Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
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.
Heaven Can Wait is a charming, crowd-pleasing fantasy-comedy remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie delivering warm, likable performances and James Mason adding quiet elegance as the celestial escort. The plot is amiable and well-constructed, blending afterlife whimsy with sports ambition and romantic comedy, though it never transcends its remake origins. Cinematography is competent but unremarkable for the era. Novelty is limited — the film consciously follows its source material and hits familiar beats without a strongly distinctive voice. The ending is satisfying in a bittersweet, gently ambiguous way that suits the tone. Overall a pleasant, well-acted mid-tier Hollywood comedy without exceptional craft in any single dimension.