In Holy Man, Ricky Hayman (Jeff Goldblum) is programmer for the Good Buy network, a tv station entirely geared to selling useless goods to a gullible public. But Ricky's in a rut - sales are flat, his boss, Robert Loggia, is getting antsy, and his rather tired charm isn't working on Kate, Kelly Preston, the network's new marketing manager. Ricky needs a miracle. Enter G (Eddie Murphy), a stranger without a past who seems to be some kind of religious loner. Filled with wisdom and loving kindness, G latches on to Ricky, moves into his apartment, and starts making impromptu appearances on the network - and, lo and behold, G has the magic touch when it comes to selling.
This leisurely, sentimental film isn't really an Eddie Murphy movie; Murphy's mysterious character is the catalyst who energises the film's leading character, Ricky, and in this role Jeff Goldblum turns in such a good performance that he almost makes the unfocused movie worthwhile. But the script`s principal target - the shopping network - is a very easy subject for satire and G's magic or spiritual, powers remain irritatingly undefined.
Director Stephen Herek is an eclectic filmmaker whose work has embraced the dreary remake of The Three Musketeers, the earnest Mr Holland's Opus and the popular 101 Dalmations. His efforts here are smooth, bland and very measured. Eddie Murphy fans will be disappointed; Goldblum admirers will wish this vehicle for the actor had a lot more substance.
