Heaven Can Wait (1978)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Directors:

Warren Beatty
Buck Henry

Writers:

Harry Segall (play)
Elaine May (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

28 June 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance | Sport

Plot:

A Los Angeles Rams quarterback, accidentally taken away from his body by an over-anxious angel before he was supposed to die, comes back to life in the body of a recently-murdered millionaire.

Plot Keywords:

Quarterback | Heaven | Millionaire | Angel | Death

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Warren Beatty	...	Joe Pendleton
Julie Christie	...	Betty Logan
James Mason	...	Mr. Jordan
Jack Warden	...	Max Corkle
Charles Grodin	...	Tony Abbott
Dyan Cannon	...	Julia Farnsworth
Buck Henry	...	The Escort
Vincent Gardenia	...	Det. Lt. Krim
Joseph Maher	...	Sisk
Hamilton Camp	...	Bentley
Arthur Malet	...	Everett
Stephanie Faracy	...	Corinne
Jeannie Linero	...	Lavinia
Harry D.K. Wong	...	Gardener
George J. Manos	...	Security guard

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Iceland:L | Norway:11 | Norway:12 (1978) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Paul McCartney wrote a song for the film called "Did We Meet Somewhere Before?". Warren Beatty wasn't satisfied with it so the song was discarded. It was eventually used in Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979).

Goofs:

Continuity: When Max carries in Joe's birthday cake, the candle is lit, but the flame slowly goes out. In the next shot, the candle is lit again.

Quotes:

Joe Pendleton: I'm not supposed to be here.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Buck Henry/Sun Ra (#3.20)" (1978)

Soundtrack:

Sonata No 3

Thoroughly charming afterlife comedy

After appearing the rare Mike Nichols misstep THE FORTUNE (1975), it took Beatty three long years to return to the screen with the genteel comedy/fantasy HEAVEN CAN WAIT (1978). In addition to essaying the lead role, Beatty also made his debut in the director's chair, with the assistance of legendary comedy writer Buck Henry (who also plays a supporting role in the film). A remake of 1941 semi-classic HERE COMES MR. JORDAN, HEAVEN CAN WAIT amazingly manages to surpass the original in many ways and emerges as somewhat of a modern classic itself. The film was an instant hit with both critics and audiences, was nominated for an astounding 9 Oscars including "Best Picture," and remains an enjoyably magical film that is almost impossible not to love.

Beatty not only proves himself to be a perfectly competent film director, and the picture also provides the star with one of his best roles as an actor. Beatty's good-natured football player Joe is the exact type of lovable stud that you cannot help but fall for. The film's screenplay takes Joe from earth to heaven and to back to earth again through an assortment of various bodies, and Beatty's easygoing charisma holds it all together and keeps viewers involved in the story and fixated on the screen. This is a star performance if there ever was one, and Beatty has rarely been more likable.

The rest of the cast is particularly winning. The still silver-tongued James Mason (in a part originally offered to the retired Cary Grant) as the heavenly Mr. Jordan and the endearing gruff Jack Warden are perfect as father figure-types for Beatty's Joe, and Charles Grodin and Dyan Cannon are absolutely terrific as the film's pair of villains. The only performer missing the boat is a blah Julie Christie, who is pleasant but unconvincing in the sadly underwritten role of the ecologist love interest of the body Beatty has temporarily inherited. It seems as though the creators thought dressing Christie in frumpy wardrobe and frizzy hairstyle was enough to give the character depth, but all they succeeded in was making a natural beauty look rather hideous.

The film is a joyous, comedic piece of whimsy that manages to incorporate slapstick comedy, romance, fantasy, and even an underdog sports story without ever feeling bloated or disjointed. The true emotional highpoint comes with Mr. Jordan's farewell to Joe, as well as Max failing to recognize him in his new body. The rather shallow development of Christie's character leaves the film's THE WAY WE WERE-like finale ringing a bit hollow, but it's still an effectively bittersweet coda nonetheless. This film launched a major revival of whimsical comedies that remained popular until the late-eighties, and it easily remains the best effort of this revival.