A movie that's likely to appeal only to the most susceptible and uncritical romantics.
Just Like Heaven (2005)
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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
Viewers are likely to feel they are enduring the film for an eternity rather than being entertained by it.
[Mark Waters] has pretty well delivered just what young PG-13 girls carrying that extra pack of Kleenex will expect.
Witherspoon officially claims Meg Ryan's title as the reigning queen of romantic comedy. ...(Her) disarming charm carries the day and saves the story. All hail the queen.
Given its somewhat morbid premise, this metaphysical second-chance comedy is impressively nimble and cheery.
Many romantic comedies have a Sleeping Beauty theme, but few as literally as this by-the-book but enjoyable trifle.
It's "Ghost" with giggles, or "Ghostbusters" meets "Sleeping Beauty." Either way, it's an unabashedly romantic. heart-warming, comedic fable.
Just Like Heaven isn't a groundbreaking movie -- where romantic comedy is concerned, there isn't much ground left to break -- but it contains some nice moments and fresh twists.
Just Like Heaven is a huge waste of talent (Witherspoon's) and time (ours), a supernatural romantic comedy that is neither romantic, comedic, super or natural.
Just like you might expect, the cuddly, often funny romantic comedy Just Like Heaven sticks its head permanently in the clouds.
The sharp, slangy script, coupled with a dynamite cast and direction that balances the magical with the real makes for a very entertaining movie.
Can one movie support these many coincidences and close calls and misunderstandings? Yes. The movie works, and so we accept everything.
The wildly disjointed movie somehow finds an inoffensive, so-so groove. Despite some original strokes and funny gags, it takes many what-if answers from other, better titles.
She’s not corporeal, so she compensates by being totally irritating, which gradually causes him…to fall in love with her?
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