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1978
PG
Paramount Pictures
1 h 41 m

1978
PG
Paramount Pictures
1 h 41 m

Summary A Los Angeles Rams quarterback, accidentally taken away from his body by an overanxious angel before he was meant to die, returns to life in the body of a recently murdered millionaire.

Directed By: Warren Beatty, Buck Henry

Written By: Elaine May, Harry Segall, Robert Towne, Warren Beatty

1978
PG
Paramount Pictures
1 h 41 m

1978
PG
Paramount Pictures
1 h 41 m

Heaven Can Wait

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 10 Critic Reviews

72

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 10 User Ratings

7.2

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary A Los Angeles Rams quarterback, accidentally taken away from his body by an overanxious angel before he was meant to die, returns to life in the body of a recently murdered millionaire.

Directed By: Warren Beatty, Buck Henry

Written By: Elaine May, Harry Segall, Robert Towne, Warren Beatty

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 10 Critic Reviews

70% Positive
7 Reviews

30% Mixed
3 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 10 Critic Reviews

70% Positive
7 Reviews

30% Mixed
3 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Warren Beatty's Heaven Can Wait is the most delightful movie the year has offered. Funny, fantastical, fast on its feet, this romantic fantasy comes closer than any film of the past decade to capturing the ingenious, madcap spirit of '30s comedies. [03 July 1978, p.90]

By David Ansen FULL REVIEW

From beginning to end, for kids and adults, Heaven Can Wait is nonstop —and blissfully uncomplicated—pleasure.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Paul Sylbert's production design is handsome, William A. Fraker's cinematography is beautiful and Dave Grusin's music winning. All in all, Heaven Can Wait is a fantastic fantasy. [28 June 1978]

Chicago Sun-Times

Somehow manages to combine the sweetness and innocence of the original with a satirical bite all its own.

By Roger Ebert FULL REVIEW

Washington Post

This is a very sweet movie to watch, the pleasant cinematic equivalent of light summer reading.

Beatty ambles nicely enough through the hero's part (remodeled as a quarterback), and Charles Grodin turns up trumps playing another of his chinless, spineless wonders. But Christie's comedy gifts are as minuscule as ever, and the film drags its feet uncertainly from beginning to end.

The New York Times

There is something eerily disconnected about Heaven Can Wait. It may be because in a time of comparative peace, immortality — at least in its life-after-death form — doesn't hold the fascination for us that it does when there's a war going on, as there was in 1941 when Here Comes Mr. Jordan was released and became such a hit. Or perhaps we are somewhat more sophisticated today (though I doubt it) and comedies about heavenly messengers and what is, in effect, a very casual kind of transubstantiation seem essentially silly.

By Vincent Canby FULL REVIEW

See All 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 10 User Ratings

90% Positive
9 Ratings

0% Mixed
0 Ratings

10% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 10 User Ratings

90% Positive
9 Ratings

0% Mixed
0 Ratings

10% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

Production Company Paramount Pictures

Release Date Jun 28, 1978

Duration 1 h 41 m

Rating PG

Genres

Tagline Joe Pendleton...the only guy who ever raised Hell about going to Heaven.

View All Details

Awards

Academy Awards, USA

• 1 Win & 9 Nominations

Golden Globes, USA

• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA

• 4 Wins & 8 Nominations

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