Heaven Can Wait Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An angel pulls a football player into heaven too early, so he has to live as a dead millionaire and buy his old football team to play in the Super Bowl, while also romancing an environmentalist.

🍿 Heaven Can Wait: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Angelic Error

Joe Pendleton, a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams with Super Bowl aspirations, is mistakenly taken to heaven by an overzealous angel, the Escort, before his time. He was supposed to have survived an accident. Joe protests, insisting he wasn’t meant to die yet and wants to return to Earth to play football.

Finding a New Body

Because his original body was cremated, Mr. Jordan, the head angel, must find Joe a new one. They settle on Leo Farnsworth, a recently murdered millionaire, whose wife and her lover are responsible for his demise. Joe inhabits Farnsworth’s body, much to the shock and confusion of the murderous duo.

Becoming the Rams Owner and Quarterback

Now in Farnsworth’s body, Joe sets about pursuing his football dreams. He buys the Los Angeles Rams and, with the help of his old trainer Max, attempts to whip Farnsworth’s body into shape so he can quarterback the team himself, leading them to the Super Bowl. This creates comical situations as the millionaire tries to adjust to a new life focused on athletic pursuits.

Love and Environmentalism

While living as Farnsworth, Joe meets Betty Logan, an environmental activist fighting against Farnsworth’s company’s harmful practices. He falls in love with her and, influenced by her passion, starts making changes within the company to support environmental causes. This further complicates his situation, as it draws the ire of Farnsworth’s wife and her lover, who are still trying to kill him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty): A quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams who is mistakenly taken to heaven before his time and given a second chance in another body.
• Mr. Jordan (James Mason): A heavenly supervisor who helps Joe Pendleton find a new body after his premature death.
• Betty Logan (Julie Christie): An English environmental activist who falls in love with Joe Pendleton while he is inhabiting the body of Leo Farnsworth.
• Max Corkle (Jack Warden): Joe Pendleton’s loyal friend and trainer who helps him get back into shape in his new body.
• Tony Abbott (Charles Grodin): The scheming assistant and lover of Julia Farnsworth, who plots to kill Leo Farnsworth.
• Julia Farnsworth (Dyan Cannon): Leo Farnsworth’s murderous wife who conspires with Tony Abbott to kill her husband.
• The Escort (Buck Henry): An overanxious angel who mistakenly takes Joe Pendleton to heaven prematurely.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joe Pendleton: “This isn’t what I thought would happen to me.” – Joe’s bewildered reaction upon arriving in heaven prematurely after his accident.
• Mr. Jordan: “We don’t make mistakes.” – Mr. Jordan initially denies the possibility of error when Joe insists he shouldn’t be dead.
• Joe Pendleton: “Can’t something be legal and still be wrong?” – Joe reflects on the ethics of Farnsworth’s company practices.
• Joe Pendleton/Tom Jarrett: “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” – Echoes his previous life, reassuring Betty as Tom Jarrett, hinting at a connection.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $81,640,278
• Worldwide Gross: $81,640,278

💥 Heaven Can Wait Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Heaven Can Wait! It’s such a feel-good movie that always makes me smile. The scene where Joe tries to convince Max that he’s really him by playing the saxophone is hilarious. And the ending, when Betty recognizes a spark of Joe in Tom, always gets me teary-eyed. I think the charm and heart behind the film make it a classic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in fantasy films with afterlife themes”
  • “Warren Beatty and Julie Christie fans”
  • “People who enjoy classic Hollywood remakes”
  • “Football enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild comedic violence”
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Brief discussion of murder”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Warren Beatty delivers a charming performance in this whimsical tale of second chances and heavenly intervention. The film balances lighthearted comedy with touching moments of romance and self-discovery. A delightful escape!
• Variety: “A crowd-pleasing comedy with a heartwarming message. Heaven Can Wait offers a clever twist on the classic ‘body swap’ premise with Warren Beatty and James Mason leading a strong supporting cast. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s undeniably entertaining.
• Los Angeles Times: “While not a perfect film, Heaven Can Wait shines because of its great ensemble. Beatty is solid, but it is Cannon and Grodin who nearly steal every scene they are in. The ending may not stick the landing for everyone.

Audience Reactions

Warren Beatty’s performance is iconic and full of charisma.: Most viewers praised the film’s charming story and excellent performances.

The ending is bittersweet and adds depth to the film.: Fans appreciated the humor and heart in this classic remake.

Overall Consensus: A charming and heartwarming comedy with strong performances and a feel-good story, although some find the ending bittersweet. Overall a great nostalgic film.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Art Direction)- 1979
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy)- 1979
3. Golden Globe Award (Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Warren Beatty))- 1979
4. Golden Globe Award (Best Supporting Actress (Dyan Cannon))- 1979

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Cary Grant was Warren Beatty’s first choice for the role of Mr. Jordan, but Grant had retired and declined the offer, despite Beatty’s persistent lobbying.”
• “Muhammad Ali was considered for the lead role of Joe Pendleton, but the part ultimately went to Warren Beatty.”
• “The film is a remake of the 1941 film ‘Here Comes Mr. Jordan’, with the sport changed from boxing to football.”

🖥️ How to Watch Heaven Can Wait?

Heaven Can Wait is available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+ and can be rented or purchased through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Heaven Can Wait, you might like these similar films:

• Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941): The original film that ‘Heaven Can Wait’ is a remake of, sharing the same core plot about a prematurely deceased man returning in another body.
• Big (1988): Features a similar body-swap premise with comedic and heartwarming elements, exploring themes of identity and second chances.
• Freaky Friday (2003): Another body-swap movie that focuses on the dynamic and hilarious results of the characters having to live each other’s lives and come to a greater understanding.
• Down to Earth (2001): A more modern comedic remake of ‘Heaven Can Wait’, starring Chris Rock.

🛒 Heaven Can Wait Related Products

• Heaven Can Wait (DVD): Own the classic movie and relive the heartwarming story of second chances and football glory.
• Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Champions Gear: Celebrate the Rams’ Super Bowl victory with official merchandise including jerseys, hats, and t-shirts.
• Los Angeles Rams Vintage Throwback T-Shirt: Show off your love for the Rams with this stylish throwback tee featuring the team’s classic logo.
• Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) – The Original Film: Own the original movie Here Comes Mr. Jordan starring Robert Montgomery. Own the classic that started it all!

🎧 Soundtrack

Heaven Can Wait features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Heaven Can Wait (Main Title)” – performed by Dave Grusin
• “The First Meeting” – performed by Dave Grusin
• “Sonata No 3, Movement 4” – performed by George Frideric Handel

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Elaine May On Warren Beatty & HEAVEN CAN WAIT

Ever wonder what it was like working with Warren Beatty? Elaine May shares some fascinating insights about him and ‘Heaven Can Wait’ that you won’t hear anywhere else. It’s a quick watch and super interesting!

Love Theme from Heaven Can Wait (1978) for piano – Composed by Dave Grusin

Remember that beautiful love theme from ‘Heaven Can Wait’? This piano version is absolutely gorgeous and might even be more moving than the original. Give it a listen!

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