Heaven Can Wait
Heaven Can Wait

Heaven Can Wait

1978Movie101 minEnglish

Joe Pendleton is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn't ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently-murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant—the murderers—are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl.

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Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Metacritic69/100
Google Users80%
Director: Warren Beatty, Buck HenryGenres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Plot Summary

A man dies prematurely and is sent back to Earth in the body of a wealthy, but terminally ill, businessman. He must then navigate his new life, contending with his wife's suspicions and his own newfound desires, all while trying to avoid a final demise.

Critical Reception

Heaven Can Wait was a critical and commercial success, praised for its charming blend of fantasy, comedy, and romance. Critics lauded the performances of the cast, particularly Warren Beatty's dual role, and the witty screenplay. Audiences enjoyed its lighthearted and heartwarming tone.

What Reviewers Say

  • A delightful and charming romantic fantasy with excellent performances.
  • Witty script and a lighthearted tone make for an enjoyable viewing experience.
  • Praised for its creative premise and Beatty's engaging central performance.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a heartwarming and funny romantic comedy with a unique premise. Many appreciated the performances and the overall positive and magical feel of the movie.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Warren Beatty. It won for Best Art Direction.

Fun Fact

The character of Leo Farnsworth was originally meant to be an aging boxer, but the script was changed to a wealthy businessman to allow Warren Beatty to play a more romantic lead.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Maybe Warren Beatty was also a fan of Powell & Pressburger as this has shades of "Matter of Life and Death" (1946) to it. Rather than a fighter pilot though, it's quarter-back "Joe" (Beatty) who is erroneously selected to take the Concorde ...