Just Like Heaven Movie
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Storyline
TAGLINES
It's a wonderful afterlife.
Love will bring you back
Elizabeth Masterson (Reese Witherspoon), a dedicated Doctor in San Francisco, had almost no time for anything. When her sister with two kids set her up on a date, she gets into a tragic car crash and gets in a coma. Meanwhile, an artist named David Abbott (Mark Ruffalo) moves into San Francisco and coincidentally, into Elizabeth's apartment for rent. While at the apartment, Elizabeth's spirit haunts him. She doesn't remember who she is, who her family is, and what she did - All that she remembered was her apartment and where everything was. To settle the arguments, Dacid agrees to figure out who Elizabeth really is. When they get close to figuring out who she is, they eventually find love in each other and as they finally know who she really is, they learn that fate really has put them both together.
| Reese Witherspoon | Elizabeth Masterson |
| Mark Ruffalo | David Abbott |
| Donal Logue | Jack Houriskey |
| Dina Spybey | Abby Brody |
| Ben Shenkman | Brett Rushton |
| Jon Heder | Darryl |
| Ivana Milicevic | Katrina |
| Rosalind Chao | Fran |
| Chris Pflueger | Tom Brody |
| Kerris Dorsey | Zoe Brody |
| Alyssa Shafer | Lily Brody |
| Ron Canada | Dr. Walsh |
| Caroline Aaron | Grace |
| Gabrielle Made | Nurse Maria |
| Shulie Cowen | Nurse Jenny |
| Mark Waters |
6.90 out of 10 (13330 votes)
Visitor Reviews
What saved this movie is Witherspoon's performance. She had two roles. One before the accident and one as her spirit.
posted on 22 Aug 2009A lonely architect falls for the spirit of a young beautiful woman who before used to live in his apartment before a fatal accident that transported her into the netherworld. He later wants to find out who this woman is and wants to discover her past. Reese Witherspoon stars in this film along with Mark Ruffalo. Reese Witherspoon saved this movie with her likable performance. She has a cute face and a cute smile and she made this movie work. I personally thought this movie was alright in its own way. It was original and had a few laughs throughout.I really liked Reese Witherspoon's performance. Let me say that it was like she had two roles in the film. At the beginning, she seemed like your everyday typical female. She is a nurse at a local hospital and she cares a lot about her patients. Ater she has the accident and she meets Ruffalo's character, it seems as if she is a different woman and she is playing a different role, and that is what I liked. I actually saw this movie after her 2005 Acadamy Award win for "Best Actress," and I just discovered that she is a great actress.Just Like Heaven is a nice film,it had a great story and it was original. I feel that people should see this movie and I know that they will enjoy it. Before seeing it, I didn't think that I would like it, and I did. 7.5/10/
One of the best romantic comedies...light and fluffy and FUN!!
posted on 20 Aug 2009Just Like Heaven was a real treat...really, really well done!! Mark Waters has a genuine amount of talent and has done some terrific work in his short span as a director. His films aren't award winning, they aren't jaw droppingly spectacular...like Just Like Heaven, they are light and fun and warm hearted and there is nothing wrong with that at all!! After directing Lindsay Lohan to two terrific films (Freaky Friday, and Mean Girls) and the critically trashing but decent enough Head Over Heels I think Mark Waters has a knack for romance, fun comedy and bringing out the best in his stars.Reese Witherspoon stars as the seemingly departed Dr. Elizabeth Masterson. Stars is an understatement I mean Witherspoon knows how to flawlessly carry a film, do comedy, romance and on top of it all is an incredible actress as proved by her recent Academy Award but even in something light and fluffy like this she absolutely shines!! She is hilariously funny, cute, strong, and could perform this film with her eyes closed. She has the greatest lines and delivers comedy like a pro. She makes this film what it is and I think her effort and talent combined with Waters as a director brought out even the best in the usually overly sullen Mark Ruffalo who co-stars as Elizabeth's reluctant helper David Abbott. Ruffalo actually comes out of his usual shell to play an emotional and moving performance and a good leading man. The chemistry between Ruffalo and Witherspoon is still a little shallower than I would have liked for such a strong movie but it's still good and Ruffalo does a good job. The one performance I think the film could have done without is the shameless use of Napoleon Dynamite Jon Heder. Heder might be a good actor, we will never know because he's always be and always perform as Napoleon Dynamite, which is not performance at all. Although his character is somewhat important he is sparsely used and when he is it's just for some Napoleon laugh breaks so I feel sorry for him actually. The supporting cast are all great but this film absolutely revolves around Witherspoon and Ruffalo and that's all that is required.Just Like Heaven is almost a lighter, fluffier version of Ghost, one of the great love stories of all time. It's a must see for romance lovers or for a date movie...you don't get better than this because everyone will genuinely enjoy something from this film. It's laugh out loud fun and a real treat!! I can give one small bit of criticism is I felt that the romance blossoming between Elizabeth and David was a little rushed but even still it didn't ruin the film. It also broke the mold slightly from typical romances having the main female basically invisible. The usual "best friend" characters took a back seat role to the story. Nonetheless you must see this!! It's one of the better ones out there right now and it's IMDb's film of the day right now!! 8.5/10
Just..excellent
posted on 14 Aug 2009In difference with the previous comment,when I went to see this movie I was a bit disappointed.Although I was "flying in Heaven" when i came out of the cinema.I have to say that the movie was very romantic with many scenes of humors that are worth of laughing.Reese Witherspoon & Mark Ruffalo was the best option for this film,which have the audience in follow-up.All of the people of the audience were very emotional cause the movie made everyone cry & laugh.The story is good with not many unpredictable scenes,but are worth making! So If a movie of laughing,crying and fantasy is what you want,this is the best selection.
Food For the soul, just the thing to bring a smile to your face
posted on 27 Jul 2009The movie "Just Like Heaven", is an aptly titled,beautiful representation, of love at all levels, ethereal even, a statement that love can happen at the oddest of times , in the most inexplicable of circumstances. I seem to recall a book with a similar storyline, however the film is a much better soother. The acting is excellent , all the actors put in splendid efforts, not just the 2 lead actors, all the sidekicks as well, including the strange boy from the library.Very moving, and makes you believe in basic goodness of people, in a world where cynicism, has overshadowed all else. The gardens and technical aspects of the movie are also very pleasing. Kudos to the cast and crew for a great movie!!One of the very few movies nowadays, well worth remembering; that can be viewed over and over again.
A delightful romantic comedy
posted on 25 Jul 2009Mark Ruffalo plays David, a depressed former landscape gardener still mourning his wife's death two years earlier, who finds something strange in the apartment he rents - the spirit of its former occupant, played by a feisty Reese Witherspoon (Elizabeth). Elizabeth doesn't exactly know who she is, or how she came to be a spirit, and eventually enlists David's help in finding out. Ruffalo's almost deadpan depressive contrasts nicely with Witherspoon's hyperactive persona, particularly in those scenes where she is invisible to everyone else. There are fine supporting performances from Dina Waters, Donal Logue, and Jon Heder, with plenty of physical comedy and action capers thrown in for good measure. This is a well made, entertaining and heart-warming fantasy, in which Ruffalo gets a chance to flex his comedic muscle and Witherspoon shines.
Should've been a Thriller
posted on 15 Jul 2009This film doesn't work as a romantic comedy. Period. In the making of the film on the DVD, the director speaks about the original concept, based on a french novel. It sounds like a cool premise. That is, until the director and writers turned this into man-loves-spirit spirit-falls-for-man romantic comedy.If you've seen the film, think about the same premise, but instead as an thriller a la Sixth Sense. The tone should be dark - not light and frilly like most romantic comedies. Scrap the pathetic attempts at humor, or physical comedy (bar scene). And as a thriller, the "caper" scene at the end might seem more plausible.Haley Joel Osment in Sixth Sense did a respectable job pulling off how one might really act if troubled by spirits. I'm not a huge fan of Osment, but when comparing the two roles, Osment is far more convincing than Ruffalo. Or perhaps Shyamalan far outclasses director Mark Waters.Witherspoon's appearance in every scene was overkill, too. Let's see more depth to the characters. Let's see Ruffalo living out his regular life, troubled by the happenings in his apartment.Maybe the producers/director realized they couldn't pull off a decent film, so decided to slap romantic comedy on the treatment and know they could get away this...
The best of its kind since "Ghost"
posted on 11 Jul 2009This movie was just released in Korea and I went to see it this evening, having waited patiently since it came out in the US. I knew from the trailers it was a good film, and I wasn't disappointed. The chemistry between the leads is fantastic and the storyline is dramatic toward the end. This one really made me feel good - that there is someone out there for everyone, sometimes in the most unlikely places. Many tears were in evidence in the theater. Reese Witherspoon ably handles romantic comedy in the Meg Ryan tradition! In fact, they'd be great in a film together as sisters. Mark Ruffalo has now had the enviable position of working with both these ladies, but this film certainly has more beauty, style and class than "In the Cut" ever did - he is one great actor! Watch this with your special someone and cuddle close after watching.
A Terrific Movie
posted on 11 Jul 2009I just saw this flick. Sunday nights can be stinkers on cable, but I gave it a shot anyway. I can now officially say that I'm in love with Reese Witherspoon. She is a great actress. Rufallo did an equally superb job. The story, sort of a cross between "Topper" and "City of Angels" is well written, incredibly acted and wonderfully told. The "dude" who plays the psychic is a classic. There are some great spoofs on other movies that deal with the supernatural as it were, but intertwined with some pretty funny stuff is a story about love and possibility. This movie couldn't have been better if Hepburn and Grant did it. And when you see it, you may wonder if maybe it's possible that they DID.
Likable and very well written, but not memorable
posted on 05 Jul 2009It was good, but only thanks to Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, who were great in their clichéd roles. The direction was exactly what you would expect. The dialogue and writing were very sharp and funny, and helped make some of the movie's more annoying scenes less so. This is one of those movies where you sit back and say, Okay, I believe that this could ever happen. Like Ghost, you need to forgot how smart you are. You need to accept that ghosts and the like are real. If you can do that, Just Like Heaven shows two good looking people falling in love against their will (why is it always so hard, by the way?) but in a way that's more unique than the typical rom com formula. That said, the movie won't leave a lasting impression.... and it's also frustrating in the end (kind of like a let down) when we realize the happy ending isn't going to be 100% happy. If you like romantic comedies that ask you be very accepting and maybe even a little stupid, this is one of the best.
Enjoyable Romantic comedy.
posted on 17 Jun 2009Surrounded by Ladies, I get to see my fair share of romantic films. This is a nicely filmed - simple tale - that has enough of a plot twist to keep you interested.The ending is fairly predictable but is nevertheless well executed. Jon Heder very nearly steals the film but - unfortunately - his appearances are not long enough to steal the film from the two stars.Overall a nice family film without gratuitous violence or nudity that leaves a definite "feel good" factor after watching it. Not quite as good as Ghost in my humble opinion but one to definitely rent and watch with the Ladies in your life.
Close to Heaven
posted on 17 Jun 2009A delightful romantic comedy with ample helpings of the best parts of some other films of this genre. We can see bits of "Ghost", "Heaven Can Wait", the 'Topper' films, and many others. What allows this one to join that company is the wonderful performances of the two stars and the great chemistry between them. The film is helped as well by a great supporting cast.And, so rare these days, it is a tasteful outing, with no overt sex, profanity, and it never resorts to the low road of toilet humor so depressingly popular of late. A+ to Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo.The film has truly romantic moments, beautiful cinematography, gentle but thoughtful character development. When it begins to perhaps head a bit over the top, the film-makers wisely bring it quickly back to earth and allow some reality to take hold, without losing the air of fantasy.And you can watch it with the kids!
so sweet!
posted on 11 Jun 2009i loved this movie, Reese Witherspoon is the coolest actress on the planet. everything she does is awesome! but this movie was better than awesome, specially the ending. you have to watch it!! everyone i know in my hometown in Texas loves Reese and all her movies. i agree with them! i love her, and Just Like Heaven is the best romantic comedy i've seen in probably forever. it's a great movie to watch with your girlfriends or the typical first date with that guy you really like. the first time i saw it, it just made me so happy and it made me believe in love at first sight and true love. I can't even pick my favorite scene cause they're all perfect. Just Like Heaven won't disappoint you, trust me! i've seen it over ten times and i'm still amazed every time i see it!
So many plot holes
posted on 09 Jun 2009There was so much wrong with this movie! Sometimes a few holes are fine in a movie, but this one has so many its ridiculous. First of all there is the kinda disturbing fact that it is all about a guy falling in love with a girl in a coma. Second there is the scene at the end of the movie where Mark Ruffalo is STEALING Reese Witherspoon's nearly lifeless body and nearly kills her by pulling out her breathing tube. He then breaks free from the arms of the security guards and starts making out with what becomes a lifeless body. He is then tackled again until she wakes up when he is once again let go. Mark runs to the body and Reese Witherspoon's character has no idea who he is. The strangest part of this already creepy scene is that the guards LET HIM GO! A strange man just tried stealing a body, make out with it, then in the end, a man who has been posing as her boyfriend ends up being a complete stranger is allowed to go free. After this, Mark's character decides to basically stalk Reese's character for a few weeks (not creepy at all). This leads to what is probably the creepiest scene in the whole movie. Mark's character starts to break into Reese's house through an extra key and remodels her roof into a garden. If hes able to get to her roof and do major construction work without her knowledge then whats going to stop him from watching her shower and sleep! Of course her reaction to the guy who was making out with her body when she woke up and is now caught breaking into her house is, "umm give me back my key" not a normal reaction which would be "Holy crap! I'm calling the police! Get out!" Anyway, the only fun I had watching this movie was making jokes about it with my friends. Don't watch this movie...unless you're into watching absolute crap.
A half-decent romantic comedy/date film/chick flick
posted on 09 Jun 2009Sure, it's sappy and maybe even a chick flick, but what's wrong with a good chick flick? I'll take that anytime over a movie like War of the Worlds that is so full of special effects and senseless killing that it lacks real emotion. At least you care about the characters in this movie and they really seem to care for each other. Reese Witherspoon and David Ruffalo seem perfectly cast and perfect for each other. Yes, it borrows from lots of other films, including Ghost and even Ghostbusters (really!), not to mention a liberal and hugely funny dose of Napolean Dynamite himself. (OK, so it's Jon Heder, but honestly, we all know who he REALLY is.) In fact, the crowd I was with roared with delight when he first appeared on the screen. Bottom line, this is strictly for people who want to be entertained with a light but decent romantic comedy. I would compare it to You've Got Mail (or the Meg Ryan/Julia Roberts movie of your choice). If you liked that movie (and I did), I think this movie will fill that same space. It's kind of like chocolate. It may not be good for you, but a little of it every once in a while won't hurt and satisfies a certain craving.
Just Like Heaven
posted on 28 May 2009Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon are both excellent, but sometimes when two astounding actors act opposite one another, a movie flops-- this is not such a movie. Just Like Heaven is the best movie I have seen all year. These two actors put all they've got into their performances, and it shows. The movie is sweet, it has a fairy-tale feel, which is comforting in an uncertain world. The chemistry between Reese and Mark is amazing and the story is unusual and entertaining. The plot is fairly predictable, but the audience is thrown a few curve balls. There is uncanny humor, yet the movie maintains a poignant sense of reality. I give Just Like Heaven 10 out 10 stars.
Not Exactly Heaven but no hell neither
posted on 26 May 2009The film "Just Like Heaven" is not exactly "The Cure" for the September Movie blues, but it does bring a needed romantic-comedy remedy to the somber September cinematic season. Reese Witherspoon stars as Elizabeth Masterson, an aspiring medic who inadvertently dies in an automobile accident. Elizabeth, who is accustomed to be treated like a Queen, cannot fathom the fact that she is dead when she encounters David Abbot played by Mark Ruffalo. He is the heartbroken loner who has leased her former apartment. Their relationship starts in a bickering mode or very close to resembling an Abbot & Costello routine but a predictive romance soon blossoms. She spins him round and round with confusion on whether she is "dead or alive". The film's thematic elements are similar to the Swayze-Moore classic "Ghost", but "Just Like Heaven" had a certain afterlife taste which "Ghost" did not embody. Why you ask? A major reason was because of Reese's pieces! Witherspoon continues her silver spoon streak as the spunkiest actress working in films today. She was heavenly! However, the scene-stealer of "Just Like Heaven" was not Sweet Reese. It was none other that the righteous brother himself Jon Heder. Heder, most notably known as Napoleon D., was once again Kid Dynamite with his acting. Heder plays Darryl, a spiritual book store clerk who has subdued Cosmo powers. He aids David in recognizing the signs of our Spirit Queen Elizabeth. Ruffalo did not hold to par as Miss W or Heder but his work was impressive enough for moviegoers to see films "Where the Ruffalo Roams". I do commend Director Mark Waters for his inventiveness in the spiritual scenes, but also criticized his uninventiveness in the romantic scenes. What mostly hampered "Just Like Heaven" was the formulaic screenplay of Peter Tolan & Leslie Dixon. It was Just like Screenplay Hell! In retrospect, "Just Like Heaven" is not a godly flick but it's recommendable enough for you to save your "Pennies from Heaven" and head on that stairway, I mean roadway to a theatre playing "Just Like Heaven". *** Average
Ghost
posted on 24 May 2009No sooner has David Abbott moved into his sublet apartment in San Francisco when he begins seeing a ghost. He is not scared because he likes what he sees: a beautiful young woman who wants to get his attention in helping her. Since the apartment is a rare find, David decides to stay. Elizabeth, the young woman who comes in and out of his life, seems to be suffering from a case of amnesia because she doesn't seem to remember much of what happened to her.Elizabeth true identity surfaces casually one day when David enters a fancy restaurant. A man who is having dinner collapses on the floor and Elizabeth guides him to do the appropriate procedure that saves the man's life. It's clear that Elizabeth had been a doctor in a nearby hospital. What David discovers is another Elizabeth in a coma, attached to a respirator. The ambitious Dr. Rushton, who is seen bragging about his new car on the phone has done well when he inherited Elizabeth position.David falls in love with the ghost who suddenly becomes real and who he plans to help by kidnapping her from a sure death because Elizabeth didn't believe in being kept alive on a respirator.Mark Waters, a director who seems to deliver good entertaining films, shows, once again, he is a man who clearly knows what to do to make us like his movies. Working with the screen play by Peter Tolan and Leslie Dixon, he creates a romantic film, even if it keeps reminding the viewer of other films with the same premise.Reese Witherspoon proves once again why she is one of the sunnier stars working in movies these days. She has such an easy time projecting positive vibes into her Elizabeth, that any movie that capitalizes on her presence is a winning one. Mark Ruffalo, another excellent actor, makes the most with his David Abbott. The others in the cast do a great job supporting the stars and include the wonderful Ben Shenkman, Donald Logue and Dina Spybey, among others."Just Like Heaven" is a light entertainment enhanced by Reese Witherspoon and expertly directed by Mark Waters.
There's like this cancer causing ray of spirit hate searing right towards your body.
posted on 22 May 2009Who remembers a film made in 1990 that literally swept the nation and awarded Whoopi with her one and only Oscar? Unchained Melody coupled with a new romantic way to create pottery, does that ring a bell to any of you film aficionados out there? For those that have ever had the opportunity to turn TBS on any given night will know that the film of which I speak about is the "Back when Swayze was Swayze" film called Ghost. Apparently, we, as a film viewing audience, have completely forgotten about that film and needed a void filled in our movie watching lives in which Hollywood revamped, updated, and regurgitated it back to a newer generation (those born post-1990) in the form of Just Like Heaven. While there were some minor changes (aka Ruffalo replacing Swayze), and a completely modern ending, what we were left with was just Ghost with a face lift. With transparent characters, a convoluted plot that ended as it opened, and actors hired for mere face dollar, Just Like Heaven proved that it was "Just Like (insert anything here)". Apparently leaving any form of originality and creativity behind, director Mark Waters only proved that upon watching repeat viewings of the film Ghost, crippling great bands like "The Cure" with embarrassing remakes, and giving Mark Ruffalo an undeserved leading role, Just Like Heaven felt like a generic rip-off instead of a brand name.Just Like Heaven's downfall was that it was too cute, too formulaic, too generic, and completely uneventful. As I watched the digital timer on my DVD player slowly reach an hour and a half, I kept wondering when this film was going to finally do or say something that was original. From the work-a-holic character of Reese Witherspoon to the completely unmatched Mark Ruffalo following the trail down towards the Ghost-like plot, and finally ending with a climax that felt plagiarized, nothing in this film was enjoyable. It became very obvious early in the film that even Jon Heder was employed only to bring those Napoleon Dynamite fans into the theater. He had one of the worst "catch-phrases" imaginable and used that same line to demolish any level of dignity that this film was hoping to end with. By the end of this film, I felt like someone tried to "hard sell" me the film. To put it even better, I think what disappointed me the most was the title. I felt like someone just sold me a machine called "Waffle Sensations", but it had nothing to do with waffles.I am extremely upset with Reese Witherspoon. From everything that I have heard about her performance in Walk The Line, she is sure to win Oscar gold this year, but how can anyone respectively walk up to get their statuette with any honor after knowing that they made a film called Just Like Heaven. Reese has to be disappointed with her choices after this film. As she attempted to play "cute" to the audience, what actually came through the film was annoying. She was as transparent as a "ghost" could be both with her character and her overall point in the film. She randomly walked from room to room giving us no justification for anything that she did. Suddenly, this spirit confined to the apartment, which Ruffalo is in, can make her way to the bar, into Ruffalo's body, to a hospital miles away, and even throughout San Francisco. I think this film would have worked more if she weren't so mobile. Nearly midway through the film, I forgot she was a ghost. How bad is that? Then, there is Ruffalo. Oh, it is not easy for me to say, but this film was not his cup of tea. How can one go from making powerful independent films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and In the Cut, and suddenly expect audiences to lend their heart to him this film. I realize he was in 13 Going On 30, but I thought the poor box-office receipts of that film would put an end of Ruffalo as a leading man. Alas, I guess Hollywood proved me wrong again. Witherspoon and Ruffalo were completely mismatched from the beginning, and it hurt this film. We needed strong characters to get us through the hardships, but instead we had these cardboard actors just walking through the motions. It was embarrassing and only bored us completely.Director Mark Waters had so much opportunity to create a very mellow, somewhat sad, yet completely humorous film. The points were there, no matter how much they resembled Ghost, but how Waters failed was that he could not bring everything together with enough strength. He didn't know how to balance the comedy and dramatic side to this story. You could instantly see this when Heder and Logue made their appearance on screen. Waters needed funny characters, cliché actors, to round out his story. If he would have instead hired funnier actors for the title roles, I believe he would have found himself with a decent little film. Instead, go with big names, supplement the humor to Heder and Logue because you know those will have the better lines and bring more into the theater. Waters failed as a director and he only has another forgettable romantic comedy to speak for.Overall, I thought this was not a great film. Sure, listening to "The Cure" will give it one additional star, but outside of that there is nothing redeeming in this film. Unshaved Ruffalo? Give it to me in the form of a great indie film and it will pack me into the theaters each time, but this cliché story was nothing more than a Ghost knock-off. I felt like I was shopping at Wal-Mart for name brand fashions. I am sorry, but Just Like Heaven played it safe, cute, and predictable, and will be forgotten before the end of the year.Grade: ** out of *****
Lots of fun to watch
posted on 18 May 2009The average viewer, including all so-called "critics" would call this a comedy fantasy since it's about a landscape architect grieving over his late wife. He falls in love with the spirit of a pretty medical center physician who used to live in his new apartment in San Francisco.As a former San Franciscan I was tickled to a large smile by the various switches of shot locations as the building supposedly housing the apartment which was one block from where I used to live on Russian Hill had its rooftop off on Nob Hill a mile South East of that location.At the bottom line this is a charming film that can be accepted as fantasy but its metaphysics (with just a few provisos and qualifiers) are accurate. To those of us who have burned the midnight candle studying the nature of human existence at the scientific, (empirical) level it's not fantasy but fact and experienced by humanity, world-wide, throughout history.That aside the script is nicely crafted, tight and its storyline well developed and professional, a rarity in Hollywood these days. The leads, Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo are competent and engaging. Mark Ruffalo, an actor that most will think simply appeared from thin air is here seen in what is more than likely his star breakthrough film after a decade of being invisible in most films in which he has appeared. He has worked on five more after this that are either completed waiting for release or in the various production phases.As for the film, like Frank Capra once told me, "The most successful and enduring film is one that rides on top of a love story." While this is not one of the magnificent love stories, it's heartwarming and a great deal of fun to watch: recommended without any qualifications.
Sweet and solid, but hardly brilliant
posted on 22 Aug 2009Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo are two very talented performers. Witherspoon always brings a keen intelligence to her roles. Witness the likes of Cruel Intentions and especially Election. While Mark Ruffalo is an intuitive actor with talent to spare. He was marvellous in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and offered stellar support in the supremely stylish Collateral.So I greeted Just Like Heaven with some fairly high expectations. Not just because of the presence of Witherspoon and Ruffalo, but the man in the director's chair was Mark Waters. Although a man who specialises in light, frothy entertainment, his films nearly always have an endearing quality to them. Like the charming remake of Freaky Friday, and the one really good film on his resume, the extremely witty Mean Girls. A superior teen movie as sharp as an icepick.Unfortunately, Just Like Heaven is a sadly lesser film than Freaky Friday and Mean Girls. Its not that its an unlikable film. It gets by smoothly enough, and the two leads give it all they've got, but its just so undemanding. The theme of a mortal and a spirit companion has been done to death by Hollywood. And to his credit, Waters does find a few novel inventions on that tried and true method. He just fails to make fantasy fly with joy the way he was able to in Freaky Friday.Witherspoon is Dr Elizabeth Masterson, one of St Matthews' best and brightest. After pulling a 26 hour shift, she gets in a car accident. Shortly after, David Abbott (Ruffalo) moves into Elizabeth's apartment. He's barely signed the lease when Elizabeth turns up alive and well, sort of. She's now a spirit, and only David can see her. With no memory of who she is, she must rely on David to help piece together her forgotten self, and they end up falling for each other in the process.I think if it weren't for the winning performances of Witherspoon and Ruffalo, Just Like Heaven would be pretty disposable stuff. They at least have decent chemistry, even if they're mutual attraction seems a little false at times. For example, I never believed David for a moment when he shouts out "I love you" to Elizabeth.And David and Elizabeth's exploits provide no more than amiable fare. In fact that's the main problem with Just Like Heaven. Its purely amusing. Nothing more. Compare David and Elizabeth's adventures to Whoopi Goldberg and Patrick Swayze's in Ghost, and you will recognise the differences.But its still quite watchable all the same. The script is more than workable, and the stars make sure it navigates a steady course. Tepid dialogue practically sings when it comes out of Reese Witherspoon's mouth, and even the trickier ones are a success too:"She's got "all aboard" tattooed on her ass in three languages."But I'm not sure if comedy is Mark Ruffalo's forte. Or maybe its just when its of the romantic kind. But I don't think he's very well suited to rom-coms. He performs gamely, but as with 13 Going on 30, he always looks uncomfortable when having to work with such fluffy, innocuous material. He's an actor who likes to be challenged. He likes to be put through his paces. The loopy dimensions of Eternal Sunshine allowed him to do that. Just Like Heaven doesn't.Ruffalo and Witherspoon have an easygoing appeal between the two of them. But the film could have made more out of its potential. Ghost got a tremendous amount of mileage out of its conceit by pairing up an aptly cast Patrick Swayze with the delightful Whoopi Goldberg. They made for an inspired odd couple, and between the two of them carried Ghost right to the finish line.But Just Like Heaven only cruises by in neutral. It's practically crying out for a wackier, more hysterical tone. And Waters never realises that. Strange considering the physical gymnastics he put Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan through in Freaky Friday. Like the scene when Elizabeth possesses David in a bar. You could imagine what Jim Carrey or Steve Martin could have done with that scene. In fact Martin's All of Me is a perfect example. It gets right what JLH gets so wrong. And I'm afraid Ruffalo is a poor substitute. Slapstick just isn't his thing. Waters has cast the wrong actor for this mould.But JLH has its pleasures in other ways. I did like the twist the film springs on us at the three quarters mark. Elizabeth isn't really dead. She's in a coma, but her consciousness is displaced. And they have to reintegrate her with her body before the hospital pulls the plug on her. I never saw that development coming. But the finale, now that I did see coming.Once Elizabeth is back in her body, she forgets all about David. But in the very last scene just as David is about to move on, can you guess what happens? If you can't, then you're a bit dim. Its an ending so hoary, I almost punched a hole in the wall.Just Like Heaven does feel like a step down after Mark Waters' previous films. Witherspoon and Ruffalo do they're best, but this isn't really the vehicle for them. They're capable of delivering so much, but the film's material sadly doesn't allow them that chance.