R.J. Colleary Movies
- 2003
Bound by the rules of the Confessional, elderly priest Father Madden (Charles Durning) is unable to turn in the person who has tipped him off about a planned bank robbery. The only person who could help the Father solve his dilemma is angel Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli), but he refuses to believe she's whom she claims to be. Ultimately, Gloria and her fellow Heavenly emissaries--including Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) in a return appearance--must infiltrate both the robbers and the cops in order to prevent a horrible tragedy. . .and, incidentally, to reunite two long-estranged brothers. This is the only episode in which series star Roma Downey does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
50 years ago, the Egyptian Theater was founded to "celebrate children." But in the intervening decades, theater owner Ben Horner (Alex Rocco) has come to despise all children, especially the juvenile delinquents who vandalize the Egyptian on a daily basis. Moreover, the theater's current resident company is comprised of pompous, self-serving actors who could care less about entertaining youngsters. Monica (Roma Downey) and the other angels endeavor to restore the Egyptian's original mission--and to bring the various warring factions together on common ground. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
World-weary private eye Maury Hoover (Stacy Keach) is briefly shaken out of his lethargy when a shapely femme fatale--who looks a lot like Monica (Roma Downey)--slinks into his office, asking him to find someone named Jim Grant. Somehow or other, this assignment is linked to a runaway girl who calls herself Delphina (Amanda MacDonald), for whom Maury has developed a paternal affection. The outcome of the story is determined by Delphina's willingness (or lack of same) to change her standard story about "escaping" from an abusive household--and by Maury's success (or lack of same) in liberating the girl from her vicious pimp Scott Anderson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Monica (Roma Downey) and the angels set out for the small Nevada town of Wells, where Nicole Blake (Laurel Holloman) and her 10-year-old daughter Danni (Holliston Coleman) are treated like lepers because of Nicole's single-mother status. When her mom is injured on the job, Nicole embarks upon a journey in search of the father she has never met, using an old Christmas card from a Mr. "Jackson" as her only clue. In the course of events, Nicole innocently causes a lot of trouble between a man and his wife, then latches on to a friendly handyman who seems to fit the description of her long-lost dad. But in the end, it is Tess (Della Reese) who brings Danni's family together, by way of the sheerest of coincidences! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Series star Roma Downey plays a dual role in this episode, which marks the return of angelic Monica's demonic twin Monique. Posing as Monica, Monique tricks angel-in-training Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) into breaking up newlyweds Kristie (Sarah Thompson) and Doug (Ryan Hurts), and driving poor Kristie into the arms of a sinister-looking cowboy (Christina Stevens) who always wear bright red boots! Will Gloria figure out which twin is the phony before it is too late? (Incidentally, in a breathtaking burst of versatility, Roma Downey also coscripted tonight's episode!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
16-year-old Natalie Tate (Ashley Johnson) is thoroughly ashamed of her mom Annie (Jo Dee Messina), a cocktail waitress who lives in a trailer camp. Aspiring to a better life, Annie weaves a web of lies for the benefit of her high school friends, claiming that Annie is a wealthy Harvard graduate. When the true is revealed in a humiliating fashion, Annie begs her new neighbor Monica (Roma Downey) for help in resolving the situation. But angel though she may be, Monica demurs, convinced that Annie is capable of handling things herself. Guest star Jo Dee Messina sings the title song for this episode, in which series regular Della Reese (Tess) does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Life has been Hell on Earth for Don and Stacey Costello (Gregory Harrison, Donna Bullock) since their own daughter Kimmie (Bethany Richards) was murdered. Especially affected by the tragedy is Don's career as a motivational speaker, which is rapidly going down the tubes. Worse still, the Costellos' bitterness has trickled down to their son Justin (Myles Jeffrey), who is now in big trouble at school. Posing as a child therapist, Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) tries to smooth things out for Justin, but her efforts may be sabotaged by her own curiously misfire efforts to help Don get his act together. Ultimately, Justin makes a startling revelation to explain why that he, even more than her murderer, feels responsible for Kimmie's death. And at the close of this eighth-season Touched by an Angel finale, life goes on in a mysterious but wonderful way...thanks to Kimmie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Joel Grey makes his first appearance as Ronald, an oddball angel from the Records and Permanent Files division. Showing up while the other angels are preparing a surprise party for Tess (Della Reese), Ronald comments that he'd love to be a Heavenly caseworker, but he's too insecure--and besides, he's never come into contact with any human beings. Meanwhile, Tess is having more "contact" than she'd prefer with Kelly Rockhill (Mel Harris), the embittered cashier at a combination diner and car repair shop. Unless Kelly is willing to grant Tess a favor, the surprise party may never come off--but Kelly has been burned once too often by past favors that have resulted in disillusionment, despair, and even death. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Monica (Roma Downey) and the angels must restore hope and self-esteem in the heart of Dave, an aging, dispirited busboy at Bubba's Polynesian Paradise. So down is Dave on himself in particular and life in general that he may become a willing accomplice to a sinister arson scheme. All this changes when a group of former schoolmates gather for a reunion at Bubba's--whereupon they immediately recognize Dave as their former (and favorite!) teacher. Naturally, Dave is not the Angels' only "reclamation job" this week; also taken into consideration are two troubled members of the reunion party, Yvette (A. J. Johnson) and Peter (Erik King). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli) goes on a ride-along with Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye), whose current assignment is to "collect" the peppery grandmother (Gloria Stuart) of timid postman Chuck Parker (Kirk Cameron). Meanwhile, Parker has been encouraged by Monica (Roma Downey)--here cast as his grandmother's nurse--to protect two youngsters (Michael Welch, Skye Cole Bartusiak) from being brutalized by their drunken father (James McDonald). Grief-stricken by his grandmother's death, Chuck is galvanized into plotting the murder of the kids' no-good dad--but in a startling turn of events, the "wrong" person dies, making even the Angels wonder what good can possibly come of this situation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Young Mickey Dempsey (Matt Weinberg) is in complete denial over his mother's death. Worried about Mickey's mental health, his older brother Ryan (Tony Denman) asks the help of actor Guy Garfield (Lee Horsley), who plays a Heavenly dogooder on the popular TV series "The Avenging Angel." Alas, Garfield is far from an angel in real life: In fact, he plans to exploit his "generosity" toward Mickey for publicity purposes, then drop the kid like a hot potato once he's outlived his usefulness. As Garfield's temporary assistant, Monica (Roma Downey) is determined to do right by Mickey even if her boss won't...and along the way, even the odious Mr. Garfield learns some hard lessons about genuine spirituality. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
In order to convince a skeptical cabbie that a tragedy will occur if she doesn't reach the Queensborough Bridge by 10 PM, Monica recalls the chain of disastrous events that led up to this crticial and anxious moment. It all started when a total stranger (Howard Hesseman) made a rude gesture to Monica because of her inept parallel-parking skills. Outraged by this breach of etiquette, Monica transmitted her anger and bitterness to several other people in the course of the day. One of the second-hand recipients of Monica's wrath is a woman named Wendy (Kathie Lee Gifford)--who becomes so disheartened that she intends to commit suicide! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Robert Loggia guest stars as 102-year-old movie director Chandler Crowne, a specialist in dark, pessimistic films. Though due for a final rendezvous with Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye), Chandler will not be able to die in peace unless he takes care of some unfinished business in his distant past. At the same time, Chandler is being hounded by hero-worshipping film student Stevie Noonan (Noelle Parker), who demands to know why the director switched from making optimistic comedy films to turning out defeatist dramas. The inevitable flashback whisks us to Hollywood's Golden Era, as the young Crowne puts the finishing touches on his classic film "Redemption"--in which Monica (Roma Downey) is appearing as the ingenue! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Fired for revealing a structural flaw in the building where he worked, hardhat Jim Sullivan (David Andrews) takes a job as a limo driver to support his family. Among his customers is a well-heeled but disreputable character named Stuart Deane (played by episode director Stuart Margolin), who commits a murder on Jim's shift. Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese)show up as Federal agents assigned to guard the Sullivan family as Jim prepares to testify against Deane. But before he can truly be "safe", Jim must first make amends for his willingness to accept money in exchange for his silence--and for the fact that he'd figured out what Deane was planning long before he pulled the trigger! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Kenny Rogers guest stars as itinerant musician Denny (Kenny Rogers), former boyfriend of a married woman named Ellen Sawyer (Kathy Baker). Feeling neglected by her workaholic husband Greg (Michael Nouri)--who in time-honored sitcom tradition has forgotten their 20th wedding anniversary--Ellen wishes she had married Denny instead. Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye are assigned to bring the Sawyers back together again. . .and by an amusing twist of fate, they are "helped " in this pursuit by none other than Denny himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This year's Halloween assignment for Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) is to save expectant parents Annie and Rick Higuerra (Karen Arroyave, Guillermo Diaz) from the clutches of Satan. Annie has already been approached at her place of business by a demonic young man named Dennis (Thomas Dekker), while cash-poor Rick is being tempted to stray from the fold by a sinister bookie named Cal (Jeremy Roberts). Inasmuch as the true identity of these two strangers is obvious from the start, one would think that the three angels would have no trouble thwarting their perennial foe...and one would be wrong! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
When Angela McCannell incurs irreversible brain damage, her husband Dan (Travis Tritt) refuses to accept the fact that his beloved wife is, for all intents and purposes, a dead woman. Dan blocks all efforts to donate his wife's heart to Ilena (Christina Vidal), a 16-year-old on the threshold of death. Meanwhile, Monica (Roma Downey) tries to make brighten Ilena's gloomy existence by introducing her to young Casey (Jena Malone), the daughter of heart surgeon Dr. Sandra Pena (Maria Conchita Alonso). Sandra warns Casey not to get too close to Ilena, whose chances for survival are fading with each passing day. Refusing to accept this, Casey boards a bus all by herself and travels to Idaho, in hopes of talking sense to Dan. Ultimately, tragedy strikes again--and it looks as though Casey, and not Angela, will end up as the heart donor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
T.J. McKenna (Alan Rosenberg), a jaded executive at the NNT television network, once cared about living the best and most worthwhile life possible. Now all McKenna concerns himself is NNT's ratings, and accordingly he brashly promotes his network's programming as "bigger, better, absolutely shocking". Enter Monica (Roma Downey), who throws McKenna for a loop--and turns his life around--by suggesting that he put on a weekly TV show about angels. As part of Monica's "pitch", the viewer is treated to highlights from previous Touched by an Angel episodes, wherein Monica, Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) show the benefits accrued by caring for others rather than oneself. Conchate Ferrell costars in the pivotal role of McKenna's long-suffering secretary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
The Angels arrive in Salt Lake City, which is also the temporary stopover for nomadic con artist Bart Ewing (Jack Wagner) and his 12-year-old daughter Haley (Anastasia Emmons). A talented ice skater, Haley yearns to settle down in one place and take lessons--especially now that she has befriend Olympic contender Alex Thorpe (Tara Lipinski), a meeting secretly arranged by angel Andrew (John Dye). Unfortunately, Bart regards an upcoming charity skating event as just another opportunity to fleece the local suckers--and as a result, it is Haley who may have to pay the penalty for her dad's crimes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Bill Cosby guest stars as Phil, the Angel of Reconciliation. Phil's current assignment is to mend the rifts that have separated prosperous car dealer Ben Mangione (Pat Hingle) and his prodigal son Buddy (Josh Carmichael). Ben's anger over Buddy's refusal to take over the family business--not to mention the ill feelings of Ben's son-in-law Frankie (Michael Rispoli), who'd hoped to take over himself--casts a pall over the 35th wedding anniversary of Ben and his wife Sylvia (Joyce Van Patten). Even more irksome is that the habitually late Phil has yet to make an appearance, forcing Tess (Della Reese) to cover for him, and possibly complete his assignment. But this may not be possible; halfway through the anniversary, party, word arrives that Buddy has been killed in a car accident! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The wedding plans of teenagers Greg (Corbin Allred) and Jill (Mercedes McNab) may be scuttled by their overbearingly "perfect" mothers Liz (Alley Mills) and Candice (Karen Austin), who have despised each other ever since their high school days. It turns out that Candice had long ago stolen Liz's boyfriend, and that Liz had spitefully agreed to keep Candice's youthful promiscuity a secret from her daughter Jill on condition that Jill never marry Liz's son Greg. It is up to angels Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) to help Candice and Liz overcome their mutual animosity, selfishness and guilt feelings for the sake of their children. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Monica (Roma Downey) and Andrew (John Dye) are assigned to the old-time comedy team of Salt and Pepper, who are about to be inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Maury Salt (Jerry Stiller) and Ed Pepper (Tom Poston) have hated each other ever since the argument that broke them up thirty years ago. Reluctantly reunited for the induction ceremony, the two showbiz veterans start quarrelling all over again, and it takes the intervention of Monica, posing as Salt's woefully inept new comedy partner, to restore a semblance of peace and quiet. As it turns out, if a reconciliation is to take place, it had better be soon; one of the partners hasn't much longer to live. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Posing as an Army private, angel Rafael (Alexis Cruz) tries to reconcile hardhearted Col. Victor Walls (Edward James Olmos) with his embittered soldier son Tomas (Vincent Laresca). Already angered that his father has changed his name from Victor Paredes, presumably to distance himself from his Hispanic roots, Tomas is furthered incensed over the Colonel's unwillingness to discuss the fate of his other son, who has been killed in Bosnia. When it turns out that the Colonel himself had recommended his son for the dangerous assignment that resulted in his death, another tragedy seems inevitable--but don't discount the divine "healing" powers of the canny Rafael. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Widow Nancy (Patty Duke) has never seen eye to eye with Stephanie (Hillary Danner), the fiancee of Nancy's son Michael (Mark Kiely). In fact, Nancy and Stephanie have just finished a bitter argument over what sort of wedding to have when word comes that Michael has been seriously injured in a car accident. Hovering over her comatose son, Nancy insists that Michael be taken off life support, while Stephanie pleads with the doctors to save him--and somewhere in Limbo, Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye) gently informs Michael that even if he survives surgery, he will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of life. In a lighter moment, Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey) shows up at Michael's bachelor party...popping out of a cake! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Monica (Roma Downey) arrives in a small Montana town where dwells an elderly widow named Annie Doyle (Piper Laurie). 35 years ago, Annie's husband Tommy, regarded by the locals as a paragon of virtue and decency, died under mysterious circumstances. This tragic event resulted in friction between Annie and her snoopy neighbors Emily (Bonnie Bartlett), Russell (Sterling Brimley) and Markus (Matt Clark), who in the intervening years succeeded in convincing the entire community that Annie was somehow responsible for her husband's death. With this in mind, Monica must somehow come to Annie's aid--but she isn't sure whether her mission is to reconcile the widow's life before she goes blind, or to fulfill the old lady's lifelong dream of traveling to Europe. Or...is Monica slated to reveal to one and all that the late Tommy Doyle, and NOT Annie, is the true villain of the piece? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
