Heaven Can Wait (1978)

Directors:

Warren Beatty
Buck Henry

Writers:

Harry Segall (play)
Elaine May (writer) ...

Release Date:

28 June 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance | Sport

Plot:

A Los Angeles Rams quarterback, accidentally taken away from his body by an over-anxious angel before he was supposed to die, comes back to life in the body of a recently-murdered millionaire.

Plot Keywords:

Sniper Rifle | Male Female Relationship | Fiancee | Cigar Smoking | Car Accident

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Warren Beatty	...	Joe Pendleton
Julie Christie	...	Betty Logan
James Mason	...	Mr. Jordan
Jack Warden	...	Max Corkle
Charles Grodin	...	Tony Abbott
Dyan Cannon	...	Julia Farnsworth
Buck Henry	...	The Escort
Vincent Gardenia	...	Det. Lt. Krim
Joseph Maher	...	Sisk
Hamilton Camp	...	Bentley
Arthur Malet	...	Everett
Stephanie Faracy	...	Corinne
Jeannie Linero	...	Lavinia
Harry D.K. Wong	...	Gardener
George J. Manos	...	Security guard

Also Known As:

Ciel peut attendre, Le (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Himmel kann warten, Der (Austria) (West Germany) [de]
As perimenei, o Paradeisos (Greece) [el]
Céu Pode Esperar, O (Portugal) [pt]
Cielo puede esperar, El (Spain) [es]
Himlen kan vänta (Sweden) [sv]
Paradiso può attendere, Il (Italy) [it]
Taivas saa odottaa (Finland) [fi]

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

South Korea:15 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | Iceland:L | Norway:11 | Norway:12 (1978) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Arthur Lowe was a offered a key role.

Goofs:

Continuity: In overtime of the Super Bowl, Pendleton is sacked near his own 45 yard line. On the next play, he completes a pass well downfield. However, on the next play, the Rams are back at their own 45 yard line.

Quotes:

Max Corkle: You be the trainer and I'll start on Sunday.
Joe Pendleton: I'm starting against Dallas? What about Jarrett?
Max Corkle: They don't want to go with Jarrett. They want to go with you. Happy Birthday, Joe!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The O'Reilly Factor: (2008-02-14)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Entry Of The Gladiators

Cute Remake Of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan"

"Heaven Can Wait" is funny in a pleasantly dated kind of way. It is a remake of the popular 1941 film "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," and the movie pretty much retains the charm and good-hearted attitude of the original. No quirky modern touches here; just plain old-fashioned and clean-cut humor and sweetly idealized romanticism. It is strange to see such a conventional comedy in the midst of one of the most convoluted decades in the history of USA. Perhaps that is the reason the movie was a runaway hit; the movie is above all pure escapism. The cast is excellent. Warren Beatty is very good as the young athlete who dies prematurely because of a celestial error. Dyan Canon and Charles Grodin are a pair of greedy leeches. Jack Warden is Beatty's redneck coach, and James Mason is Mr. Jordan, the special agent in charge of celestial matters. Only Julie Christie (with big ugly hairdo) seems out of place (as Beatty's love interest). It is the kind of movie you want to watch with someone you love. I cannot explain all those Oscar nominations (even its Oscar for Best Art Direction is baffling), but the movie is certainly fine entertainment. I still think the 1941 movie is better, though.