Despite the modern trappings, Just Like Heaven is as retro as hell.
Just Like Heaven (2005)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:146
Fresh:83
Rotten:63
Average Rating:5.7/10
Consensus: Delightfully sweet like a lollipop, Just Like Heaven is a dreamy romantic comedy that may give you a toothache when it attempts to broach difficult end of life issues by throwing a cherry on top.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some sexual content.
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Genre: Romance, Theatrical Release
Theatrical Release:Sep 16, 2005 Wide
Box Office: $48,291,624
Synopsis: Suspension of disbelief is a necessity--albeit a pleasurable one--regarding many aspects of this romantic comedy, not the least of which being that either of its good-looking leads would ever lead... Suspension of disbelief is a necessity--albeit a pleasurable one--regarding many aspects of this romantic comedy, not the least of which being that either of its good-looking leads would ever lead lonely existences. Reese Witherspoon plays ambitious medical intern Elizabeth, who regularly clocks in 20 hour days at the hospital. Her work is her life, much to the chagrin of her sister Abby, who is married, with kids, and constantly attempting to get Elizabeth to go out more. When Abby finally succeeds in setting up a blind date for her sister, Elizabeth has an accident en route while driving to meet the mystery man, and the stage is set for love. David (Mark Ruffalo) has been apathetically searching for a new apartment in the cutthroat San Francisco housing market, while attempting to overcome his wife's death two years ago. When he finally finds the perfect place, nothing is going to make him leave, and this includes the blonde control freak (Elizabeth) who suddenly shows up while he's busy vegetating. She claims the apartment is hers, and it becomes ever clearer that Elizabeth doesn't remember her past, and shows irrefutable signs of being a ghost. David signs on to help her solve her own mystery, and the the two grow closer even as it becomes ever clearer that they'll never be able to be together. The chemistry between Witherspoon and Ruffalo breathes life into the well-trod terrain of the ghost love story, while NAPOLEON DYNAMITE'S Jon Heder almost steals the show as a bookstore worker with "the Gift." The slapstick humor resulting from David's conversations with his "invisible" companion is hilarious--in one standout scene, David saves a man's life as Elizabeth talks him through the task. The ultimate message about the power of love and wisely-used time gives added resonance to the tale. [More]
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Donal Logue, Dina Spybey
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Donal Logue, Dina Spybey, Ben Shenkman, Jon Heder, Ivana Milicevic
Director: Mark Waters
Director: Mark Waters
Screenwriter: Peter Tolan, Leslie Dixon
Producer: Laurie MacDonald, Walter F. Parkes
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
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Reviews for Just Like Heaven
The film sweetens and trivializes tragic circumstances that are all too common and neither funny nor romantic.
It’s not great for the same reason it isn’t terrible: It takes no risks.
I was laughing &/or crying the whole time (aside from the first & last ten minutes). I liked it!
Ever wonder about having a relationship with someone who would just disappear every so often? Well, that materializes here—and sometimes it doesn't look too bad
The brain activity never dips too low and this funny, charming picture never takes itself too seriously.
Just Like Heaven transcends the “chick flick” moniker that it coulda, shoulda had.
It's corny, it’s somewhat predictable, but it's also very sweet, it’s funny.
Witherspoon provides whip-smart comic timing and a bubbly charm that makes you love Elizabeth even when she's being Felix Unger to Ruffalo's Oscar Madison.
...two lead actors who are strong enough to carry the movie despite a predictable and mediocre screenplay
In the face of Witherspoon’s unrepentant charms, it’s very difficult to resist.
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