Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Mr. Destiny Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 28, 2018

James Belushi has never been an easy guy to cast. In the 1980s, the actor built his career on wiseacre roles, portraying tough and dim guys who were quick with a quip, but he rarely found himself in the arms of the leading lady. 1990’s “Mr. Destiny” was part of an effort to soften Belushi for mass acceptance, watering down his blue collar bluster with a role that required him to play an everyman in a fantasy world. Belushi has been better in different movies, but “Mr. Destiny” turns him into a teddy bear, which is unusual casting, tasking the star to generally go along with co- writer/director James Orr, ditching improvisational instincts to make nice in a film that wants to be loved, going all Capra to secure a sugary viewing experience about a basic human oversight: appreciation.

Larry (James Belushi) is an average man with an average life, still stinging from a key strikeout during a critical baseball game when he was a teenager. Married to Ellen (Linda Hamilton), Larry wants something else from his life, stuck in a routine that has him reporting to dastardly Niles (Hart Bochner) at his corporate job for a sporting goods company. When his car breaks down, Larry finds an open bar nearby, offered a special “Spilled Milk” drink from bartender Mike (Michael Caine), who knows everything about the sad sack’s life. Downing the concoction, Larry’s life is suddenly switched to an alternate reality where he’s the head honcho at the company, married to Cindy Jo (Rene Russo), and living large with millions. At first disoriented by his new world, Larry soon learns what’s going on, enjoying his special comforts with periodic guidance from Mike. However, he can’t give up on Ellen, doggedly pursuing the union rep, even though she doesn’t know who he is, finding Larry trying to recreate the life he left behind while trapped in the life he always thought he wanted.

“Mr. Destiny” is held together by narration from Larry, which is fairly extensive, walking through the character’s crushing baseball defeat and his current situation as an affable but depressed husband to Ellen and best pal to goofball Clip (Jon Lovitz). It feels like the movie was subjected to some serious restructuring in the editing process, employing Larry to keep the endeavor on task as it burns through pages of backstory, trying to shape an arc that takes the lovable loser from his sporting humiliation to his desire for a life change. How it’s ultimately presented in the picture is a tad jumbled and the narration is intrusive, but “Mr. Destiny” never derails, working very diligently to get Larry to Mike’s bar as fast as possible, sending him on his way to a “little excitement” with the help of a special drink.

“Mr. Destiny” locks into gear when Larry discovers his new life, which remains true to a Capra-style creation, but there’s a touch of “Back to the Future” in here as well, especially when the confused man tries to return to his home, only to find another family residing inside the dwelling. Larry’s alternate reality involves grand wealth and a loving wife in Cindy Jo, who was previously an office fixation and now a marital possibility. They live in a sprawling mansion with two kids and a full staff of servants, and comedy comes with Larry’s awkward handling of the situation, unsure what’s happened. They offer regal booze, he wants a “brewski,” with Orr and co-writer James Cruickshank hitting the collision of middle- class Larry and his upper-class expectations as hard as they can, which also include his position as the CEO of the sporting goods empire.

Whimsy is anticipated in “Mr. Destiny,” but Orr doesn’t flood the movie with sentiment, keeping things icy with Larry’s actions as a business leader facing employee revolt and union contract talks, and there’s pressure from Niles, a wormy yuppie trying to scam his way into Larry’s gig, secretly tinkering with Japanese takeover plans. Those expecting something softer might be surprised by all the corporate combat that takes place in “Mr. Destiny,” which often prioritizes business dealings over matters of the heart. It’s not a smart choice, finding the material far more appealing when focused on Larry’s clearing dizziness, grasping everything he’s lost to have this life, newly set on wooing Ellen, who has no idea what’s going on. Orr also has a fun idea in the soap opera experience Larry’s stepped into, with his marriage to Cindy Jo threatened by mistress Jewel (Courtney Cox) and their shared jealousy of attention paid to Ellen, but this is an aspect of the script that’s not developed in full, ending in gunfire instead of farce.

Mr. Destiny Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is another submission from the Disney catalog, working with an older master that's serviceable, but doesn't bring out the freshness of a new scan. Detail is on the soft side, but basic clarity is supplied for facial particulars, eased along by Orr's love of close-ups. Interior decoration is simple to study, and costuming has its fibrous qualities, enjoying period-specific bedazzling and bulkiness. It's a colorful film, giving hues a helping hand, covering brighter primaries and stranger magical elements, including the whiteness of the Spilled Milk drink. Reds are blazing at times. Greenery is appealing. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in good shape, missing any major elements of damage.

Mr. Destiny Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers a bigger presence for "Mr. Destiny," doing well with dialogue exchanges, which emerge with necessary emphasis and softer romantic intent, never slipping into distortive extremes. Frontal position is defined, with some subtle panning effects. Scoring is also dominant but never oppressive, supporting moods with clear instrumentation. Soundtrack selections are also engaging. Sound effects, such as screeching tires and gunshots, are sharp. Atmospherics are evocative, visiting baseball games and office bustle.

Mr. Destiny Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director James Orr and actor Jim Belushi.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:51, SD) is included, though it lacks its original voiceover.

Mr. Destiny Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Mr. Destiny" spirals out of control, with Orr assuming viewers would rather see Larry deal with car chases, a dead dog, and business world sparring than soak in the warmth of a man who suddenly realizes that the life he had was all he really needed. Sweetness is taken out back and beaten with baseball bat, but the feature doesn't entirely lose appeal, held together by Belushi, who does a solid job with straight man posing, credibly selling Larry's panic with some degree of subtlety, leaving laughs to others. The endeavor is also eased along by a fine supporting cast, including Hamilton, who slathers on apple-cheeked charm as Ellen, and Caine plays his part as a total pro, giving his scenes as a magical figure of destiny some pep, also showcasing remarkable confidence with what amounts to be a tiny role. "Mr. Destiny" isn't "It's a Wonderful Life," but it gets reasonably far on intent, with Orr looking to transform Belushi into Jimmy Stewart for 110 minutes, putting the blustery actor in the middle of a fantasy that's largely reliant on his ability to project comedic disbelief and kindness, making it easy to root for a guy who's made a critical mistake, trying to reset all that was lost.