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Heaven Can Wait

Rich film with fine cast all around and a wonderful script from Beatty, May and Buck Henry. Warden is especially majestic as Beatty's best friend. While Mason is no Claude Rains, he does fine with Mr.Jordan. One of Beatty's best acted performances.

Heaven Can Wait

This film is for anyone who doesn't think a movie needs to be depressing or degrading to be good. It has many funny moments that still make me laugh out loud, but it also has romance and sports, too! And there's just a sweetness to it that you rarely find in movies. If you are not generally a Warren Beatty fan, let me say that I'm not, either. In fact, this is the only movie of his I've seen where I enjoyed his performance, but I loved him in this. Julie Christie is beautiful, of course, and there are many stellar supporting performances headed up by Charles Grodin and Dyan Cannon. I've never seen the original version of this story, but if the remake is any indication, it must have been something out of this world. This movie is suitable for the whole family, but that doesn't mean it's simple-minded. It's just so good it doesn't need a lot of bad language or sexual situations to hold it together.

Looking pretty good

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) is about to meet his demise in an accident. A heavenly escort (Buck Henry) plucks him from his body just be for he is dispatched. At the way station he refused to board for his finals destination, complaining the mistake was made. Sure enough Mr. Jordan (James Mason) finds out that the over zealous escort did not wait for the outcome which would not be fatal.


Now they must find him a new body because his old one had been cremated. Not finding an ideal match. He settles for a temporary, Leo Farnsworth; he is ambivalent at first until he meets a girl Betty Logan (Julie Christie) he wants to help. He also want's to get this body in shape for the Superbowl. The fun begins when he has to learn to be Farnsworth, his wife (Dyan Cannon,) and male secretary (Charles Grodin) "lovers" what to kill him.

Will they kill him?
Or will he make the Superbowl?
And what becomes of Betty?

This is based, and I must say much improved on a movie called "Here comes Mr. Jordon" from a play by Harry Segall. Jack Warden plays Joe's friend Max Corkle that ties all the Joe incarnations together.

8 Heads in a Duffel Bag - Dyan Cannon

Good Stuff

This is one of the better lightweight comedies of the 1970's, its a remake of an older film. A terrific cast, screenplay, and characters make this a film well worth seeing. Just sit back and relax, youre likely to enjoy it. 8 out of 10.

Saw it 3 times in one day!

When I was a kid, my dad took me to see this movie at the theatre, and we liked it so much we sat through it another two times. I saw it again recently, and I liked it just as well. I have never seen Dyan Cannon or Charles Grodin be as funny as they were in this movie before or since. I was too young to be a real Warren Beatty fan when this film came out, but it changed me into one immediately. No matter how many bad films he has done since, he will always be "Joe Pendleton" to me...

Good

A good movie about a quarterback who is prematurely yanked from his body before dying, and discovers his body has been cremated before they can put him back. Funny and good from start to finish, I recommend this movie to anyone who needs a good fantasy film.*** out of ****

Will Send You to Heaven

Before Warren Beatty decided that everything he does needs to be a political commentary, he used to be an actor who appeared movies that attempted to entertain people. If Heaven Can Wait is a fair representation of his talents, then it's a shame he didn't more of this kind of thing because he is really quite good at it. As Joe Pendleton, he is imminently likable but also quite strong willed and intelligent.


The story has been rehashed in many reviews so I'll skip the details here but suffice to say that it is fairly unique and very well-paced. The entire cast is perfectly chosen from the courtly James Mason to the hysterical Dyan Cannon to the lesser know Buck Henry... all seem like they were born to play their parts. The film is both funny and engaging, you will defintely be anxious to find out how it ends and that alone speaks well for the film. Heaven Can Wait gets my highest recommendation and I can only dream of a day when we see a romantic comedy with this level of intelligence again.

A pretty good remake of a Classic

I don't have much to say, I'm sorry. But I did see this version of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" when it was originally released. And just watched it again on AMC. I was entertained.But it cannot touch the original. Maybe it's just because the story's original telling so matched what was in the public consciousness of the 1930's and 1940's.It was a good retelling. But perhaps it needed to be updated further in certain aspects of it's psychology?Anyway, I hope, if anyone plans yet another version, they mend this little complaint of mine.

6.8 User Rating? Huh?

I just about fell out of my chair when I saw that this film only got a 6.8. This is a light entertainment classic and Beatty has never been better suited for a role. The dream supporting cast includes Dyan Cannon, Jack Warden, James Mason, Buck Henry, Charles Grodin, Vincent Gardenia ... and all are at the top of their game. Julie Christie's character (as the love interest) seems, at first glance, to be a bit underwritten, but her scenes with Beatty linger in the memory - especially the ending where Beatty, in a new body with his memory wiped out, sees this beautiful woman in the bowels of a deserted football stadium and struggles to remember what she meant to him.Growing up, I seem to recall that CBS or some major network used to show this once every year and it was hyped as a big event (this was just before the explosion of cable). I never got tired of watching it each year and it still holds up remarkably well.

A heck of a lot of fun.

I really like this motion picture. The combo of Warren Beatty and Julie Christie has always pleased me (my absolute favorite of theirs--and one of my favorite films, period, is "McCabe & Mrs. Miller"). What I think is special about "Heaven Can Wait" is the great supporting cast. All are wonderful and wonderfully funny. Some of the dialogue between Diane Cannon and Charles Grodin is side-splitting. James Mason plays the sophisticated guide, Mr. Jordan, to a tee, while Buck Henry's dry wit hits with pin-point accuracy. Jack Warden is always solid and this film was certainly no exception.

The only thing negative I can comment on is Julie Christie's role. Many parts of the screenplay failed her miserably, especially the scene where she was confronting Beatty (when he became Farnsworth) for the first time. As the scene played out, it felt like someone was running a fingernail across a chalkboard. Actually, Christie's role turned out to be minor compared to the others, and this is a shame. She is one of the most beautiful and talented actresses ever to grace the screen, and I felt her talents were wasted for much of the film. I also agree with the reviewer who didn't like her hair. Oh, well....

However, everything else is so good, and the performances so rich, that I can't help giving this movie a very solid 8 out of 10. If you want to watch a film with some real belly-laughs, this one doesn't disappoint. I think the last time I laughed this hard was when I watched "What's Up Doc?" (my type of humor, I guess....)

BEATTY HAS NEVER BEEN MORE LIKABLE!

I recently watched this film after not seeing it for at least a decade. It is just one of those movies you can watch whenever it comes on. Beatty is likable as the football pro who dies before his time and Julie Christie looks as good and as sexy as ever! Jack Warden is always welcome in any film. It still holds up today as a very good romantic/comedy. I guess I'm going to have to revisit Shampoo now. ;-b

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.

Heaven Can Wait, But Hell CAN'T (Something Was Really Wrong With The Whole 1970s !)

I liked : The elegant cinematography. The risqué white dress of (Dyan Canon) which she wore at the dinner scene (too too sexy to say the least !) and the fact of her being in it. (Julie Christie) in all of her scenes. The last scene in which (Beatty) holds (Christie)'s hand through the dark to see his face suddenly. The cute memorable music of (Dave Grusin ), especially the main theme. The suit of (James Mason). The authentic poster. And that's it !Actually the rest of the movie is whether weak or unfunny. Sure (Beatty) made finer movies as an actor or director. Originally he is the last human on earth to be in a comedy, so how about directing one AND starring in it too ! Moreover, I didn't like that script. It's inane at parts, slightly comic at others. The whole first accident is hollow and fabricated just to put (Beatty) into another personality. The irony of the main situation is wasted and chilly. Speaking of which, along with the old axiomatic fact of (Warren Beatty) as dead-meat- cold, I didn't understand (Mason)'s coldness ?? The great man looked like a talking corpse more than an angel ! Maybe being under the direction of (Beatty) it's ordinary to transform into dummy.. Sorry, let's say marionette ! I don't get it. The whole plot isn't that good in the first place, and they made it poorly too ??, the irritation becomes more and more with another remake later (Down To Earth), soon they'll have (No Heaven For You : The Tragedy of Sluggish Filmmakers !). I read once how the 1970s was "The dumb decade" ! I loved that very much. But I was confused. Why the 1970s has this bad reputation? Maybe it had been considered to have a lot of bad movies, fashions, and music (which I loved the most by the way). Like all the original definitions for : cheesy, chintzy, campy, or crummy were there. I think after the end of the 1960s there was a case of strong concussion all over everything. And everybody wasn't sure about what was already assured. Therefore let us change it all. With a lot of revolution and confusion. Consequently a lot of formulas lived a prerequisite, not always very successful, change. Some movies just played to be wholly another thing like European early work. Other movies were affected with the sudden success of the late 1960s' unusual some kind of realistic hits. And some – very miserable ones – tried hardly to make, or remake, the old glossy formulas yet unproductively and sketchier. Just review the number of the good genre movies from the 1970s that you've watched to grasp what I mean. The production of Disney is a perfect example. Anyhow the phoenix revived again, another equilibrium has been established, and the inauspicious decade was gone.Here, it's the old movie, the old movies. I think (Beatty) after some sexually bold movies at the start of the 1970s wanted a good introduction for the family audience. But even if he made it with a cartoon lead instead of him, sure it would've been livelier however still the steel "traditional" frame is surrounding it with more silly, less imaginative spirit. To look eventually like the white steam of the angels' airport : weakly shining, and obviously fake. Heaven can wait, but hell CAN'T, and that goes to (Beatty)'s hair cut, and inanimate face.P.S : If you know what was more wrong with that decade, just E-Mail me.

Second chances can be dangerous.

Do you ever feel guilty for enjoying a film? Perhaps you're just a little reluctant to admit you like it... Okay, I admit it I like "Heaven Can Wait". And this, despite the fact that it stars Warren Beatty who's performances usually make me want to weep, even in comedies. All I can say is that he really shines in this film. Mind you, he is helped tremendously by the supporting cast.

I was particularly taken with Julie Christie in the role of Betty Logan, a passionate environmentalist who has taken on a mission to stop industrialist Leo Farnsworth, (Beatty), from destroying a small community in England. Little does she know that Farnsworth died a short time before she met him. Leo's earthly role had been assumed by an unlucky footballer by the name of Joe Pendleton, snatched from life by an overzealous angel during a road accident.

If any of this sounds familiar, you may be remembering the original use of the story in the 1941 film, "Here Comes Mr. Jordan", starring Robert Montgomery. Short of Farnsworth being named Bruce instead of Leo, there is little to distinguish these two versions from one another. Even so, I prefer the 1978 version. It just seems to have more charm, more innocence.

It also has a touch of class, mainly due to the presence of James Mason, in the role of Mr Jordan, who has to step in and try to make thinks right with the prematurely breathless Joe. Joe is understandably miffed at his mistreatment since he and his team were due to play in the superbowl, Joe's one dream. Mr Jordan offers Joe a number of alternative routes back into the mortal realm. Each path involves taking on the life of a soon to be dead person. Sadly, nothing short of a star quarterback seems to satisfy Joe who eventually settles for a test-drive on the Farnsworth model; rich, powerful but not particularly athletic.

From that point on we are taken on a twin journey. On the one hand Joe, despite his new-found wealth, still has super-bowl ambitions. The first step in his plan is to buy his old team. The other path is prompted by the passions of Betty Logan. Farnsworth has to straighten up his corporate image to impress his new lady-love. This is not an easy task given the long list of atrocities his board is quite happy to see continue.

I suppose some of the attraction in the story comes from its reversal of our common dreams. Usually we dream of leaving our lacklustre existence and jumping into the swimming pool of the rich and famous. In this case, Joe does get the pool but he just wants to get his old life back. He is too good-natured to be trapped by the false idolatry offered by money.

We have the fun of watching him struggle back into his old shoes and take his disbelieving associates with him. In fact, his old coach Max Corkle, (Jack Warden), is one of the hardest to convince but eventually becomes one of Leo's/Joe's biggest supporters. Which is typical of the film. The story is fun but it's the character's friendships that keep us watching.

Geez!

I am a little shocked to see this movie with such a low rating. Maybe people will appreciate it more after Chris Rock's remake comes out. I found this movie to be incredibly entertaining, funny, and sweet. It is a wonderful love story that is hard not to like. The acting by a wonderful ensemble cast was great and I thought the story was very good, even though it is not original either. This is a great movie for a family to watch as well. It is a pretty clean movie that has a good message and an interesting story. I liked this movie a lot, a well deserved best picture nod by the Academy. 8/10.

"How you doin?"

Great movie, poor treatment by Paramount.

Beatty plays Ram's quarterback Joe Pendleton, recovering from a knee injury as he works his way back into a fight for the starting job, then unfortunately rides his bike into a tunnel but doesn't ride out the other end. We soon find out that he was destined to survive the accident, but was "taken out" by practicing angelic entity played by Buck Henry before the laws of probability and outcome could determine Joe's fate. An appeal is issued to management in the form of the magnificent James Mason as Mr.Jordon, who is left with the task of finding Joe a suitable body to make his return to earth in after we find that Joe's body was cremated before we could work out all the red tape at Heaven's departure terminal.


In the very small "What If You Died and Came Back" genre this is hands-down the best of the bunch. Beatty gets credit for bulking up for the role and amazingly has no credibility issues with the casual audience as an aspiring pro QB with eyes on a shot at the Super Bowl. His natural comic timing and comfort zone chemistry with Julie Christy make this film a real keeper. The contributions by deadpan Charles Grodin and the freneticly delicious Dyan Cannon wiil have you howling in laughter.

Now the bad news. Paramount gets no props for this DVD release. The colors are there, but some scenes actually look like they'd been colorized with others blurry, dark, grainy, and out of focus. As if that weren't bad enough, the audio is frequently out of sync...you know, when the spoken words dont match with movements? I found that rather maddening in spots. The sound is OK but there's nothing but dialogue and clarinet music so who cares. Dont look for extras, they're not there.

5 solid stars for the movie, 2 pitiful stars for the DVD.

Touching

Despite some illogical plotlines, this movie is solid entertainment and deserves strong accolades for the entire cast. I thought James Mason and Buck Henry were particularly effective. The film in genuinely moving and touching and has a particularly sad moment in the lockeroom in the aftermath of the big game when Beatty's character no longer shares the knowledge with his old friend (wonderfully played by Jack Warden) that he is still Joe Pendleton. Nice whimsical soundtrack.

a romantic classic.

I remember as a kid, I loved this movie. I had seen it in the theatre and liked it so much I saw it again! I think the appeal here is the same as in many of these types of films-it's a sweet whimsical fairytale of a movie that is pure entertainment but manages to be lovely without being corny at the same time. There aren't to many movies like this around now. Of coarse, not having seen this since I was a child who knows whether I'd still be such a fan but at that time, I wept buckets and since it was one of the first films that I saw that stuck with me, I have fond memories of it.People shouldn't put this movie down for realism or not having realism etc. It's a fantasy type movie. It's the type of movie you know your wtavhing a movie while you watch it but you cry anyway! I don't think this movie can be dismissed as being lightweight or unimportant. Where would film be without romance? This is up there in that category and many I know feel the same. It's a breath of fresh air and should be seen by anyone who likes warm sentimental (yeah OK sappy!!) movies!

My Favorite Movie...

I was six years old when I saw this film in the theatre and was instantly affected. When it was over, I knew my life's ambition. To become a saxophone playing football quarterback, and fall in love with a beautiful English girl. Well, I never played football or anything more musical than the kazoo, but I still love beautiful English girls, with Christie at the top of my list. I won't go into detail about the plot of the film, other reviewers have done that and mine would pale in comparison. I'll just say that this is a funny, easy film to like with Beatty giving his most mannered comedy performance, with able support by the always funny Grodin, the hit and miss Cannon (who's very on here) the enjoyable Warden and the great James Mason. Add to all this the fact that Julie Christie alone makes any film watchable for me, and I think it's clear that I'm not the most unbiased of reviewers. But still, I love this movie.

Sorry, it stinks

I really don't understand the schmaltzy sentimentality over this clunker. I thought it was terrible when my cousins dragged me to see it back when I was 7 years old; I just saw it again at age 32, and it hasn't improved with age. Beatty was wooden as ever, Christie is a fawning mess, and... heck with it, I'm not going to waste more of my time. ZERO out of *****.