Jeff Goldblum is the beneficiary of Eddie Murphy’s wisdom in this spiritual romantic comedy about the folly of materialism and ambition. As a failing executive at a home-shopping network, Goldblum falls for consultant Kelly Preston the same day he meets goofy guru Murphy, who interrupts a pilgrimage to offer help when Goldblum’s fancy car breaks down on a Miami highway. Clever enough without being too clever, the network’s pathetic infomercials downplay the grasping humor typical of media satire, forming a solid backdrop for the story’s philosophical intentions. Goldblum and Murphy outdo each other in their odd roles, each minimizing his tendency toward shtick and giving a convincing dramatic performance. It may not be earthshaking, but this calmly competent feel-good movie shows that a little sincerity can go a long way. Stephen Herek directed a screenplay by Tom Schulman; with Robert Loggia (1998).
