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Unlikely Angel

Unlikely Angel is a 1996 made-for-television film directed by Michael Switzer and starring as , a self-centered singer who dies in a car accident and returns to with a mission from to perform one selfless act—reuniting an estranged widower and his children during the holidays—to earn her entry into the . Based on a story by Catherine Ann Jones with teleplay by Liz Coe and Robert L. Freedman, the screenplay blends humor, music, and sentiment, featuring original composed and performed by Parton, including tunes that highlight her signature style. Supporting the lead are as the workaholic father Ben Bartilson, as the wise , and a young as one of the children, with the ensemble delivering a mix of comedic and emotional performances centered on themes of and bonds. Produced by Sandollar Productions in association with under executive producers and , the 95-minute film was shot in and premiered on on December 17, 1996, achieving strong ratings as a holiday special. It has since become a perennial favorite in seasonal broadcasts, praised by audiences for its uplifting narrative and Parton's charismatic presence, earning a 6.3/10 average user rating on from 1,352 votes and a 68% audience score on as of 2024.

Plot and cast

Plot

Ruby Diamond, a flamboyant singer, dies in a car crash after leaving a bar late at night. Upon arriving in heaven, she meets , who reviews her selfish life and denies her immediate entry, instead challenging her to earn her by returning to and reuniting the fractured Bartilson family before midnight on , or face eternal . Ruby materializes at the Bartilson household, posing as a housekeeper recommended by a family friend, and begins inserting herself into their lives. The is deeply divided: widower Ben Bartilson is consumed by grief over his late wife's death a year earlier, leading him to his children and shun traditions; his teenage daughter Sarah harbors toward him, rebelliously to cope with the loss and her father's emotional absence; and his young son Matthew feels profoundly lonely, clinging to mementos of his mother while withdrawing from his father. Initially met with suspicion and hostility, Ruby persists by using her musical talents to connect with the children, teaching them songs that evoke joy and shared memories, while gently confronting Ben about his unresolved sorrow. She helps Sarah channel her anger into creative outlets and encourages to express his feelings, gradually easing tensions despite ongoing arguments rooted in their unresolved . Romantic sparks emerge between Ruby and Ben as she inspires him to open his heart again, though she struggles with her growing attachment amid reminders from of her divine deadline. On , a fierce storm isolates the family, forcing them into close quarters and precipitating a climactic confrontation where old wounds surface—Sarah accuses Ben of forgetting their , and Matthew runs off briefly in distress—but Ruby's interventions lead to heartfelt apologies and mutual understanding, culminating in the family's first true reconciliation as they decorate the tree and share a meal together. With the Bartilsons united in celebration, Ruby's task is fulfilled just before the deadline; she bids a tearful farewell, vanishing from their home as she ascends to , her memory of earthly connections erased as she finally receives her wings.

Cast

The principal cast of Unlikely Angel features in the lead role of , a flashy and opportunistic lounge singer who transitions into an angelic figure tasked with earthly redemption. portrays Ben Bartilson, a struggling widowed father attempting to balance work and family responsibilities. His children are played by as the rebellious teenage daughter Bartilson and as the young son Bartilson. appears as , depicted as a wise and humorous celestial gatekeeper overseeing heavenly judgments. In supporting roles, Maria del Mar plays Allison, Ben's potential romantic interest who brings warmth to the family dynamic. portrays Charlie, Ruby's former manager from her performing days, adding a touch of her past life to the narrative. The film's fantasy-comedy tone allows for exaggerated portrayals, particularly in Parton's vibrant depiction of Ruby and McDowall's whimsical .

Production

Development

The story concept for Unlikely Angel originated from Catherine Ann Jones, an award-winning screenwriter known for her work in inspirational dramas, and was adapted into a teleplay by Liz Coe and Robert L. Freedman. The script blended fantasy elements inspired by , featuring a deceased singer tasked with reuniting a fractured family to earn her place in heaven, while incorporating performances to highlight the lead actress's vocal strengths. The project was produced by Sandollar Productions, Dolly Parton's own company co-founded with Sandy Gallin, in association with The Kushner-Locke Company. Executive producers included Parton, Gallin, Gail Berman, Peter Locke, and Donald Kushner, with Parton serving in a dual role as star and producer to shape a feel-good holiday story amid her shift back toward acting after a focus on music in the early 1990s. Motivated by a desire to deliver uplifting content during the holidays, Parton envisioned the film as a Christmas vehicle offering hope and redemption, aligning with CBS's popular angel-themed programming like Touched by an Angel. With an estimated budget of $4 million, the production targeted as a made-for-television special, set for a December 1996 premiere. To capitalize on Parton's musical background, the screenplay was revised to feature several original songs composed by Parton and collaborator Velton Ray Bunch, including the "Unlikely Angel," integrated as key narrative moments.

Filming and music

Principal photography for Unlikely Angel took place in , , utilizing soundstages to depict both heavenly realms and domestic settings. oversaw the visual capture, contributing to the film's intimate, made-for-television aesthetic with a running time of 95 minutes. The production employed practical effects for elements, such as the manifestation of angelic wings, to blend fantasy with the story's grounded emotional tone. The musical score was composed by Velton Ray Bunch, who integrated country influences to complement the film's themes and Dolly Parton's performance style. Parton contributed original songs, including the "Unlikely Angel," which she wrote and performed during a heavenly sequence to underscore her character's redemption arc. Another original, "Whatcha Tryin' to Do to Me?," featured Parton in a performance that highlighted her vocal charisma and added levity to the narrative. These musical interludes were choreographed to synchronize with Parton's improvisational delivery, enhancing the comedic timing in her scenes.

Release

Broadcast

Unlikely Angel had its world premiere on on December 17, 1996, airing as a Tuesday night Christmas special at 9:00 p.m. within the network's programming block. The broadcast was produced in standard definition, color, and in the , with a runtime of approximately 91 minutes excluding commercials to fit the two-hour slot. CBS promoted the film through television advertisements that emphasized Dolly Parton's star power as the lead performer and the movie's fantasy theme centered on . Initial U.S. broadcast rights were exclusively held by , with no simultaneous international airing; subsequent releases occurred in countries like on December 26, 1997. The film later entered for seasons, including an airing on Lifetime in 2001. Any necessary minor edits for timing were applied to accommodate commercial breaks during the broadcast.

Home media

Unlikely Angel was first made available on through releases in the late , including a 1998 edition distributed by BWE Video for rental markets, followed by a broader U.S. consumer release on November 21, 2000. These early physical formats preserved the film's original 1.33:1 , consistent with its made-for-television origins. The DVD edition debuted on May 10, 2006, from , offering the 95-minute runtime in full-screen format with stereo sound and including two original songs performed by . Subsequent physical availability has been maintained through distributors like Mill Creek Entertainment, ensuring continued access in standard definition without notable restoration efforts. As of 2025, the film streams for free with ads on platforms including , , , and , while rental and purchase options are available on and . International accessibility mirrors this, with availability on services like in regions such as and the .

Reception

Critical response

Unlikely Angel received limited critical attention, with available reviews praising Dolly Parton's charismatic performance while critiquing the film's predictable storyline and reliance on holiday clichés. On , the film has an audience approval rating of 68% based on over 1,000 user ratings (as of November 2025). In a contemporary , Variety's Ray Richmond commended Parton's "bubbly" and "feisty" portrayal of , describing her as bringing "considerable charm" to the role of the unlikely angel, though he criticized the script for its "recycled" plot elements and failure to evoke genuine emotion, calling it a "tidy" but superficial . Similarly, the film's musical sequences were often cited as a highlight, with Parton's songs providing moments of heartfelt cheer amid the formulaic narrative. Critics frequently pointed to the strong family bonding scenes as emotionally resonant, particularly Parton's interactions with the estranged Bartilson family, which added warmth to the proceedings. However, common criticisms included the low-budget and an overreliance on predictable tropes, such as the heaven-sent intervention resolving all conflicts too neatly. On , the film has a user rating of 6.3/10 based on 1,352 votes (as of November 2025), reflecting a modest but appreciative response focused on its spirit and Parton's star power. In later retrospectives, has been viewed as a for Parton fans, emphasizing its lighthearted take on and seasonal despite its lack of innovation.

Viewership and legacy

Unlikely Angel premiered on on December 17, 1996, drawing a dedicated for its broadcast and reported as the highest-rated movie of the week, though specific Nielsen ratings for the film are not publicly detailed in contemporary reports. The made-for-television movie performed solidly as a mid-season special, contributing to 's lineup of faith-themed programming that season, which networks promoted to boost viewership during the competitive period. The film received no major awards nominations, including from the Primetime Emmys or Golden Globes, as confirmed by industry records. However, it has earned recognition in retrospective compilations, appearing in lists of notable TV movies alongside other family-oriented specials. Roddy McDowall's portrayal of the angelic earned praise for its charm in one of his final roles before his death in 1998, adding a layer of poignant legacy to the production. Over the years, Unlikely Angel has developed a cult following among Dolly Parton fans and holiday movie enthusiasts, often cited as an underrated Christmas classic for its blend of humor, music, and heartwarming themes. Parton's charismatic performance as the sassy angel Ruby Diamond has been highlighted in discussions of her acting career, briefly referencing the critical acclaim she garnered for embodying the role with infectious energy. The film's tropes of redemption and family reconciliation have echoed in subsequent angel-themed holiday productions from networks like Hallmark in the 2000s, though without direct attribution. Its enduring availability on free streaming platforms such as Pluto TV and The Roku Channel has sustained viewership spikes during the holiday season, reinforcing its place in seasonal programming. As part of Parton's broader television filmography, Unlikely Angel connects to her earlier holiday project (1986), where she also starred as a music seeking solace amid festivities, underscoring her recurring motif of blending with yuletide narratives across her TV specials and movies. This body of work has cemented Parton's reputation as a versatile entertainer in holiday media, with Unlikely Angel serving as a fan-favorite example of her contributions to the genre.

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