Ben Shenkman, Dina Waters, Donal Logue

When David sublets his quaint San Francisco apartment, the last thing he expected or wanted was a roommate. He had only begun to make a complete mess of the place when a pretty young woman named Eliza...( read more  read more... )beth suddenly shows up, adamantly insisting the apartment is hers. David assumes there's been a giant misunderstanding... until Elizabeth disappears as mysteriously as she appeared. Changing the locks does nothing to deter Elizabeth, who begins to appear and disappear at will -- mostly to rebuke David for his personal living habits in her apartment. Convinced that she is a ghost, David tries to help Elizabeth cross over to the "other side." But while Elizabeth has discovered she does have a distinctly ethereal quality -- she can walk through walls -- she is equally convinced that she is somehow still alive and isn't crossing over anywhere. As Elizabeth and David search for the truth about who Elizabeth is and how she came to be in her present state, their relationship deepens into love. Unfortunately, they have very little time before their prospects for a future together permanently fade away.

Flixster Users

77% liked it

255,301 ratings

Critics

57% liked it

145 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Mark Waters (VIII)

Release Date: September 16, 2005

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DVD Release Date: February 7, 2006

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Stats: 37,986 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (37,986)


  • December 17, 2008
    Charming romantic comedy. David sublets an apartment only to find that it is still occupied by a ghost. He is the only one who can see and hear Elizabeth. They try to find out what happened to her. Good cast.
  • October 2, 2008
    What seems to start out as a story similar to "Ghost" soon follows its own paths and doesn't do much wrong on the way. Likeable characters, good acting and great chemistry between Witherspoon and Ruffalo, plus a story that keeps you entertained, of course without being very inven...( read more)tive. Jon Heder's role is kept pleasantly small and the ending, while being cheesy is also pretty sweet and the equivalent of too much chocolate: you know and realize what it does to you but can't help but like it. Fans of romantic modern fairy tales should be really pleased.
  • June 23, 2008
    "God made alcohol as a social lubricant. To make men brave, and to make women loose."


    From the viewpoint of Hollywood studios, films in the vein of Just Like Heaven are a blessing: they don't cost much to make, they don't take long to make, and they are modest

    ...( read more)ly profitable at the box office. Quality is never the issue as a studio grabs an idea, hires a screenwriter to transform the idea into a full-length script, then the three major stages of filmmaking commence, and voila - 6 months later, a cheap sappy chick flick is produced. As much as it pains me to admit, Just Like Heaven isn't as bad as I was anticipating - but that's still a fairly faint praise. One of the most interesting aspects of this film is its subject matter explored by Hollywood on multiple occasions: what happens to us after we die? Films from Ghost to Beetlejuice have ventured a perspective on the matter, and despite the premise being delved into several times the afterlife is still a much-reprised foundation for a film in the age of contemporary chick flicks.

    Just Like Heaven is not about to become the Citizen Kane of the genre, but it's a fair attempt at an average concept. Certainly, the film exceeded expectations set by its deplorable trailer. Successful Hollywood screenwriters Peter Tolan and Leslie Dixon have a few interesting credits on their résumé including crowd-pleasing flicks such as Analyze This, America's Sweethearts, Mrs. Doubtfire and The Next Best Thing. Their take on the concept is a fascinating one; however their script for Just Like Heaven fits comfortably in the 'average chick flick' category. This is a pleasant-enough romantic offering, but it's also a film that takes no risks and has nothing innovative to bestow. While watching the film we are always three steps ahead of it and its twists. However thanks to the likeable leads, a couple of touching scenes, funny moments and pacey direction we're content to be swept along with the proceedings.

    David Abbott (Ruffalo) moves into a seemingly quiet San Francisco apartment. His life has been a total mess since the unfortunate demise of his wife two years earlier. Now his friends are encouraging him to get started on his life again. While still settling into his new apartment, he runs into the ghost/spirit of a young controlling woman named Elizabeth (Witherspoon). Three months earlier, Elizabeth had been in a car accident and is unaware that she is just a spirit. Elizabeth doesn't remember anything about who she once was, and wants David to move out of her apartment. After the two have a number of arguments and attempts are made to remove the "ghost", David becomes convinced that she isn't actually dead. Despite her controlling nature and annoying paranoia towards cleanliness, David slowly begins to fall for her. He now wants to find out more regarding the person she once was, and sets out to investigate with the spirit of Elizabeth by his side.

    Just Like Heaven may be superior to your average chick flick...but this one is far from perfect. To get things started: it's far too clichéd, feel-good and conventional from square one. Almost every scene and every twist can be predicted after it's established. It's far too formulaic as a whole, and the final 10 minutes almost made me want to puke my guts out. Honestly, the ending is the worst part and almost an insult to the movie. Why? It's terribly feel-good and not at all clever. The final moments of the film can be predicted just by reading the plot synopsis or watching the first few minutes. The whole premise is completely preposterous! I mean, it's hard to overlook the obviously logistical flaws. Okay, so it's possible to turn off your brain for an over-the-top action movie but this is just way too far. As a whole the film is indescribably predictable, clichéd, formulaic, corny and sappy!

    The only upside is the modest entertainment value. There is a strong group of actors involved, despite minuscule chemistry emerging between the leads. Seriously, Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon are good actors...they just don't make a convincing screen pair. Overall, Just Like Heaven is nothing more than your average Hollywood chick flick. It's entertaining enough with some good laughs and sweet moments, but it's clichéd and predictable beyond all belief!
  • January 26, 2008
    This film was sweet and had a few funny parts in it. But it did start to drag a little towards the end.
  • November 17, 2007
    I loved it!!
  • November 2, 2009
    Debo decir que a pesar de que no me gustan mucho las "comedias" romanticas, esta pelicula esta buenisima. La volveria a ver.
  • November 2, 2009
    Another one nice almost ghost story
  • November 1, 2009
    super touching and funny too, you have to see this one
  • October 23, 2009
    Great story. It shows people purpose in life>accepting/doing something about ones' life.
  • October 22, 2009
    Tårar, tårar och åter tårar! Vill man inte gråta ska man inte se på denna vackra kärleksberättelse.

Critic Reviews


February 7, 2006
Kurt Loder, MTV

While the picture adheres to romantic-comedy formula, it's not entirely formulaic, and the actors, who appear to be having fun, give it a bright and undeniable appeal. full review

September 24, 2005
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Starts out glib and gimmicky but later digs surprisingly deep. full review

September 16, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Just Like Heaven is really nothing more than your standard love-from-beyond-the-grave squishfest (even though the heroine isn't actually dead) done up in the dumb bonnet-and-bloomers get-up of contemp... full review

September 15, 2005
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Given its somewhat morbid premise, this metaphysical second-chance comedy is impressively nimble and cheery. full review

September 15, 2005
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Just Like Heaven isn't a groundbreaking movie -- where romantic comedy is concerned, there isn't much ground left to break -- but it contains some nice moments and fresh twists. full review

September 15, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Can one movie support these many coincidences and close calls and misunderstandings? Yes. The movie works, and so we accept everything. full review

September 10, 2005
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine

Waters finds it nearly impossible to generate stimulation from a lovey-dovey narrative formula so lifeless it wouldn't register on any ER equipment. full review

View more Just Like Heaven reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • devi1503
    October 12, 2009
    This is such a beautiful movie, it has its comedy, romance,I look at it every chance I get, great acting, great chemistry, you just gotta love it!!!
  • shellahjpa
    July 2, 2008
    I enjoyed watching this movie. Very light and entertaining. Both Reese and Mark did well.

    A movie that is sweet, funny, emotional... -- a little bit of everything making it great as a whole... Really recommendable.

  • jmiguelasturias
    February 22, 2008
    I was watching this movie with my cousin...at the end she was crying and then i started crying too....cause this movie must be cute...that seems like if I like this movie and that's the true!!!
  • alipici
    February 6, 2008
    i just love this movie i like the actors,i that reese have a perfectly match with mark,they look lovely toghter
  • supababy2004
    August 7, 2007
    I waited patiently for this movie and I wasn't at all disappointed when I saw it. The previews gave it enuff justice. It's one of the most unique and original romantic comedies around. My entire family and I sat down to watch it, and we watch it over & over again together, it's soooo beautiful. It even made me cry a little when she ddn't recognise Mark but in the end I wasn't disappointed. Love it, Love It, LOVE IT.
  • jamy0171
    July 15, 2007
    I really enjoyed this movie; it's my favorite. The very first time I saw it, I wanted to watched again. It's a great and awesome movie to recommend; a romantic comedy in which you can laugh and cry at the same time. I have seen it many times and I never get bored of watching it.
    Yisy P.R.
  • madi106
    April 22, 2007
    this is such a good movie. i really like it. after the first time seeing it i really wanted to see it again.
    I think that this movie is the best!!!!!!!!
  • quesohermanas
    April 10, 2007
    I love this movie!!! It is so cute.
  • Bannoona
    April 7, 2007
    I was looking forward to seeing this & finally I saw it last night & I thought it was great,It really made me burst into tears at the end.

    It also made think of how my life is right now,I am a resident who is trying her best to prove herself at work in the hospital & I have no social life at all,No one to love me.That's why watching the movie really hurt me & it made me wonder wether I will find my own" Mark Ruffalo "one day ! hopefully without getting in a coma !!

    Rees was Great & Mark was even better.
    I LOVED THIS MOVIE SO MUCH.
    Highly recomened !
  • xxxitsbritneybitchxxx
    April 5, 2007
    this movie is brilliant,

    reese witherspoon and mark ruffalo done a great job

    a must see movie

    soooo lovely :)

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Just Like Heaven Trivia


  • Which actress played in "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Just Like Heaven?"   Answer »
  • in which movie did Resse Witherspoon play a lonely 24-7 doctor?  Answer »
  • Which actor played the part of David in "Just Like Heaven"  Answer »
  • who plays elizabeth in just like heaven?  Answer »

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