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      Heaven Can Wait

      1978, Comedy/Fantasy, 1h 41m

      48 Reviews 10,000+ Ratings

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      Critics Consensus

      A throwback to the high-gloss screwball comedies of the 1940s, Heaven Can Wait beguiles with seamless production values and great comic relief from Charles Grodin and Dianne Cannon. Read critic reviews

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      Heaven Can Wait  Photos

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      Movie Info

      Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty), quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, is killed in an auto accident. In the afterlife, Joe discovers that his guardian angel (Buck Henry) has taken him from his body prematurely, and he is due many more years on earth. Unable to return to his body, Joe assumes the form of greedy multimillionaire industrialist Leo Farnsworth. As Farnsworth, Joe attempts a return to football and falls in love with environmental activist Betty Logan (Julie Christie).

      Cast & Crew

      Critic Reviews for Heaven Can Wait

      Audience Reviews for Heaven Can Wait

      • Dec 27, 2020

        Delightfully reminiscent of certain comedies from the 30s and 40s. Grodin and Cannon give truly hysterical performances.

        Super Reviewer
      • Mar 22, 2017

        A pro-footballer is given a second chance after being taken out of the game early. A milquetoast remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordan, I would advise you see the original first before this lame-o copy, which, though the cast is stellar, has a low level life light going. Only James Mason and Dyan Cannon have any idea of what's needed here.

        kevin w Super Reviewer
      • Dec 20, 2015

        Very enjoyable film. Entertaining and thoughtful, and also pretty funny at times, along with some great football scenes, Heaven Can Wait has a bit of something for everyone.

        Stephen S Super Reviewer
      • Nov 29, 2014

        A consistently funny story concerning a backup quarterback (Warren Beatty) for the St. Louis Rams who finally gets his chance to start for the team before he is killed in a car accident. However, when he arrives at Heaven's gates he is told that he was killed by accident, and is instead given a new body of an older rich man where he is still determined to get his old job with the Rams back. While there are plenty of plot holes if you look at it closely, this movie aims to be a comedy and it accomplishes just that. Beatty's character is likeable and easy to root for and there are enough interesting characters and situations that arise that make this film worthwhile.

        Super Reviewer

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