Review of Just Like Heaven (1930) by Bill C — 01 Dec 2010

I love Reese Witherspoon, I always have. Ever since her turn in the 1996 thriller "Fear" whcih also launched the career of Mark Wahlberg, Reese has taken on role after role, more often than not. Even in the Legally Blonde films, which were mediocore, Reese still brought a sweet earthly charm to the character.

Going into seeing Just Like Heaven five years ago in theaters, it was to be expected to be what I see a lot of these days. A good concept, with talented actors, that will most likely fail. But this film does anything but fail.

A lonely and down on the world man named David, played by Mark Ruffalo, sublets a San Fransisco apartment, but he discovers soon enough, while trotting around in a towel, and getting drunk, that he's not alone. A young Doctor, named Elizabeth, shows up, and we met her earlier in the film, the victim of a car crash. Elizabeth doesen't know why David is there, afterall it's her apartment right? David is of course freaked out to the max.

What unfolds is all in one piece, tender, enjoyable, genuine, and at times quite funny! It's not often I laugh out loud during a Romantic Comedy in movies these days. But in this film, I often found myself, nearly on the floor. The scenes where Elizabeth tries to get rid of David, are quite funny, as are many that follow. Just when you think the movie is drowning in sappyness, something funny happens and it breaks the ice again. Really this is a perfect date movie. Really puts you at ease at the right time, and also tugs at the heart at the right times, without being overly cliche and sanctomonious.

Just Like Heaven is a movie I wish that would follow more in formulas today. This has a Capra-esque like feel to it, and I think more movies should draw from the inspiration of is work. Mark Waters gets that here, and he's made a wonderful film, with two likable and down to earth leads.

Also, there's some funny supporting work from Donal Logue, Dina Waters and Jon Heder playing the spiritual expert. All around they make this all the more enjoyabe.

Obviously I'll be called a sap or what not for liking this, centered out by many, you know what? Get off your high horses, a good movie is a good movie, and Just Like Heaven, is a really comfterable film for both guys and girls to agree on if you ask me.