Just Like Heaven (2005)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Mark Waters

Writers (WGA):

Peter Tolan (screenplay) and
Leslie Dixon (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 September 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

It's a wonderful afterlife.

Plot:

A lonely landscape architect (Ruffalo) falls for the spirit of beautiful woman (Witherspoon) who used to live in his new apartment.

Plot Keywords:

Apartment | Doctor | Coma | Car Accident | Hospital

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Reese Witherspoon	...	Elizabeth
Mark Ruffalo	...	David
Donal Logue	...	Jack
Dina Waters	...	Abby
Ben Shenkman	...	Brett
Jon Heder	...	Darryl
Ivana Milicevic	...	Katrina
Caroline Aaron	...	Grace
Rosalind Chao	...	Fran
Ron Canada	...	Dr. Walsh
Willie Garson	...	Maitre D'
Gabrielle Made	...	Nurse Maria
William Caploe	...	Nurse Bill
Shulie Cowen	...	Nurse Jenny
Billy Beck	...	Mr. Clarke

Also Known As:

If Only It Were True (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Québec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | UK:PG | Ireland:PG | Australia:PG | Norway:A | Czech Republic:12 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Finland:K-3 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Taiwan:PG-12 | Mexico:A | Argentina:Atp | Sweden:Btl | Brazil:Livre | Malaysia:U | Iceland:10 | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Hungary:14 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41875) | Philippines:PG-13 (Avid Phil) | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:15 | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

During some scenes and rehearsals, the director had Mark Ruffalo wear an earpiece to receive his lines from Reese Witherspoon who was not on the set, replicating the situation depicted in the film, where David has to relay Elizabeth's messages to the others who cannot see or hear her.

Goofs:

Continuity: David is lying in bed with Elizabeth toward the end of the film. He is scruffy. The very next morning, he wakes up and is clean shaved. Later, that same day, he is scruffy.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Nurse Maria: Elizabeth...
Elizabeth Masterson: How long was I out?
Nurse Maria: Um, about six minutes.
Elizabeth Masterson: Thanks, I'll be right there.
Nurse Maria: OK, I'll be outside.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs I, Robot (2004)

Soundtrack:

Tomorrow

This couple does romantic really well

It has been a good season for romantic comedies. Earlier on Diane Lane and John Cusack proved that comedies didn't have to be stupid, as it was properly demonstrated in a recent sex comedy. Stick to the conventions, find people with good chemistry and good looks, and you might strike gold. Witherspoon has shown incredible amounts of charm in previous outings, and this time she is on fire. The amazing surprise is Mr. Ruffalo, as her smitten "friend". He is a pleasure to watch, matching Witherspoon scene by scene and stealing a few on his own. He has fantastic comedic timing and knows how to charm his audience.

The film itself will not break any grounds, instead it pays tribute to a few classics in the past. What it doesn't do is draw too much attention to itself by being too clever, dry, or indulge in the use of four-letter words gratuitous. It recalls comedies of the past, when characters were developed and actors work their magic on the screen.

There are a couple of interesting twists along the way, and some of the romantic scenes are lovingly shot and directed. The supporting cast is very effective, making the experience light and yet very fulfilling. A+