Heaven Can Wait

Plot synopsis:
Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty) is a quarterback for the LA Rams, and has just been given a chance to start. He is an exercise fanatic, and while bicycling, he is hit by a car. He is plucked into a "way station" by his Escort (Buck Henry) by mistake. Joe refuses to go on to heaven, and by the time the Escort and Mr. Jordan (James Mason) realize this, his body has been cremated, and they cannot return him to his body.Mr. Jordan allows Joe to see several candidate bodies (just before they die), offering Joe a chance to inhabit their body. He finally selects the body of a murdered millionaire, Leo Farnsworth. It turns out the millionaire was murdered by his wife Julia (Dyan Cannon) and assistant Tony (Charles Grodin). He makes his decision after seeing Betty Logan (Julie Christie), a teacher who is petitioning on behalf of a small town. Joe realizes he can help Betty as Farnsworth. He tries to explain to Betty that he's Joe, but she doesn't buy it.Joe starts to assimilate into Farnsworth's life, but the lack of football is annoying. He's not very happy with the corporate cutthroat style, and amazes everyone with his new, more caring attitude. He uses football analogies to define his company's new direction, and people think he's crazy. Betty is impressed, and he takes her out to dinner - at a drive-thru. They fall in love, awkwardly.The Escort tells Joe they have another body, but Joe has decided to get Farnsworth's body in shape instead. He tells Julia he wants a divorce, and Julia and Tony continue to try and kill him. He contacts his old trainer Max (Jack Warden) to get him into shape. He manages to convince Max that he's Joe. They start an exercise program, and get the staff to participate. He buys the team and announces he wants to play QB. During a scrimmage, Tony drops comments designed to get the players angry at Joe. The defense keeps jumping offside and punishing Joe, but Joe perserveres and wins the players over.After the scrimmage, Joe hosts a party, and Julia and Tony see him wander off with Betty. He sees the Escort, who tells him he can't continue using Farnsworth's body. Joe tells Betty to remember him, and after she's gone, Tony shoots him. The body falls into a well and Joe and Mr. Jordan return to the way station. Meanwhile, the staff and police cannot find Farnsworth's body. During the investigation, Julia tries to pin the murder on Betty.During the Super Bowl, the Rams QB gets mortally, injured, and Joe takes over his body. Watching the game, Max realizes Joe is in a new body and Tony cracks, blaming Julia for the murder. Joe wins the Super Bowl with the Rams, then Mr. Jordan appears and tells Joe that he won't remember being Joe - he's Tom Jarrett, the Rams QB now. Max doesn't realize Joe is now Tom, but finally comes to grips with it.Betty comes to see Max and sees Joe/Tom in the hallway. They speak, and she sees glints of Joe in the new Tom. He invites her to have coffee, and they walk away together. The end.

Tags: murder

Review:
Julie Christie's character (as the love interest) seems, at first glance, to be a bit underwritten, but her scenes with Beatty linger in the memory - especially the ending where Beatty, in a new body with his memory wiped out, sees this beautiful woman in the bowels of a deserted football stadium and struggles to remember what she meant to him.Growing up, I seem to recall that CBS or some major network used to show this once every year and it was hyped as a big event (this was just before the explosion of cable).
I am not a huge fan of Beatty, but I think he plays his role in this movie perfectly, running rampant through the lives of his unfaithful wife and private secretary (Charles Grodin couldn't be better), and his former coach.
The film's screenplay takes Joe from earth to heaven and to back to earth again through an assortment of various bodies, and Beatty's easygoing charisma holds it all together and keeps viewers involved in the story and fixated on the screen.
The still silver-tongued James Mason (in a part originally offered to the retired Cary Grant) as the heavenly Mr. Jordan and the endearing gruff Jack Warden are perfect as father figure-types for Beatty's Joe, and Charles Grodin and Dyan Cannon are absolutely terrific as the film's pair of villains.
It seems as though the creators thought dressing Christie in frumpy wardrobe and frizzy hairstyle was enough to give the character depth, but all they succeeded in was making a natural beauty look rather hideous.The film is a joyous, comedic piece of whimsy that manages to incorporate slapstick comedy, romance, fantasy, and even an underdog sports story without ever feeling bloated or disjointed.
Hollywood offerings such as "The Bishop's Wife" (where Carey Grant plays an angel), "Angels in the Outfield", "It's a Wonderful Life", and "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (which is actually the inspiration behind "Heaven Can Wait") were innocent 100-minute escapist fair whose only mission was to entertain.
"Heaven Can Wait" is this kind of a movie, maybe the perfect "chick flick" as it combines fantasy, football and even a little love story.The story is relatively simple: Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty), a quarterback in the twilight of his career, feels destined to make it to the Superbowl.
Pendleton, now as stuffy gazillionaire Farnsworth, must forge a way to get back to the Rams in time for the Superbowl.The aspect that saves this film from falling too far into sentimental gush or absolute unbelievability is the quality of the acting of the leads (particularly Warren Beatty, Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon, Julie Christie, James Mason, and Jack Warden as Max, the Rams' trainer) coupled with a fine screenplay.
Julie Christie glows in her part while Beatty more than handles his straight lines, with Charles Grodin (never funnier), Dyan Cannon, and Buck Henry all delivering the comic goods.
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.
HEAVEN CAN WAIT (1978) *** Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason, Dyan Cannon, Charles Grodin, Jack Warden, Buck Henry, Vincent Gardenia, Dolph Sweet.
Very funny remake of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" with Beatty (who co-directed with co-star and screenwriter Henry) as a recently accidentally deceased LA Rams quarterback who is given another chance in the body of an unscrupulous millionaire magnate who suddenly grows a conscience (and some humanity) much to the surprise of his cheating wife (the shrilly hilarious Cannon) and his executive assistant Grodin (in perfect wormy style) as well as his unsuspecting coach (the wooly Warden) when he wants a try out on the team (naturally after acquiring the franchise).
Warren Beatty and Dyan Cannon won Golden Globes and there was one Oscar win among 9 nominations in this charming tale of a man who died prematurely and just wanted to find a body that would allow him to achieve his dream of football stardom.Warren Beatty (Bulworth) was fantastic and extremely funny in the role of Joe Pendleton.
Beatty also wrote the screenplay along with Elaine May (wrote screenplay for The Birdcage).Heaven can wait is a remake of the 40s film Here Comes Mr. Jordan.
A charming, stylish update of the 1941 film "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" that starred Robert Montgomery and Claude Rains, Warren Beatty's 1978 fantasy romance "Heaven Can Wait" is the rare remake that arguably equals or even outshines the original.
Although fans of Beatty's work on "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Reds" may find this film a trifle by comparison, nevertheless, solid performances and a sharp screenplay by Elaine May and Beatty have kept this near classic fresh for almost thirty years.As Joe Pendleton, a quarterback who is snatched from his body before his time by an over-eager angel, Beatty is all good-natured charm, especially as Austin Farnsworth, the first replacement body that he tries on for size.
There are a lot of funny scenes, including using the butlers as his makeshift team, conferences with spirits from heaven in his closet, convincing his trainer that he's really not dead, they're all great.But the final scene where Julie Christie recognizes him as her true love ('You're the Quarterback!') always makes me sob!
"Heaven Can Wait" is a remake of the 1941 fantasy/comedy classic "Here Comes Mr. Jordan", starring Robert Montgomery as pugilist Joe Pendleton along with Claude Rains as the titular Mr. Jordan.
This time around, Warren Beatty takes on the Joe Pendleton role, now a Los Angeles Rams quarterback instead of a boxer.The story is put in motion when Pendleton is yanked out of his body by an overzealous angel before he's meant to die.
When he does finally settle on a body he quickly resumes his goal of attempting to become the starting quarterback for the Rams but he must also contend with his predecessor's murderous wife and shady business dealings.Being pretty faithfully based on "Here Comes Mr. Jordan", it's no surprise that "Heaven Can Wait" has a somewhat old-fashioned feel.
The supporting cast was also superb with multiple standouts including James Mason, Jack Warden, Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon & Buck Henry.Lavished with nine Oscar nominations, "Heaven Can Wait" is a movie that shows attention to detail in all areas.
But what on earth possessed the Academy to go so ga-ga over this slight and not even very good remake of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan?" I'm not a big fan of the original, so it's not like I was unfairly comparing this film to that one.
In addition to that and Beatty's quartet of nominations, the film also received nominations for Best Supporting Actor (Jack Warden, as the James Gleason character, who's probably the best thing about the movie though that isn't saying much), Best Supporting Actress (Dyan Cannon, and you already know my thoughts about her), Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score.Grade: C.
This movie was nominated for several Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor (Warren Beatty), Best Supporting Actor (Jack Warden), Best Supporting Actress (Dyan Cannon), Best Director (Warren Beatty & Buck Henry), Best Writing based on material from another medium (Elain May & Warren Beatty), Best Cinematography (William Fraker) and Best Original Score (Dave Grusin).
It is at this point that the great comedy really starts to take hold, with Dyan Cannon and Charles Grodin knowing that they had killed the man to which Beatty's body is assigned.
James Mason, Jack Warden, Buck Henry, and Vincent Gardenia all expertly add to the riveting plot, while wide-eyed Julie Christie is romantically mesmerized against her better judgment by Beatty's surprising little boy openness as he puts his own spirit into a Scrooge-like mega-rich villain.
Coming to the IMDb site to review this commercially successful movie, I was amazed at the Oscar recognition it garnered in 1978 for what is, to my eyes and ears a very unremarkable re-make of the enjoyable 1941 Claude Rains feature "Here Comes Mr Jordan", while surreptitiously grafting on the title of another "life after death" 40's classic starring Don Ameche.I just don't have a lot to say about this vapid entertainment other than apart from transforming the hapless Joe from a boxer to an American footballer (and thus losing some of the universality of his character), it seems almost a line for line, scene for scene, inferior copy of the much superior original.
Beatty is very good, but acting honors really go out to James Mason as Mr. Jordan, Buck Henry as the blundering heavenly escort, Dyan Cannon as a murderous wife, Jack Warden as Max Corkle, and Charles Grodin in a very funny role as a personal secretary cheating on Beatty's rich body.
Both films have the same story: a young man is taken prematurely up to Heaven, but since it was a mistake and he wasn't supposed to die for decades, the angel Mr. Jordan sends him back to Earth in another man's body.
And, the other main actors, James Mason, Buck Henry, Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon and Jack Warden, are wonderful in their roles.
A remake of 'Here comes Mr Jordan', 'Heaven can wait' is a absolutely wonderful 1970's fantasy/comedy with a cast that really makes the movie.
Beautifully shot, with soft lighting, and wonderfully acted by a GREAT cast including James Mason as the angel Mr Jordan, Charles Grodin as the murderous valet, Jack Warden, Dolph Sweet, Dyan Cannon, and the beautiful Julie Christie as Beatty's love interest.
One of the funniest encounter scenes in all film, right up there with the great Jack Benny/Sig Rumann meeting in "To Be or Not To Be," is the moment in this film where Warren Beaty in the body of another man (Fransworth) tries to convince his old pal Warden that he is indeed the football player Joe Pendelton.
This is a good movie but the cast of Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason, Jack Warden, Dyan Cannon, Charles Grodin, Buck Henry and Vincent Gardenia must have had a lot of clout with the Academy of Arts and Sciences for this film to have been nominated for 9 Academy Awards because it's not that good.
This is a romantic comedy/fantasy that is a tribute to the romantic comedy fantasy films popular in the 1930's and 1940's and take it's character and basic storyline from the 1941 movie Here Comes Mr. Jordan and it's title from the 1943 movie Heaven Can Wait but Warren Beatty is not as romantically comedic as Robert Montgomery or Don Ameche were in their respective lead roles and he isn't as romantically comedic as he was in Shampoo.
It's a simple yet fictional story, told in a neat manner.Beatty stars in the lead role, playing a football player who, after being killed in a collision accident, is sent back to earth in the body of a millionaire.Screenplay by Beatty, Elaine May, Robert Towne & Buck Henry, is engaging and packs in memorable moments.
I don't know exactly what I would have thought if I had seen the movie just after becoming aware of its existence (I believe I was in my early teens at the time), but when I finally watched it for the first time, I was reasonably impressed.Joe Pendleton is a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams.
So, if you want fast lots of action, you can't stand Warren Beatty, and/or romantic comedy fantasies are not your kind of story, then this movie obviously isn't for you.
Joe wants a young, healthy body so that he can return to his career as a promising football star, but Heaven begs to differ and places him in the body of a Mr. Farnsworth, a fabulously wealthy and infamous corporate giant who was recently murdered by his cheating wife Julia (Dyan Cannon) and lowlife partner Tony Abbott (Charles Grodin, in a scene-stealing performance).At first, Joe requests that his time in Farnsworth's body be temporary, but consequently discovers that he must undo many of Farnsworth's past mistakes.
More importantly, he comes into contact with Betty Logan (Julie Christie) and falls in love with her, thus complicating things much more than he first anticipated.This little gem from the '70s is a wonderful movie and will touch all those who take the time to watch it..
Charles Grodin is fantastic with Warren Beatty playing his role in such an understated way that he really becomes totally believable as Joe Pendleton.
'Heaven Can Wait' isn't a great film, but it is very good one and one of the best feel-good movies I've seen.
Far better then Chris Rock's remake 'Down to Earth' (although that was still pretty funny), Buck Henry and Warren Beatty's 'Heaven Can Wait' has aged twenty-eight years, but still hasn't lost it's charm.
Warren Beatty is excellent in one of his finest performances, while Julie Christie, James Mason, Buck Henry and especially Jack Warden are superb also.
But, with that aside....When it came to the likes of "bungling" angels (Spare me!) and cooking up yet another preposterous scheme for Joe and Betty to meet up again, and again, and again (ho-hum!) - I was nearly at my patience end with this picture's total incompetence at being unable to deliver a story that came anywhere near to being a really amusing and truly satisfying "Screwball" comedy.Oh, yeah - By the way - Speaking about actor, Warren Beatty - Since he was this film's co-director/producer/writer - I put full blame on him for this one's total crap-factor.
Julie Christie, Dyane Cannon, Jack Warden and Charles Grodin create an all star cast to bring to us the tale of a man who is waiting for the idiots who put him in his predicament the okay to move on.It's a kind of rebirth story, only Beatty's Joe Pendleton doesn't have any issues regarding his health or social stature.
Rarely do I hold contrarian opinions to the Academy, but "Heaven Can Wait" is simply not worthy, especially the writing team of Beatty and Elaine May, who while clever and funny fail structurally speaking.Quickly into the film, Los Angeles Rams' quarterback Joe Pendleton (Beatty) finds out he's going to be the starter for his Super-Bowl bound team, but dies in a nasty accident -- or does he?
This is a charm film, seeming to be the place where Warren Beatty hit his charm peak, learned how it was done and did it perfectly.Perfectly cast down to the servants, this film has some of the best scenes, with Buck Henry and James Mason in the closet ("Tell them I'm sorry, thank them"), the falling bed sequence, the servants on the staircase, Warren running around the house, the cigarlighting "I'm Joe Pendleton" scene, the hats, "have we met?" and,of course, the classic "let's be the goodguy company, the popular players." I could go on.At the end, where Julie Christie is realizing that Tom is Joe, her SKIN changes color.
And Joe is so good-hearted that he'll use this occasion to act positively, by taking the body of Mr. Farnsworth, an eccentric billionaire and controversial figure of the industrial world, a man whose life is targeted by his associate and wife, Charles Grodin and the Oscar-nominated Dyan Cannon, in irresistible comical performances.From a meaningful introspection in the concept of life and death, the film flirts with pure comedy through the switched-bodies formulas, and allows Beatty to shine as an altruistic person who'll almost redeem Fansworth for the sake of community, and whose only selfish motive would serve his dream to play on the Superbowl.
It was moving along at a good pace; I thought Warren Beatty was giving a good performance - and then the last twenty minutes threw in a plot twist that was totally unexpected (which would have been fine, except that it made no sense.) That, along with some illogical parts to the storyline, really brought this movie down a notch or two in my estimation.Beatty played Joe Pendleton, a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams who finally gets a chance to quarterback his team in the Super Bowl, except that heaven makes a mistake.
Jack Warden was quite good as Rams' trainer Max Corkle, who tries to get Farnsworth's body into shape for the Super Bowl, and Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon and Julie Christie also offered good performances here.6/10.
The movie stars Warren Beatty in his first movie as a director as the Los Angeles Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton who has the admiration of his teammates and coaches and it is almost super-bowl time in the beginning of the movie.
I agree with one of the reviewers - Heaven Can Wait deserves more than a 6.9 rating because it's a fine movie that is timeless in its spirit and message.Warren Beatty should have won an Oscar for his role (he was nominated, along with Jack Warden and Dyan Cannon for their impressive performances).
And it turns out it's a fun, good movie.Using the 1941 movie Here Comes Mr. Jordan as its basis, Beatty's movie tells the story of Joe Pendleton (Beatty), a football player who is taken to Heaven before his time.
After convincing his former trainer, Max (Jack Warden), that he's back, Joe starts training until fate intervenes again in a way he wasn't expecting.There's almost nothing wrong with Heaven Can Wait; that's not to say it's a great movie; but for what it tries to be – a lovely fantasy comedy/romance – it's very good.
There is no other way to explain this than to describe the ending, so again , , , SPOILERS BELOW!The ENTIRE movie centers around the effort to find a new body for the consciousness of Joe Pendleton (played by Warren Beatty), a QB for the LA Rams whose consciousness was mistakenly removed from his body many years too soon by a rookie angel who wrongfully assumed that he was about to be killed in an accident.
Warren Beatty is Joe Pendleton, a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, who is mistaken for dead, swept up, and taken to heaven's way station.