Heaven Can Wait (1978)

Featured Audience Ratings

• AJ V

  
  Does the story sound familiar? Yes, it's been played around with in many films, but this one is good too. The movie has a good cast, and is directed by Warren Beatty as well. This movie has good comedy, and it's enjoyable.

• Tim S

  
  I know this movie has been done umpteenth amount of times, but this one is good because of the cast. Warren Beatty is stellar as always and he has his old buddy Jack Warden and the beautiful Julie Christie at his side, so you forget the plot holes that you could drive a fleet of Mack… More
  I know this movie has been done umpteenth amount of times, but this one is good because of the cast. Warren Beatty is stellar as always and he has his old buddy Jack Warden and the beautiful Julie Christie at his side, so you forget the plot holes that you could drive a fleet of Mack trucks through. Felt the movie was a little rushed at certain points, but overall, very funny (especially Charles Grodin and Dyan Cannon who have some of the best bits in the whole film). Liked it, but pales in comparison to other Beatty classics.

• Chris G

  
  The reluctant ghost is a tried and true tale in Hollywood and it repeated itself in 1978's Heaven Can Wait, a film that was a remake of 1941's Here Comes Mr. Jordan and had a backbone made of its star Warren Beatty. The film is about the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams… More
  The reluctant ghost is a tried and true tale in Hollywood and it repeated itself in 1978's Heaven Can Wait, a film that was a remake of 1941's Here Comes Mr. Jordan and had a backbone made of its star Warren Beatty. The film is about the quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams Joe Pendleton (Beatty) who appears to get into a fatal accident causing an angel (Buck Henry) to pull Joe from his body and take him to a weigh station for heaven. The problem is that it isn't Joe's time, so a higher authority (James Mason) options Joe into take over the body of millionaire Leo Farnsworth after he has been "killed" by his scretary (Charles Grodin) and his wife (Dyan Cannon). As Farnsworth Joe takes on a new love (Julie Christie) who is trying to stop one of his companies environmental blunders. But Joes main goal is to get back into football with the help of the Rams trainer Max (Jack Warden). Beatty and Buck Henry directed this nice, little romantic comedy that's been done before and since, yet this version seems to hold its own. It's one of those movies that you stumble on when flipping channels and once you start watching you can't turn the damn thing off. Beatty is a proficent director his first time out and doesn't indulge in those things that actors turned directors tend to do- over direct. He simply tells the story. It isn't a pretentious piece like you would expect from Beatty. It's a good, straightforward chick flick that gets past being for chicks.

• Cassandra M

  
  Heaven Can Wait is a milestone in Warren Beatty's long career. He produced, co-directed, co-written, and starred in this fantasy comedy of "probability and outcome". Originally Muhammad Ali was supposed to be cast for the role, but he turned it down, and it's a… More
  Heaven Can Wait is a milestone in Warren Beatty's long career. He produced, co-directed, co-written, and starred in this fantasy comedy of "probability and outcome". Originally Muhammad Ali was supposed to be cast for the role, but he turned it down, and it's a good thing he did. Beatty does a great job of handling the work of playing three different characters, as he goes from quarterback to businessman and back again. Warren also has great support from Julie Christie (whom Beatty worked with previously), James Mason (as the mysterious Mr. Jordan), Dyan Cannon (as the businessman's treacherous wife), Jack Warden (as trainer Max Corkle), Buck Henry (as the escort), and Charles Grodin. This film definitely deserved it's 9 Oscar nominations but it should have won more than one.

• Leigh R

  
  It was funny and the ending was so romantic.

• jay n

  
  sweet, charming & very funny. Dyan Cannon is priceless.

• xGary X

  
  Remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordan, this comedy tries to recreate the magic of 40s fantasys and succeeds to come extent. Beatty displays his usual light comic charm as a football player who refuses to accept his death, and heavenly misunderstandings ensue. Dyan Cannon and Charles… More
  Remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordan, this comedy tries to recreate the magic of 40s fantasys and succeeds to come extent. Beatty displays his usual light comic charm as a football player who refuses to accept his death, and heavenly misunderstandings ensue. Dyan Cannon and Charles Grodin's various murder plots provide some slapstick asides, and it's all amiably done.

• Lanning :

  
  Something about this remake, everytime I watch it, never quite works. If you are a Beatty fan, you must, of course, see <i>Bonnie and Clyde</i>, and I would highly recommend <i>Shampoo</i> and the superb 70's conspiracy / paranoia film called <i>The… More
  Something about this remake, everytime I watch it, never quite works. If you are a Beatty fan, you must, of course, see <i>Bonnie and Clyde</i>, and I would highly recommend <i>Shampoo</i> and the superb 70's conspiracy / paranoia film called <i>The Parallax View</i> as well. <p> I love Jack Warden, however, and the movie does have its energetic moments. One big star for Warden, and one big star for Charles Grodin.

• Dimitris S

  
  It's one of those movies where you actually agree to watch regardless of that annoying sport on-screen,you know what I mean.Beatty's first film is an homage to screwball comedy and for what it's worth,he is damn good in his role and on remaking a an already classic… More
  It's one of those movies where you actually agree to watch regardless of that annoying sport on-screen,you know what I mean.Beatty's first film is an homage to screwball comedy and for what it's worth,he is damn good in his role and on remaking a an already classic film.I'm usually opposite on any kind of remake but I have to notice he studied the original methodically and not only we have a spectacular Jack Warden,it's sometimes just as charming as a sugary romantic comedy.

• Richard F

  
  An unpolished, outdated, yet pleasantly funny and charming film

• Jonny C

  
  Great movie. Very well scripted with some really funny moments.

• Leo L

  
  Hilarious!

• Keith M

  
  Who didnt Warren Beatty bang?

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