The Heavenly Kid Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Thou shalt be cool!
For Bobby to go Uptown, he must look into his heart.
1962 was a bad year for Bobby. First he drove 300ft over a cliff, then they wouldn't let him into heaven...
You never know who's looking out for you.
Back in the 60's, on a dark deserted highway, Bobby and his '57 Chevy bought it at 90 miles an hour. Today he's making a comeback.
When Bobby dies in a car accident he is not allowed to enter heaven but has to stay in one of the lower levels until he has worked enough as an guardian angel in order to deserve paradise. One of his jobs is Lenny, a gifted boy, who loves his schoolmate Sharon who is the most beautiful girl of the class. But she does not even notice him so that he is about to commit suicide. Bobby prevents this and dresses Lenny up making him a playboy and tough guy so that he gets what he wants although Bobby knows that this is not the best. Thinking that his job is done, Bobby realizes that Lenny's mother is his former girlfriend who has married another guy. Although not being allowed he makes himself visible to her...
| Lewis Smith | Bobby Fantana |
| Jason Gedrick | Lenny Barnes |
| Jane Kaczmarek | Emily Barnes |
| Richard Mulligan | Rafferty |
| Mark Metcalf | Joe Barnes |
| Beau Dremann | McIntyre, Bill |
| Stephen Gregory | Fred Gallo |
| Anne Sawyer | Sharon |
| Nancy Valen | Melissa |
| Chad Wiggins-Grady | Jerry |
| Scott Stone | Frank |
| William Kerwin | Suburbaner |
| Will Knickerbocker | Max |
| Harold Bergman | Mr. Finley |
| Cary Medoway |
5.30 out of 10 (1167 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Good Fun
posted on 09 Jan 2009Heavenly Kid, The (1985) *** (out of 4) Rebel Without a Cause and It's a Wonderful Life meet the 80s teen comedy in this film which is certainly very bad but I've enjoyed it for many years now. The film starts off in the late 1960's as the rebel (Lewis Smith) gets killed in a chicken race. Fast forward to the present day and the rebel must do a good deed before he can enter Heaven. That good deed just happens to be taking a dork (Jason Gedrick) and turning him into a winner. Everything about this film is rather campy and corny but I've been a fan of this film since I was a little kid and caught it on some station that I can't remember now. This was my first time watching the movie in at least ten years and I must say it did contain that nostalgic feel and I still enjoyed it. The film has some of the dumbest lines but they made me laugh. The story is stupid but it's still funny. The performances are all one note but I've always felt Lewis Smith was very funny because he's playing someone cool yet he really doesn't come off too cool.
yet another likable 80s teen pic
posted on 06 Jan 2009Bobby, a hotshot high-schooler from the 60s, ends up in the 80s to coach a dweebie kid into being a more confident, popular guy. I cant tell you how Bobby got there as it would spoil one of the films more dramatic moments, but I can say you should enjoy all the scenes dealing with his tutoring of Gedrick. He gives him a better look, hot wheels, and a little toughness to stand up to the jerks at school. Its executed pretty well and the pair make a good mismatch. The film also does a nice job when it has to be dramatic, as when Bobby has to deal with a few surprises. The ending is perfectly heartfelt without going over the line into sappiness as well. Great soundtrack, too, with a lot of nicely placed (though all unknown) songs to accentuate the scenes. A teen 80s film that got lost in the mix of so many of them, this belongs on the list of the good ones.
ThE bEsT mOvIe Of ThE 80's!!!you'll luv it
posted on 23 Oct 2008i was at a friends house when i first saw the movie. she wouldnt tell me what it was about only "you'll see". by the end of the movie i was begging to borrow her tape. i give it a 5 star rating, and that's alot to say b/c i am a very skeptical person. i am soo picky that you could almost call me "the brittish guy from american idol" get this movie i garentee you'll love it!!! - shortE
You won't forget this one!
posted on 29 Apr 2008I'm glued to the TV every time I'm lucky enough to catch this gem on cable. I've never caught this whole movie on TV, always somewhere in the middle and every time it captivated me. Did a little research and finally found out the name and now I'm going to buy the DVD. I mean, what can be better than an angel who drinks beer, smokes cigars and tries to teach an awkward kid how to be cool? The angel is a riot, kind of like a cross between Eddie Haskell and Fonzie. Rafferty is awesome too (the older guy from Soap who oversees the cool angel earning his wings) is a blast. There's a message in this movie as well, as the angel tries to teach the kid what is important in life. You can't beat this movie, guaranteed you will never forget it. Even look at the reviews of people who didn't like this movie, some said they couldn't stop watching in spite of not liking it. What's that tell you? Awesome heartwarming comedy, don't miss it.
A hidden 80's gem
posted on 05 Feb 2008This was light romantic comedy in the mid-80's that is a hidden gem. Imagine having to teach someone how to be cool and win over girls and the pearly gates open? That is one divine assignment that seems really hard for some and a piece of cake for others. The Heavenly Kid is one to watch when you want a movie you don't have to think too much about.
Too good not to be on DVD.
posted on 02 Oct 2007Despite being crippled by a low budget and a wretched soundtrack that makes you want to ram tree branches into your ears this film won me over with its charm.
Bobby is a cool Fonz-style greaser who dies in a racing accident sometime around 1968. Once in the afterlife he's is informed that he cannot get into Heaven unless he accomplishes an assignment. Bobby agrees and 17 years later he returns in Ft. Lauderdale assigned to help a "spazolla" named Lenny. Kinda sounds like an episode of "Highway to Heaven" doesn't it?
Filled with funny moments, a good story and some unbelievably bad clothes this is a great 80's time capsule that the entire family can enjoy. My favorite moment is right after his makeover when he goes out trying to impress girls. God, I laughed for two minutes when he shot those cigarettes across the room.
An Angel With Dirty Wings.
posted on 08 Jan 2007A kid (Lewis Smith) from the late-1960s (who appears to be from the 1950s due to his antics and wardrobe) dies one night in a chicken car race. He is unable to get into Heaven though because of his life on Earth so thus he goes back to the 1980s and tries to help a dorky high school student (Jason Gedrick) become popular and cool. Also along for the ride is Gedrick's mother/Lewis' old girlfriend (Jane Kaczmarek of "Malcolm in the Middle" fame) and motorcycle-riding guardian angel Richard Mulligan. So many plot holes and predictable twists stall this one pretty fast. Smith and Mulligan do what they can together, but they have elementary-styled aspects of film-making to work with. Everything else is not worth your time or effort. Not the worst film of the time period, but another one of those unwanted footnotes from the mid-1980s. 2 stars out of 5.
ONE OF THE BEST UNKNOWN FILMS OUT THERE
posted on 09 Jul 2006I first watched this movie back in high school and I watch it at least once a year or every time I see it come on tv. I'm so glad that it's now available on DVD because I've watched it so much that my VHS tape is so worn out by now!! I think the story and the surprises in this movie are fantastic. I just want to say to others that have written a review on this movie, please DO NOT tell the entire story for those that haven't had the opportunity to see it. When you tell all the secrets of the movie it spoils it for a first timer! Everyone knows that. Entice the people to buy it and let them enjoy it like we did :)
Great family viewing
posted on 19 Apr 2006I felt that it was clean, non violent and after all it was for family so it was nice to see it was catered in that direction. Taught the children to look out for others. I feel children learn a great deal off movies etc and by making good movies like this one it does make a difference to our children. The humour was great, and I think they choose well in the people that they had playing the roles. It didn't target any religion, it was opened minded so it was enjoyed by all, It is good to have movies back in the past to help you remember those good times and fun times. The movie made you look at yourself and wonder what you were really doing. An Excellent movie all round.
Oh.............
posted on 31 Aug 2005One of the best moments in the film is both times when Bobby is in the car about to run over the cliff, where he shouts his infamous "Oh Sh..!" catchphrase, adding hilarity to what would usually be considered a tragic situation. I think the movie is one of the classics of the 80s, from the cheesy special effects to the even cheesier dialogue. But it has a good lesson in the end, even though it is curtailed by endless attempts at visual amazement. The actress who plays Bobby's love interest doesn't seem to age a day from the first scene to the last, which supposedly takes place over at least 17 years. Even funnier is how the entire handcuff scene and locked door scene during the races are never explained. Grade A storytelling!
Excellent family movie
posted on 16 Aug 2005I have two sons who have watched this movie over and over. I enjoyed watching it with them. Even their dad watched it and enjoyed it. Yes, it is a family movie - If you are looking for a good movie that leaves you feeling good, this is it. The actors are excellent - WE JUST ENJOYED IT! Thanks.
So excited...
posted on 02 Jul 2005Finally this hidden 80's movie is coming out! For some very cool reason so far 2 of my favorite 80's movies are getting the DVD treatment this one and The New Kids! Wow, this is so great. The next one I'm hoping for is Modern Girls. Anyway, I have this movie on VHS but it plays horribly now. Now I can watch it perfectly again and again and again.
Good-hearted rainy-day teen flick
posted on 06 May 2009It is unfortunate that "The Heavenly Kid" became lost under the vast muddle of slick teen comedies that were so rampant during the mid 1980's. This film, which has a pre-"Malcolm In The Middle" Jane Kaczmarek, "Animal House's" Mark Metcalf, "Backdraft's" Jason Gedrick, and veteran actor Richard Mulligan, really shined through for me as an entertaining (yet predictable) dramedy on guardian angels.It is the story of a brash 1960's greaser named Bobby Fantana, amiably played by TV actor Lewis Smith, who meets an untimely demise in a drag race accident. Once transported into the Afterlife, Bobby teams up with his roguish, motorcycle-driving spectral mentor Rafferty (Mulligan) and discovers from him that he hasn't quite earned his right into Paradise, and the only way he can redeem himself is to undertake an earthly assignment in assisting the mortals. Fast forwarding to the 1980's, Bobby is given the dubious task of coaching Lenny Barnes (Gedrick), a gifted, gawky teen who is a popular target for the class bullies. It's up to him to befriend and guide the boy through his little life crisis, and he decides to transform Lenny into a cool, confident splitting-image of himself that soon gains the attention of his peers. All is fine until Lenny's newfound cockiness butts heads with his family and with two of his old tormentors, who finally challenge him to a drag race of their own. It's then up to Bobby to rectify the damage he has unintentionally done and save Lenny from repeating history while hopefully garnering his wings at last.Although many critics have scathed this film for a rather shallow, loopholed storyline, "The Heavenly Kid" does exude some attributes that I have come to enjoy over the years. The soundtrack is one of the best I've heard for an 80's teen flick; just love "Out on the Edge" during Bobby's fatal racing scene. Lewis Smith's performance gives a uniquely genial quality to his loner character that makes a sometimes funny "Odd-Couplesque" persona with both Gedrick and Mulligan. Seeing Bobby acclimate to the radically different 80's pop culture brings a laugh or two to myself! Finally, even though the ending is entirely predictable, it always leaves me feeling good inside, even on a bleak, rainy Saturday.It is also unfortunate that "The Heavenly Kid" has gone out-of-print in recent years! I was lucky enough to record it off of HBO this past summer for my collection, but I think it does deserve a chance for a VHS/DVD re-release. This is one comedy that the entire family can enjoy, provided there's no objection to some PG-13 based language and adult humor.