Destiny Turns on the Radio (1995)

Destiny Turns on the Radio (1995). 1h 42m | R

“There are only certain movies that can overcome their technical failures. Movies like u0026quot;Destiny Turns on the Radiou0026quot; have an authentically magical spark that draws you in despite some bad production values. Whatu0026#39;s more, its whimsical but truly bizarre story never alienates its audience. It is solidly entertaining and memorable throughout. Featuring some dazzling performances (minus Quentin Tarantinou0026#39;s lackluster turn as the suave Johnny Destiny) and a truly unique story, u0026quot;Destinyu0026quot; is a low-key gem.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDylan McDermott is downright charismatic as Julian Goddard-a fugitive who was able to escape a Nevada penitentiary through a once in a lifetime brush with luck and fate. He is rescued by Destiny and delivered back to his old life of crime after 3 years. He hooks up with hotel manager Thoreau, his longtime partner and friend-played by James LeGros who is one of the filmu0026#39;s most shining assests. With a fresh new hand at life, he sets out to get back with his ex Lucille, who is looking for her big break as a singer (by any means necessary). She is now with a piggish casino owner played by a surprisingly funny James Belushi. Of course, Goddard needs to thwart him, his goons, not to mention a handful of cops on his tail in order to get to his long lost love. All the while, Johnny Destiny is planning his return to his netherworldly realm through means of a hotel pool portal (donu0026#39;t ask- watch the movie).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere are a lot of things that just donu0026#39;t work in this movie. Fortunately they are not hard to look past. These include the terrible sound, which require some leniency from the viewer. They also include some jokes that go flat-notably a completely needless subplot starring none other that Bobcat Goldthwait. As you know, Quentin doesnu0026#39;t do much for his great role and to top it all off, there are some things that donu0026#39;t make a whole lot of sense in the script.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe beautiful thing about this movie is that it doesnu0026#39;t stop being so effortlessly likable. It gets very far fetched, but it never turned me off the whole time. In fact, it only proceeded to draw me in and captivate my imagination. Not to mention itu0026#39;s sprinkled with great bit parts like Tracey Walter as Goddardu0026#39;s desert-rat father, a hilarious David Cross as Lucilleu0026#39;s sleazy agent and Allen Garfield as Vinny Vedivici, the slob producer who can make her dreams come true.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt may not hit all its marks, but u0026quot;Destiny Turns on the Radiou0026quot; convinces you it doesnu0026#39;t have to. It is one of those irresistible movies that you donu0026#39;t know why you enjoy it, but canu0026#39;t help doing so nonetheless. Donu0026#39;t be shy, accept u0026quot;Destinyu0026quot;.”