Heaven Can Wait (1978)
|
|
Heaven Can Wait is a 1978 comedy film which tells the story of an American football star Joe Pendleton (Warren Beatty), quarterback of the then Los Angeles Rams preparing to lead his team to the Superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel (Buck Henry) plucks him out of his body early in the mistaken belief that his death was imminent, only to discover upon arriving in heaven 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 Leo Farnsworth is chosen. His wife (Dyan Cannon) and accountant (Charles Grodin), who are lovers and the murderers of his new body's former inhabitant, are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again be quarterback. In order to succeed, he must first convince then secure the aid of long time friend and trainer Max (Jack Warden) to be in shape to lead his team into the Superbowl. This scheme occurs while he also falls in love with a environmental protester Betty Logan (Julie Christie) who wants to confront the billionaire industrialist whose body he nows occupies.
The movie was adapted by Elaine May, Warren Beatty and Robert Towne (uncredited) from the original stage play by Heaven Can Wait by Harry Segall. It was directed by Beatty and Henry.
It won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Warren Beatty), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Jack Warden), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Dyan Cannon), Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Music, Original Score, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
This movie should not be confused with the 1943 movie also called Heaven Can Wait. Instead, it is a remake of the 1941 film Here Comes Mr. Jordan.
It was subsequently remade several times, with different titles:
credits
(A full list can be found at
- Cast (partial list in credits order)
