LEAP OF FAITH (1992) **1/2 The really cool thing about formulas is that they can work when you have good actors. Formulas only become oppressive when you get bored, and have room to object. Steve Martin borders on brilliant as the scam artist evengelist replete with long-haired road crew, and hot band with Meatloaf on keyboards. Debra Winger is almost perfect as his amused girl-next-door partner in crime, smoothing the rough edges and working the angles. Steve really wants to get into Lolita Davidovich's waitress suit, a subplot that isn't unnecessarily developed but serves as the axis upon which the entire film turns. For her part Winger falls for a cop she's pretending to be hot for, almost believable enough as he's Liam Neeson without makeup. The problem, of course, is that you always have to be on the lookout for "the genuine article." Who amongst us is prepared to be able to make it rain, to perform miracles, to justify the faith of the common man? Lags for about half of the film, but seriously flirts with something greater than itself on the homestretch.
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