Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Heaven Can Wait
1978
**½
Director: Warren Beatty, Buck Henry
Cast: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Jack Warden, Dyan Cannon, Charles Grodin, James Mason, Buck Henry, Vincent Gardenia

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton dies before his time, but he is allowed to return to Earth in the body of a millionaire. This fantasy comedy is likeable but its script and visual storytelling haven't aged well. It's odd that Joe's soul swaps bodies, but we just see the same Warren Beatty. Considering that we follow the fate of Joe's soul for more than 90 minutes, the ending is totally baffling. Tonally the movie is also all over the place. The wife and her lover repeatedly try to kill the millionaire, but it's never treated as anything but slapstick. Based on Harry Segall’s play, which was filmed once before as Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Academy Award winner for Best Production Design.