Heaven Can Wait (B+ or 3/4 stars)
'Heaven Can Wait' (co-directed by Warren Beatty & Buck Henry) is a dramedy that touches upon mortality, immortality, destiny, & love. Joe Pendleton (Beatty), a quarterback for the L.A. Rams, is looking forward to leading his team to the Super Bowl. His fortune changes, however, when - during training - the bicycle he's riding through Mulholland Drive's tunnel collides with a truck. An over-anxious guardian angel (Buck Henry) on his 1st assignment plucks Joe out of his body early in the mistaken belief that his death is imminent, & Joe arrives in the afterlife. Once there, he refuses to believe that his time is up, & upon investigation, the mysterious Heaven ambassador, Mr. Jordan (James Mason), discovers that he is correct; and not destined to die until much later.
Unfortunately, his body has already been cremated, so a new body must be found. Joe is finally persuaded to accept the body of eccentric millionaire industrialist, Leo Farnsworth. Farnsworth has just been drugged/drowned in his bathtub by his beautiful wife Julia (Dyan Cannon) & her lover, Farnsworth's secretary, Tony (Charles Grodin). Julia & Tony are naturally confused when Farnsworth reappears, alive & well. Farnsworth goes on to buy the Rams in order to lead them to the Super Bowl as their quarterback. But in order to succeed, he must convince friend/trainer Max Corkle (Jack Warden) that a) his friend is actually alive and in another body! And b) to whip his 'new' body into shape for some potential quarterbacking.
Throughout all of this, Joe falls in love with a British schoolteacher/environmental activist, Betty Logan (Julie Christie), who disapproves of Farnsworth's environmental policies. As the movie's plot heads toward the Super Bowl, Joe faces a series of crises. i.e., he must stay on top of the murderous intentions of his wife & secretary. He must also save Betty Logan's town by defending her P.O.V. at a board meeting of his own corporation. But again, fate intervenes. Situations arise where Mr. Jordan puts Joe into yet another body (a football player named Jarrett) to try & restore cosmic balance. Jarrett (Beatty), is shown "meeting" Betty & it is implied that they may have known each other in a past life. It's a heartwarming conclusion to what is an entertaining remake of a 1941 film of the same name.
'Heaven Can Wait' is just a stellar movie across the board. Able direction (balancing comedy with melodrama). Witty writing. Excellent performances. Julie Christie is as beguiling as ever. Dyan Cannon is hysterical as the adulterous trophy wife. Both Jack Warden & James Mason lend their charisma to the roles of Max & Mr. Jordan. William Fraker's cinematography is eye-catching. The art direction is award-worthy. And yet, perhaps the highest accolades must go to Warren Beatty who was able to co-produce, co-direct, co-write, & star in this movie ... and do it all well. 'Heaven Can Wait' didn't rock my world. It's not a masterpiece. But it's exceedingly well-made, charming, and is one of the better film's to come out in 1978.
Unfortunately, his body has already been cremated, so a new body must be found. Joe is finally persuaded to accept the body of eccentric millionaire industrialist, Leo Farnsworth. Farnsworth has just been drugged/drowned in his bathtub by his beautiful wife Julia (Dyan Cannon) & her lover, Farnsworth's secretary, Tony (Charles Grodin). Julia & Tony are naturally confused when Farnsworth reappears, alive & well. Farnsworth goes on to buy the Rams in order to lead them to the Super Bowl as their quarterback. But in order to succeed, he must convince friend/trainer Max Corkle (Jack Warden) that a) his friend is actually alive and in another body! And b) to whip his 'new' body into shape for some potential quarterbacking.
Throughout all of this, Joe falls in love with a British schoolteacher/environmental activist, Betty Logan (Julie Christie), who disapproves of Farnsworth's environmental policies. As the movie's plot heads toward the Super Bowl, Joe faces a series of crises. i.e., he must stay on top of the murderous intentions of his wife & secretary. He must also save Betty Logan's town by defending her P.O.V. at a board meeting of his own corporation. But again, fate intervenes. Situations arise where Mr. Jordan puts Joe into yet another body (a football player named Jarrett) to try & restore cosmic balance. Jarrett (Beatty), is shown "meeting" Betty & it is implied that they may have known each other in a past life. It's a heartwarming conclusion to what is an entertaining remake of a 1941 film of the same name.
'Heaven Can Wait' is just a stellar movie across the board. Able direction (balancing comedy with melodrama). Witty writing. Excellent performances. Julie Christie is as beguiling as ever. Dyan Cannon is hysterical as the adulterous trophy wife. Both Jack Warden & James Mason lend their charisma to the roles of Max & Mr. Jordan. William Fraker's cinematography is eye-catching. The art direction is award-worthy. And yet, perhaps the highest accolades must go to Warren Beatty who was able to co-produce, co-direct, co-write, & star in this movie ... and do it all well. 'Heaven Can Wait' didn't rock my world. It's not a masterpiece. But it's exceedingly well-made, charming, and is one of the better film's to come out in 1978.