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Heaven Can Wait (1978)
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Overview
User Rating:
Directors:
Writers:
Release Date:
28 June 1978 (USA)
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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. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Quarterback
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Heaven
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Millionaire
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Angel
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Death
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Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 8 wins
&
13 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
Interview: Robert Sean Leonard of Hugh Laurie’s ‘House M.D.’ on Self-Titled Episode ‘Wilson’
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 30 November 2009, 11:44 AM, PST)
Beck and Charlotte Gainsbourg team up, weirdness ensues
(From The Guardian - Film News. 20 November 2009, 4:48 AM, PST)
(From HollywoodChicago.com. 30 November 2009, 11:44 AM, PST)
Beck and Charlotte Gainsbourg team up, weirdness ensues
(From The Guardian - Film News. 20 November 2009, 4:48 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Thoroughly charming afterlife comedy
more (74 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | 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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Leslie Caron was also considered for the role of Betty Logan. Years after the film's released, Warren Beatty admitted that Julie Christie was the saving grace behind the film's success.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Max finds out the truth, his cigar jumps from his hand to his mouth and back again between shots.
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Quotes:
[Tony Abbott, after ushering the shreiking Mrs. Julia Farnsworth out of her husband's office, millionaire Mr. Farnsworth who is meeting with Miss Betty Logan, returns to the office and, from the doorway, says]
Tony Abbott: Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Farnsworth. Mrs. Farnsworth saw a mouse.
Betty Logan: She just saw a mouse?
Tony Abbott: No. Before. Outside. But she relives it.
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Tony Abbott: Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Farnsworth. Mrs. Farnsworth saw a mouse.
Betty Logan: She just saw a mouse?
Tony Abbott: No. Before. Outside. But she relives it.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in George Stevens: The Filmmakers Who Knew Him (2001) (V)
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Soundtrack:
Sonata No 3
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (74 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Heaven Can Wait (1978)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Jack Warden | KwanPPL |
| Super Bowl | gjoy44 |
| The Ending | FromFireIsland |
| Warren Beatty's house | pparkerpictures |
| I'm confused | heykincaid |
| Nine Oscar nominations? | spearsdw |
Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
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| Here Comes Mr. Jordan | The Longest Yard | Down to Earth | All of Me | Strangers on a Train |
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Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Comedy section | IMDb USA section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |
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.