Synopsis

A struggling New York minister becomes consumed by plans to save his financially troubled church and neglects his wife and young son. In response to his prayers, Dudley, an angel, arrives to help restore the congregation and reunite the family. As Dudley's presence changes their lives, the preacher must confront his priorities, while Julia Biggs rediscovers feelings long buried beneath years of disappointment.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is a contemporary reworking of The Bishop's Wife, the 1947 Christmas classic based on Robert Nathan's novel.

• Whitney Houston co-produced the accompanying soundtrack, which blends traditional gospel performances with newly recorded material. It became the best-selling gospel album of all time, with reported worldwide sales of more than 6 million copies.

• Houston's performance of "Joy to the World" helped make the song one of the soundtrack's signature musical moments. The album also includes the single "I Believe in You and Me."

• Hans Zimmer received an Academy Award nomination for Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score.

• Filming took place in and around Newark and Paterson, New Jersey, as well as locations in New York City and Tarrytown, New York.

• Most of the church scenes were filmed at Trinity United Methodist Church in Newark. The production modified the building to resemble a Baptist church, and the rental income helped fund improvements including a new boiler and ventilation system.

• The film was released in the United States on December 13, 1996, and earned approximately $48.1 million at the domestic box office.