Let me say right off...Whitney Houston is, without question, an extraordinarily gifted singer and Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood's best boxoffice draws...and, not without reason. But, those facts aren't enough to save this picture.

Those who have seen this film and have not seen its predecessor, "The Bishop's Wife," have only seen the inadequate imitation. There is no comparison between the two, other than plot similarities.

If you want a beautiful bit of Christmas drama, a touch of humor and truly superb acting, the better choice is "The Bishop's Wife." I don't say that merely because it is a "classic," but because of the reasons that make it a classic. The texture of the story and the subtle acting nuances add a richness to the film which is, unfortunately, missing from this updated version.