi) is playing the championship game and strikes out....and years later, he STILL blames the direction of his life on this one incident. And, his secret wish is granted when a mysterious and magical guy (Michael Caine) appears and tells him that the past has been changed....he DID hit that ball and won the championship. Now, however, his life is so very different, as he lives in a huge mansion, married the boss' daughter, has a great classic car collection and much more. But what he doesn't have are his old friends and wife....and he misses that more than he possibly could have imagined.

The film is pleasant but also has one problem which impacted how much I enjoyed it.... Jim Belushi's character is simply too dumb at times. While he knows his life is completely different, he often thinks and acts as if it's his same old life....and ends up alienating a lot of people in the process. It really defies common sense when Larry acts this way...as if he really hasn't any concept of change. Why would he trust the man who he knew in his previous life if a devious Satan? Why would he cheat on his new wife when she adores him and treats him like a king? Why would he not try to explain away how oddly he's acting?! It's still enjoyable...but it doesn't make a lot of sense at times.

Belushi at his most ingratiating and Courtney Cox before Friends has a small role. I often think Belushi is under-used in Hollywood and this film role is one of his best. For those of you who watch his TV show, this is a very different and likable character. The movie itself is not earth shattering, nor is the message new but rather it is sweet and endearing. The supporting cast of familiar faces and unfamiliar names is a perfect balance although Lovitz's whining can get tiresome, and Michael Caine's charming spiritual guide has a slightly sinister if not well-meaning edge. Hamilton, as Belushi's wife is unfortunately two-dimensional and one wonders why he married her. In addition, Renee Russo is wasted and not terribly convincing at the "prom queen" who got away. Nevertheless, a nice way to spend two hours.

Living the part of your life you wished were better is something that many of us have wished we could do, but for Larry Burrows, it becomes reality in "Mr. Destiny."

Jim Belushi definitely played his best part in this well-done film about second chances. The character of Larry Burrows is believable and is like many blue-collar workers in America. Burrows is the kind of person that lets everyone go ahead of him, with out trying to get ahead himself.

The chemistry between Belushi and Linda Hamilton as Ellen is very charming, something that many loving couples have. Michael Caine was also superb as Mike, who actually creeped me out the first time I saw this, which was at least 10 years ago. It was amazing to see how contrasted his normal life was as opposed to his "rich life." People liked him in his ordinary life, but he was feared and despised in his "rich life."

In my opinion, this film teaches a very important lesson: Life is what you make of it, and one should be thankful of what they have, and what helped them get there. Destiny is what shapes us, and good things will definitely come our way.

RATING: ****1/2 out of 5. Excellent!:)

Ok, so it borrows a little from "It's a Wonderful Life", but that was 44 years prior to this film, so why not a new attempt. Belushi is having a rotten 35th birthday. He didn't get his Wheaties, his coffee, and has lost his job. The capper is when his self described "big blue piece of sh**" car breaks down at the end of the day. He heads into an empty bar to call for a tow. While waiting, he's recognized by the bartender (Caine) as the kid who lost the town's championship baseball game 20 years earlier. This gets him to thinking how life would've been if he had won the game. He finds out when, unbeknownst to him, Caine serves up a motion potion in a glass that gives him a mansion, the prom queen (Russo) as his wife, and makes him president of the sporting goods company he's been canned from. Caine later reveals himself as the one who's responsible for this change, but Belushi is not entirely on board. He never fully adjusts, and in a plot development that doesn't kill the movie but is still odd, he tries to court his wife (Hamilton) from his real life, who is now married to someone else. The good move is that they don't spend too much time on it, as basically they rip of "Ghost", with Belushi constantly telling Hamilton things only she could know. It also brings in a hokey dramatic element, as two of his lovers kevetch in the shadows, new wife Russo, and his unbalanced lover Cox. But the keys to the film are the somewhat lengthy beginning, and cheery end. Also good work from the big and recognizable cast, as Belushi is very likable, VERY attractive ladies chosen, and Caine is perfectly easy going as the title guy. Strange that this was Belushi's second film of 1990 dealing with him getting an alternative lifestyle of riches, which was found in "Taking Care of Business". Though similar, both films are on the same level of laughs provided. So check this out for a fun exploration of "what if?"