We’re No Angels (released in theaters on Dec. 16, 1989) from director Neil Jordan and legendary playwright David Mamet is a whimsical yet biting comedy that reimagines the classic premise of fugitives masquerading as men of the cloth.
Set against the misty, Depression-era backdrop of a New England border town, the film is a fascinating departure for its stars, trading their usual gritty intensity for a stylized, slapstick-infused exploration of faith, luck, and human decency.
Ned (Robert De Niro) and Jim (Sean Penn) are two small-time convicts suffering under the brutal regime of a sadistic warden in a remote prison.
Their lives take a sudden, chaotic turn when they are forced to participate in the escape of a hardened killer named Bobby (James Russo).
In the ensuing scramble, Ned and Jim find themselves in a picturesque town on the edge of the Canadian border. To avoid detection by the local police and the relentless search parties, they steal the identities of two highly anticipated visiting priests from a prestigious monastery.
The duo is welcomed with open arms by the local clergy, including the unsuspecting Father Abbott (Wallace Shawn). While Ned struggles with his nerves and a hair-trigger temper, Jim discovers an unexpected knack for delivering “spiritual” platitudes that the townspeople find profound.
Their ruse is complicated by Molly (Demi Moore), a cynical, struggling mother who is wary of the “priests” but finds herself drawn to their strange vulnerability.
As the town prepares for a massive religious procession involving a “weeping” statue, Ned and Jim must navigate the suspicions of a local deputy (Bruno Kirby) and encounter a young monk (John C. Reilly) and as Father Levesque (Hoyt Axton).
The film builds to a frantic, rain-soaked climax at the border, where the fake priests must decide if they are truly seeking a physical escape or a spiritual redemption.
Robert De Niro and Sean Penn in We’re No Angels (Photo/Paramount Pictures)
Reception for We’re No Angels
We’re No Angels grossed $2 million on its opening weekend, finishing eighth at the box office. The top film of the week was National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation ($7.2 million on its third weekend).
The film would gross $10.6 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave We’re No Angels three out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
We’re No Angels is defined by its unique place in the filmographies of De Niro and Penn. Coming off a decade of heavy dramatic roles, the film allowed both actors to showcase a rare, vaudevillian chemistry that subverted their tough-guy personas.
While it initially polarized critics who expected a more straightforward Mamet thriller, the movie has aged into a beloved cult classic, appreciated for its lush production design and its gentle, ironic take on the nature of miracles.
The film is also remembered for its impressive ensemble, marking one of the early film appearances of Reilly and featuring a standout, grounded performance by Moore.
Jordan’s atmospheric direction gives the town a fable-like quality that elevates the farce into something more timeless and resonant.
