Just Like Heaven (2005)

Director:

Mark Waters

Writers (WGA):

Peter Tolan (screenplay) and
Leslie Dixon (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 September 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

It's a wonderful afterlife.

Plot:

A lonely landscape architect (Ruffalo) falls for the spirit of beautiful woman (Witherspoon) who used to live in his new apartment.

Plot Keywords:

San Francisco | Destiny | Rooftop | Sofa | Road Accident

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Reese Witherspoon	...	Dr. Elizabeth Masterson
Mark Ruffalo	...	David Abbott
Donal Logue	...	Jack Houriskey
Dina Spybey	...	Abby Brody (as Dina Waters)
Ben Shenkman	...	Dr. Brett Rushton
Jon Heder	...	Darryl
Ivana Milicevic	...	Katrina
Caroline Aaron	...	Grace
Rosalind Chao	...	Fran
Ron Canada	...	Dr. Walsh
Willie Garson	...	Maitre D'
Gabrielle Made	...	Nurse Maria
William Caploe	...	Nurse Bill
Shulie Cowen	...	Nurse Jenny
Billy Beck	...	Mr. Clarke

Also Known As:

If Only It Were True (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:10 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Norway:A | Canada:G (Québec) | Argentina:Atp | Philippines:PG-13 (Avid Phil) | Netherlands:6 | Ireland:PG | Mexico:A | Brazil:Livre | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Sweden:Btl | Hungary:14 | Singapore:PG | Malaysia:U | Czech Republic:12 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #41875) | UK:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:K-3 | South Korea:15 | Taiwan:PG-12

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

David and Elizabeth’s Apartment building it really about 6 stories tall but the view from the roof (done with CGI) is one from a much taller building. We look down upon other buildings that are of a similar height.

Goofs:

Continuity: When David is on the rooftop of Elizabeth's apt. with the real estate agent, the shadows show that the sun is behind her in the beginning of the scene, and when the camera angle changes, her shadow is now behind her indicating the "sun" is now in front.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Nurse Maria: Elizabeth...
Elizabeth Masterson: How long was I out?
Nurse Maria: Um, about six minutes.
Elizabeth Masterson: Thanks, I'll be right there.
Nurse Maria: OK, I'll be outside.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Ghost Busters (1984)

Soundtrack:

Ghostbusters

I was entertained

Why is a movie starring the wonderful Reese Witherspoon labeled a chick flick? Seems to me any male would want to see it. The viewer cannot help but love her character in this movie. Motherhood and marriage must agree with her, as she has never looked better.

Of course the storyline is quite fantastic and not very realistic. But who cares? I get up in the morning to face reality every day. I don't need to see too much of it at the movies.

Mark Rufalo did a fine job of acting, but to me it was Reese's movie all the way. I wonder why our movie critics and voters for Oscars and such don't give much weight to comedic actors and actresses? It takes just as much talent, and actually there are in my estimation less who really pull off comedic roles well. Reese Witherspoon has done it many times, and doesn't disappoint here. Most modern so-called comedies to me are simply not funny. However, this movie did make me laugh. The guy who works in the psychic bookstore was hilarious.

But this movie isn't all about comedy. It does touch at the heartstrings of any member of the human race who feels left out, feels like they are missing it. Usually a movie has one person who the viewer can really relate to. In this case, both leads played people who I could relate to.

If constant special effects, extreme violence, streams of foul language, or total realism are for you, then perhaps you should skip this movie. For the rest of us who can enjoy a romantic comedy, I can't imagine not being entertained by this movie. I left it feeling great.