Undercover Angel

Undercover Angel (2017) Amazon Prime/UP Faith & Family

Katherine Isabelle and Shawn Roberts star in this romantic fantasy. Isabelle plays Robin, a single mom whose world-traveling ex- is a very juvenile musician who is barely involved in the life of their daughter, Sophie (Lilah Fitzgerald). Roberts plays Henry, who has been assigned as Robin and Sophie's guardian angel. He is brand new to this job, and his boss, head of the guardian angel department (Julian Christopher), is Carl. Carl has his doubts about Henry, and is stern about following the rules and not deviating.

Well, Henry, newbie or not, is a caring guardian angel--one assumes it comes with the job, and once he finds that Robin is hiring contractors to help fix up her house, he puts himself in place to be hired. This will prove humorous, as Henry isn't exactly a skilled contractor.

Meanwhile, Robin makes several trips to the hardware store for everything from light bulbs to paint, and this sets up a side story involving Izzy (Britt Irvin) and her boss Todd (Matthew MacCaull). Izzy has a thing for Todd, while Todd is something of a stick-in-the-mud and doesn't get Izzy's carefree character at all. Over time, Robin and Izzy become friends and "romance confidants."

Once Henry gets himself hired by Robin, he begins learning how to be a handyman. One of his first failings is when an outdoor faucet he had worked on goes off when no one is around, and drowns neighbor Peggy's (Linda Sorensen) beloved flower beds. This opens up a chance for Robin and Peggy--once Robin fires Henry (yep) at Peggy's behest--to get to know one another.

Henry does get rehired once Peggy finds out how much he is needed by Robin--and once Peggy finds out Robin is really a nice neighbor. And Sophie and Henry share a secret at this point as well.

So--Henry gets to know Sophie better, initially by playing soccer with her in the yard. He realizes how lonely she is, and of course he feels a responsibility for her as well as Robin. Once rehired, Robin and Henry also get to know one another better.

That is the basic set-up for the story. There is quite a lot more to story, with everyone involved, including Carl, Henry's boss, but to say more would give too much away. I can say that all the actors here do a fine job, and the story is well done. I could tell you more about Robin and Henry, but don't jump to conclusions. Robin is trying to start dating again, and has to meet a couple of other guys before anything can happen in that area.

This is an interesting movie. It's fun, it's warm, the characters are compelling, and the relationships are interesting. If you get a chance to see it, I suspect you'll really enjoy it.

This is one of the most wholesome films I've ever seen. The plot is refreshingly original and the acting and script are superb, full of comedic one liners. Roberts as Henry the guardian angel is extraordinarily charming and innocent, his lines are really funny, and he develops a plausible, naive yet authentic chemistry with Robin. Sophie is a truly sweet and precocious daughter who has just the right emotional bond with her mom and Henry. The subplot between Todd and Izzy adds depth to the main plot, and Mrs. Peterson provides the right amount of drama to offset the romantic and comedic sides of the main characters. And Henry's boss Carl is outstanding with a particularly hilarious scene toward the movie's ending. The film makes one yearn for a guardian angel of one's own, especially one as kind and charming as Henry.

The angel helping a human with an obvious outcome is not new in rom/coms. And this is about what you'd expect given an angel with no experience or talent learning to be a handy man.

He breaks all the rules. His affection builds for both mom and daughter (appropriately of course). He's a little goofy and a tad clumsy but learns. Shawn Roberts connects with both Katharine Isabelle as the mom, and Britt Irvin as the daughter. Katharine Isabelle has her moments of being carefree, but also more withdrawn moments. Britt Irvin does a good job.

Meanwhile, something is going on with boss and employee at the hardware store. She is a little crazy and he is very rule oriented and of course she wants to see him loosen up.

It is what it is with some modest humor and predictable story. I thought it was worth a view.