From the cover, I thought it was a sort of fairy tale in small town USA at Christmas and i was wrong : it starts indeed in the coast but then the action goes to a neighborhood in NYC at summer. In a way, it reminds me then about « Do the right thing » because we see the inner dynamic of the locals. It's also very similar to King's « Needful things » as a newcomer disrupts a small community by « magical » means ! But soon the movie turns horrible, insipid and totally boring as those characters are really repulsive : the stupid and cheating husband, the suspicious shrink, the old witches, the young rebel, the blues catholic, the lesbian couple ! After one half-hour, i had enough of those silly characters, endless talkative scene without any action and repetitive guessing waves. Beyond, i wonder why the need to marry them if they have to split immediately! Moore can be pretty as a blonde but totally fails when it comes to energize the movie ! As i picked up the movie to complete my run about Frances, i push the forward button to her scenes and wasn't surprised by her new life that fits perfectly in a so dumb movie ! Now you know what's the butcher will give you so don't complain if you have stomach pains afterward !

Television director Terry Hughes tried his hand at features with this improbable and uneven modern updating of "Marty", with magical overtones and quirky eccentricities--not the least of which is a miscast Demi Moore as a psychic sprite with absurd golden locks. Moore believes she is fated to marry a lonely but charming butcher (the wonderful George Dzundza, looking a lot more handsome than we're supposed to think he is); after the nuptials however, she begins to have real feelings for another man, yuppie psychiatrist Jeff Daniels. It's this kind of thinking in Hollywood--that a younger, slimmer man would be a better catch for Demi Moore than a balding, chubby guy like George Dzundza--that sinks most romantic comedies, and nearly does this one in as well. Daniels is exasperating while trying to shrink Moore's head, while Dzundza's fire is lighted by local spinster Mary Steenburgen, a closet chanteuse. The film is not the merry romantic mix-up it wants to be, and Demi is too callow to be passed off as this blonde sweetheart (she fails to connect with anyone on-screen, not to mention the audience). Perhaps happily-ever-after stylist Hughes was just the wrong pick as director: he turns a promising scenario into a flat-footed sitcom. ** from ****

I have screened this movie for the 4th time.Watching Demi Moore makes it hard to remember she is not acting (re. suspension of disbelief). Jeff Daniels' character plays a good neurotic.On the pro side, I found the direction fair to midland and the supporting cast excellent.The screenplay is sweetly romantic and sentimental.I did not find the theme overtly pro-homosexual. Rather, it was a mature look of life and love and it's happenstance. I would enjoy talking with my youngsters about the film as it embodies life's essentials.

I tried very hard to like this movie because I love the fantasy genre, especially subtle entries like PORTRAIT OF JENNIE and MIRACLE OVER MILAN but this movie jumps the track. Why? Simple, you just cannot believe in the sincerity of the title character. Marina can see into people's minds (maybe even their hearts?) but while she is trying to be the guiding influence in the lives of her neighbors her own life is a shambles because she misinterpreted a prophecy concerning herself. Alas this barefoot girl with cheek to spare needed someone to advise her while she was advising others. Too bad this movie was not made 20 years earlier with Vittorio DeSica directing and maybe Monica Vitti in the starring role. Then we might be acknowledging it as a classic today. Well we can dream, can't we?