by David C. Terr

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Title: Heaven Can Wait

Director: Warren Beatty, Buck Henry

Starring: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason, Charles Grodin, Dyan Cannon, Buck Henry, Vincent Gardenia, Jack Warden

Release Date: June 28, 1978

Running Time: 101 min

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Sport

Commentary
Heaven Can Wait is a very entertaining film concerning Heaven and the afterlife. The entire cast delivers a great performance. The story is both funny and moving at the same time.

Plot Summary
Heaven Can Wait concerns a professional football player named Joe Pendelton (Beatty). One day he bikes through a tunnel when his guardian angel pulls him out of his body and sends him to a weigh station on the way to Heaven, believing his death is imminent. Realizing he made a mistake and that Joe wasn't meant to go for nearly 50 years, the angel fixes his error by temporarily giving him the body of a millionaire named Leo Farnsworth, who'd recently been murdered by his wife Julia (Dyan Cannon) and personal secretary Tony Abbott (Charles Grodin). Joe falls in love with environmentalist Betty Logan (Julie Christie), who at first wishes to confront Joe for Leo's unsound environmental practices but later falls for him when Joe fixes things. Joe also buys the Los Angeles Rams, which he used to play for, and starts playing again, trying once again to be the star quarterback. Joe also tells his old trainer Max Corkle (Jack Warden) who he really is. However, Julia and Tony end up re-murdering Joe as Leo, whence he's given another body, this time that of the new L.A. quarterback Tom Jarrett. Shortly after winning the game, his guardian angel erases his memories of his former lives. But he still has a feeling for his old love Betty.

Philosophy
Heaven Can Wait portrays interesting philosophies of Heaven, the afterlife, and reincarnation. Although I don't agree with most of it, I find it fascinating nonetheless. I do believe in souls and reincarnation, though I'm not sure about Heaven and I don't think souls can be plucked out mistakenly. The idea that one might have vague memories of their past life or lives is fascinating in any case.

Cultural Significance
Heaven Can Wait was remade twice, first in 1983 as Heaven's Touch and then in 2001 as Down to Earth. Another movie called Heaven Can Wait was released in 1943, but the story is different.