Heaven Can Wait
Seen it?1978 | 101 min | Fantasy, Comedy, Romance, Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won an Oscar, it earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 7 times its budget. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics, anyone who wants a laugh and fantasy fans. If you loved Jerry Maguire, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Made in 1978: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Joe Pendleton is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn't ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently-murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant—the murderers—are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Art Direction. Won 3 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium. Also nominated for 8 more Oscars and 1 DGA Award. Plus 4 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$99 million worldwide on a $15 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 184K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Warren Beatty, Buck Henry
- Warren BeattyJoe Pendleton
- Julie ChristieBetty Logan
- James MasonMr. Jordan
- Jack WardenMax Corkle
- Charles GrodinTony Abbott
- Dyan CannonJulia Farnsworth
- Buck HenryThe Escort
- Vincent GardeniaKrim
- Joseph MaherSisk
- Hamilton CampBentley