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{{Short description|Film by Mark Waters}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = ''Just Like Heaven''
| name = Just like Heaven
| image = Just like Heaven poster.jpg
| image = Just like Heaven poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Mark Waters (director)|Mark Waters]]
| director = [[Mark Waters]]
| writer = {{ubl|[[Marc Levy]] (novel)|[[Peter Tolan]]|[[Leslie Dixon]]}}
| screenplay = {{ubl|[[Peter Tolan]]|[[Leslie Dixon]]}}
| starring = {{ubl|[[Reese Witherspoon]]|[[Mark Ruffalo]]}}
| based_on = {{based on|''[[If Only It Were True]]''|[[Marc Levy]]}}
| producer = [[Walter F. Parkes]]<br>[[Laurie MacDonald]]
| producer = {{ubl|[[Laurie MacDonald]]|[[Walter F. Parkes]]}}
| music = [[Rolfe Kent]]
| starring = {{ubl|[[Reese Witherspoon]]|[[Mark Ruffalo]]}}
| cinematography = [[Daryn Okada]]
| cinematography = [[Daryn Okada]]
| editing = [[Bruce Green]]
| editing = [[Bruce Green]]
| distributor = [[DreamWorks Pictures]]
| music = [[Rolfe Kent]]
| studio = [[Walter F. Parkes|Parkes]]/[[Laurie MacDonald|MacDonald Productions]]
| released = {{Film date|2005|09|16|}}
| runtime = 95 minutes
| distributor = [[DreamWorks Pictures]]
| country = United States
| released = {{Film date|2005|09|16}}
| language = English
| runtime = 95 minutes
| budget = $58 million
| country = United States
| language = English
| gross = $102.8 million<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=justlikeheaven.htm |title = ''Just Like Heaven'' (2005) | publisher = [[Box Office Mojo]] |accessdate = 2010-12-20}}</ref>
| budget = $58 million
| gross = $102.9 million
}}
}}


'''''Just Like Heaven''''' is a 2005 American [[romantic comedy]] [[fantasy film]] directed by [[Mark Waters (director)|Mark Waters]], starring [[Reese Witherspoon]] and [[Mark Ruffalo]]. It is based on the French novel ''[[If Only It Were True]]'' (''Et si c'était vrai...'') written by [[Marc Levy]].
'''''Just like Heaven''''' is a 2005 American [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[Mark Waters (director)|Mark Waters]] and starring [[Reese Witherspoon]] and [[Mark Ruffalo]]. It is based on the 1999 French novel ''[[If Only It Were True]]'' (''Et si c'était vrai...'') by [[Marc Levy]].


[[Steven Spielberg]] obtained the rights to produce the film from the book.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/386887.If_Only_It_Were_True | title = If Only It Were True (Et si c'était vrai #1) | publisher = Goodreads Inc.}}</ref> The film was released in the United States and Canada on September 16, 2005.
[[Steven Spielberg]] obtained the rights to produce the film from the book.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/386887.If_Only_It_Were_True | title = If Only It Were True (Et si c'était vrai #1) | publisher = Goodreads Inc. | access-date = 2011-07-10 | archive-date = 2012-04-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120429103254/http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/386887.If_Only_It_Were_True | url-status = live }}</ref> The film was released in the United States on September 16, 2005. Despite mixed reviews from critics, it grossed $102.9 million on a budget of $58 million.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Elizabeth Masterson (Witherspoon), a young emergency medicine physician whose work is her whole life, is in a serious car accident while on her way to a blind date. Three months later, David Abbott (Ruffalo), a landscape architect recovering from the sudden death of his wife, moves into the apartment that had been Elizabeth's, after 'discovering' it in what seems to be a fateful [[Wiktionary:happenstance#English|happenstance]].
Elizabeth Masterson, an emergency room physician in San Francisco focused on her profession, is in a car crash while on her way to a blind date at her sister's. Three months later, landscape architect David Abbott, needing a fresh start after his wife's death, takes a sublet on Elizabeth's apartment.


Elizabeth's spirit begins to appear to David in the apartment with [[ghost]]ly properties and abilities that make it clear that something is not right. She can suddenly appear and disappear, walk or move through walls and objects, and once takes over his actions. When they meet, they are both surprised, as Elizabeth is still unaware of her recent history and refuses to think she is dead. David tries to have her spirit exorcised from the apartment, but to no avail. Since only David can see and hear her, others think that he is hallucinating and talking to himself.
Elizabeth begins to appear in the apartment, and both are confused. She thinks he is a squatter, and he thinks she broke in. They soon realize she moves through walls and objects. Elizabeth does not know who she is and insists she is not dead. David unsuccessfully tries to have her spirit exorcised. As only David can see and hear her, others think he is hallucinating and talking to himself. Elizabeth asks him to help her discover who she really is. David talks to her neighbors but they do not know her.


David enlists the help of a psychic bookstore clerk, Darryl, who says Elizabeth is not really dead. He also tells David he has clearly got a blocked heart and needs to let go of the woman who was previously in his life. When Elizabeth says he should get over being dumped, he storms out, and Darryl tells Elizabeth to not disrespect the dead. She finds David and he explains about the death of his wife.
⚫
David and Elizabeth's spirits begin to bond, as much as that is possible, and he takes her out of town to a beautiful landscaped garden he designed. Elizabeth tells him she senses she has been there before, and in fact, the garden was something she was dreaming of in the opening scenes of the film, where she was awakened by a colleague from cat-napping after working a 26-hour shift in the hospital.
Together, assisted by a psychic bookstore clerk, Darryl (Heder), Elizabeth, and David find out who she is, what happened to her, and why they are connected. She is not dead, but in a [[coma]], her body being kept on [[life support]] at the hospital where she used to work. When David discovers that in accordance with her [[living will]], she will soon be allowed to die, he tries to prevent this by telling Elizabeth's sister, Abby, that he can see her and what the situation involves. One of Elizabeth's young nieces is revealed to be able also to sense her presence.


Checking a restaurant, she recognizes that a man has a medical emergency, so Elizabeth helps David save his life. Suddenly, she remembers being a doctor, and they go to the nearest hospital, where it all comes flooding back. Dr. Fran Lo, her mentor, takes him to Elizabeth, who is in a coma. When David touches her hand, Elizabeth feels it, meaning she is still connected to her body.
Abby thinks David is mentally disturbed and drives him out of her house. Desperate, David decides to prevent Elizabeth's death by stealing her from the hospital. He asks his friend/therapist Jack to help him and Jack is found to be actually Abby's former college boyfriend who had set up a blind date for David with Elizabeth on the night of the accident - the reason David can see Elizabeth is that they were meant to meet. He then admits to Jack and Elizabeth that he loves her and that is the reason he does not want her to die; he has gotten past the death of his wife. While stealing Elizabeth, they are quickly discovered in the hospital. The security guards find them, pulling Jack away from Elizabeth, but when he is grabbed, her breathing tube is removed. David gets away from the guards a bit longer, but Elizabeth is now dying. David frantically kisses the dying Elizabeth, breathing some air into her lungs, while her spirit begins to fade away. Then, amazingly, her heartbeat returns and she miraculously awakens from the coma. However, the recovered Elizabeth does not remember anything that happened during the coma or any of the events with David, who leaves the hospital in sadness.


Elizabeth's sister Abby arrives, and Dr. Brett Rushton{{snd}} Elizabeth's rival{{snd}} notifies her that Elizabeth signed a DNR order. He asks her to sign off on disconnecting life support, and she says she will consider it.
⚫
Sometime later, Elizabeth goes back to her apartment. She is drawn up to the roof of the building, which has been transformed into a beautiful landscaped garden. She finds David there, who has gotten in with a spare key Elizabeth's spirit had shown him. Just as he is about to leave, she asks for her key back. When their hands touch, her memory of the events during her coma are restored, and they kiss.

⚫
David and Elizabeth bond. When he takes her to a beautiful landscaped garden he designed, she tells him she senses she has been there before. In fact, she was dreaming of the garden (in the opening scenes of the film), while catnapping during a long shift.

When David is told he has been offered a long-term lease, he realizes Elizabeth will be taken off life support. He tries to prevent it by going to Abby's to tell her that she is communicating with him. While there, Elizabeth discovers that her niece Lily can see her. David begs Abby to keep her alive, but she has already signed the papers, with life support ending the next day. As a last-ditch effort, David blurts out Abby's secret from her wedding day, freaking her out so she drives him out of her house.

Elizabeth opts to spend her last night with David in the apartment. The next morning, he is determined to prevent her death by stealing her body from the hospital. He enlists his friend and therapist Jack to help. It turns out Jack is Abby's former college boyfriend, and the two had set up David and Elizabeth for a blind date on the night of the crash; David can see her because they were meant to meet. He admits to Jack and Elizabeth that he loves her.

Security guards catch them trying to steal Elizabeth's body. As they pull Jack away from her, her breathing tube comes off. Elizabeth is now dying, and David frantically kisses her body, while her spirit fades away. Her heartbeat returns and she awakens from the coma. She recognizes Abby, but not David, and he sadly leaves.

⚫
Sometime later, Elizabeth moves back into her apartment. Drawn to the roof, she finds David, who has transformed it into a landscaped garden. He reveals he had gotten in using the spare key her spirit had shown him. When Elizabeth asks for her key back, their hands touch, her memory of the events during her coma is restored, and they kiss happily.

The final scene fades away from the rooftop to show Darryl staring into a snow globe, happy with "seeing" how things have turned out.


==Cast==
==Cast==
<!--- [[WP:NOTDATABASE]] - cast and order per opening tombstone stand-alone credits, roles per closing credits scroll --->
* [[Reese Witherspoon]] as Dr. Elizabeth Masterson
{{cast listing|
* [[Mark Ruffalo]] as David Abbot
* [[Ivana Miličević]] as Katrina
* [[Reese Witherspoon]] as Elizabeth
* [[Jon Heder]] as Darryl
* [[Mark Ruffalo]] as David
* [[Donal Logue]] as Jack
* [[Donal Logue]] as Jack
* [[Dina Waters]] as Abby Brody
* [[Dina Spybey|Dina Waters]] as Abby<!--- not “credited as”, given equally long history as Waters --->
* [[Rosalind Chao]] as Dr. Fran Lo
* [[Ben Shenkman]] as Brett
* [[Ben Shenkman]] as Dr. Brett Rushton
* [[Ivana Miličević]] as Katrina
* [[Joel McKinnon Miller]] as Lead Ghostbuster
* [[Caroline Aaron]] as Grace
* [[Caroline Aaron]] as Grace
* [[Kerris Dorsey]] as Zoe Brody
* [[Rosalind Chao]] as Fran
* [[Alyssa Shafer]] as Lily Brody
* [[Ron Canada]] as Walsh
* [[Willie Garson]] as Maitre D'
* [[Jon Heder]] as Darryl
}}

==Reception==


==Critical reception==
===Critical response===
Critics were mixed on the film. The film achieved a 56% approval rating from 149 reviews on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] and the consensus "Delightfully sweet like a lollipop, ''Just Like Heaven'' is a dreamy romantic comedy that may give you a toothache when it attempts to broach difficult end of life issues by throwing a cherry on top."<ref name="RT">{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/just_like_heaven/|title=Just Like Heaven (2005)|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref> However, the most prominent critics – such as [[Roger Ebert]], [[Richard Roeper]], and [[A. O. Scott]] – gave it favorable reviews;<ref name="RT"/> they all agreed that the plot had logical flaws that were somewhat overcome by good dialogue and characterization.
{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|Delightfully sweet like a lollipop, ''Just Like Heaven'' is a dreamy romantic comedy that may give you a toothache when it attempts to broach difficult end of life issues by throwing a cherry on top.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-01-25}} {{MC film|47|31|ref=yes|access-date=2023-01-25}}


[[Roger Ebert]], [[Richard Roeper]], and [[A. O. Scott]] all gave it favorable reviews, agreeing that the plot had logical flaws that were somewhat overcome by good dialogue and characterization.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}}<!-- each review needs a proper reference to the original review -->
The performances of Witherspoon, Ruffalo, and Heder were all generally well received. Heder's appearance helped to debunk an urban legend that the actor had died shortly after filming ''Napoleon Dynamite''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.snopes.com/movies/actors/heder.asp|title=Napoleon Die-namite | publisher=[[Snopes.com]]|accessdate=October 19, 2012}}</ref>


===Box office===
The DVD release in February 2006 was given unusually strong promotional publicity.
''Just like Heaven'' grossed $48.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $54.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $102.9 million, against a budget of $58 million.<ref name=BOM>{{Cite Box Office Mojo |access-date=2023-01-25}}</ref>


==Theme song==
==Theme song==
The title of this film is also that of a popular 1987 song, "[[Just Like Heaven (song)|Just Like Heaven]]" by [[The Cure]]. Singer [[Katie Melua]] recorded a cover version of the song for the soundtrack of the film. Melua's version is played over the opening titles, and has lines such as "she said" changed to "he said" to maintain a heterosexual narrative. The original version by The Cure, as well as the remainder of Melua's version, are played over the closing credits.
The title of this film is also that of a popular 1987 song, "[[Just like Heaven (The Cure song)|Just like Heaven]]" by [[The Cure]]. Singer [[Katie Melua]] recorded a cover version of the song for the soundtrack of the film. Melua's version is played over the opening titles and has lines such as "she said" changed to "he said" to maintain a heterosexual narrative. The original version by The Cure, as well as the remainder of Melua's version, are played over the closing credits.


The orchestral score was written by [[Rolfe Kent]], and orchestrated by [[Tony Blondal]].
The orchestral score was written by [[Rolfe Kent]], and orchestrated by [[Tony Blondal]].
Line 68: Line 86:
|-
|-
|align="center"|01
|align="center"|01
| "Just Like Heaven"
| "[[Just like Heaven (The Cure song)|Just like Heaven]]"
| [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]], [[Boris Williams]], <br> [[Simon Gallup]], [[Porl Thompson|Paul Thompson]],<br> and [[Lol Tolhurst|Laurence Tolhurst]]
| [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]], [[Boris Williams]], [[Simon Gallup]], [[Pearl Thompson|Paul Thompson]], and [[Lol Tolhurst|Laurence Tolhurst]]
| [[Katie Melua]]
| [[Katie Melua]]
| [[Ralph Sall]] and Mike Batt
| [[Ralph Sall]] and [[Mike Batt]]
| Dramatico Records
|[[Dramatico|Dramatico Records]]
|
|
|-
|-
|align="center"|02
|align="center"|02
| "Lust For Life"
| "[[Lust for Life (Iggy Pop song)|Lust for Life]]"
| [[David Bowie]] and [[Iggy Pop]]
| [[David Bowie]] and [[Iggy Pop]]
| [[Kay Hanley]]
| [[Kay Hanley]]
Line 84: Line 102:
|-
|-
|align="center"|03
|align="center"|03
| "Strange Invitation"
| "[[Jack-Ass (song)|Strange Invitation]]"
| [[Beck]]
| [[Beck]]
| Beck
| Beck
|
|
| Geffen Records
|[[Geffen Records]]
| Universal Music Enterprises
|[[Universal Music Enterprises]]
|-
|-
|align="center"|04
|align="center"|04
| "Good Times Roll"
| "[[Good Times Roll]]"
| [[Ric Ocasek]]
| [[Ric Ocasek]]
| [[The Cars]]
| [[The Cars]]
|
|
| Elektra Entertainment Group
|[[Elektra Records|Elektra Entertainment Group]]
| Warner Music Group<br>(Film & TV)
|[[Warner Music Group]]<br>(Film & TV)
|-
|-
|align="center"|05
|align="center"|05
| "I Put A Spell On You"
| "[[I Put a Spell on You]]"
| [[Jay Hawkins]]
|[[Screamin' Jay Hawkins|Jay Hawkins]]
| Screamin'<br>Jay Hawkins
| Screamin'<br>Jay Hawkins
|
|
| Epic Records
|[[Epic Records]]
| Sony/BMG Music<br>Entertainment
|[[Sony BMG|Sony/BMG Music<br>Entertainment]]
|-
|-
|align="center"|06
|align="center"|06
| "Just My Imagination<br>(Running Away With Me)"
| "[[Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)]]"
| [[Barrett Strong]] and<br>Norman J. Whitfield
| [[Barrett Strong]] and [[Norman Whitfield|Norman J. Whitfield]]
| [[Pete Yorn]]
| [[Pete Yorn]]
| Ralph Sall
| Ralph Sall
| Columbia Records<br>(Pete Yorn appearance)
|[[Columbia Records]]<br>(Pete Yorn appearance)
|
|
|-
|-
|align="center"|07
|align="center"|07
| "Bad Faith"<br>"Fuji Dawn"
| "Bad Faith"<br>"Fuji Dawn"
| [[Andrew Dorfman]]
| Andrew Dorfman
|
|
|
|
Line 124: Line 142:
|-
|-
|align="center"|08
|align="center"|08
| "Tomorrow"<br>(from the Broadway musical<br>''Annie'')
| "[[Tomorrow (song from Annie)|Tomorrow]]"<br>(from the Broadway musical<br>''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'')
| [[Martin Charnin]] and [[Charles Strouse]]
| [[Martin Charnin]] and [[Charles Strouse]]
| [[Reese Witherspoon]]
| [[Reese Witherspoon]]
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|-
|-
|align="center"|09
|align="center"|09
| "Ghostbusters"
| "[[Ghostbusters (song)|Ghostbusters]]"
| [[Ray Parker Jr.]]
| [[Ray Parker Jr.]]
| [[Bowling For Soup]]
|[[Bowling for Soup]]
| Ralph Sall and Jaret Reddick
| Ralph Sall and [[Jaret Reddick]]
| Jive Records<br>(Bowling For Soup appearance)
|[[Jive Records]]<br>(Bowling For Soup appearance)
|
|
|-
|-
|align="center"|10
|align="center"|10
| "Big Brown Eyes"
| "Big Brown Eyes"
| [[Ron Hacker]]
| Ron Hacker
| Ron Hacker
| Ron Hacker
|
|
Line 149: Line 167:
|align="center"|11
|align="center"|11
| "Moonbeam Lullabye"
| "Moonbeam Lullabye"
| [[Daniel May (composer)|Daniel May]]
| Daniel May
| Daniel May
| Daniel May
|
|
| Marc Ferrari/Matersource
|[[Marc Ferrari]]/Matersource
|
|
|-
|-
|align="center"|12
|align="center"|12
| "Jungle Fever"
| "[[Jungle Fever (song)|Jungle Fever]]"
| [[Bill Ador]]
| Bill Ador
| [[Chakachas]]
|[[The Chakachas]]
|
|
| Universal Music S.A.<br>(Belgium)
| Universal Music S.A.<br>(Belgium)
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|-
|-
|align="center"|13
|align="center"|13
| "Brass In Pocket"
| "[[Brass in Pocket]]"
| [[Chrissie Hynde]] &<br>[[James Honeyman-Scott]]
| [[Chrissie Hynde]] & [[James Honeyman-Scott]]
| [[Kelis]]
| [[Kelis]]
| Ralph Sall
| Ralph Sall
| La Face Records/<br>The Zomba Label<br>Group ([[Kelis]] appearance)
|[[LaFace Records]]/<br>The [[RCA/Jive Label Group|Zomba Label<br>Group]] ([[Kelis]] appearance)
|
|
|-
|-
|align="center"|14
|align="center"|14
| "Swim With Me"
| "Swim with Me"
| [[Murray Cook]], [[Jeff Fatt]], [[Anthony Field]], [[Greg Page (musician)|Greg Page]], and [[Paul Paddick]]
| [[Murray Cook]], [[Jeff Fatt]], [[Anthony Field]], [[Greg Page (musician)|Greg Page]], and [[Paul Paddick]]
| [[The Wiggles]]
| [[The Wiggles]]
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|-
|-
|align="center"|15
|align="center"|15
| "Bad Case Of Lovin' You"
| "[[Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)|Bad Case of Lovin' You]]"
| John Martin
|[[Moon Martin|John Martin]]
| [[Emerson Hart]]
| [[Emerson Hart]]
| Ralph Sall
| Ralph Sall
Line 188: Line 206:
|-
|-
|align="center"|16
|align="center"|16
| "Spooky"
| "[[Spooky (Classics IV song)|Spooky]]"
| [[Buddy Buie]], [[J.R. Cobb|James Cobb]], [[Harry Middlebrooks]], and Mike Shapiro
| [[Buddy Buie]], [[J. R. Cobb|James Cobb]], Harry Middlebrooks, and Mike Shapiro
| [[Imogen Heap]]
| [[Imogen Heap]]
| Ralph Sall and Imogen Heap
| Ralph Sall and Imogen Heap
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| Amos Lee
| Amos Lee
|
|
| Blue Note Records
|[[Blue Note Records]]
| EMI Film and Television Music
|[[EMI|EMI Film and Television Music]]
|-
|-
|align="center"|18
|align="center"|18
| "Just Like Heaven"
| "Just like Heaven"
|
|
| [[The Cure]]
| [[The Cure]]
|
|
| Elektra Entertainment Group<br>Warner Music Group<br>Film & TV Licensing<br>& Fiction Records Limited/<br>Polydor Ltd. (U.K.)
| Elektra Entertainment Group<br>[[Warner Music Group]]<br>Film & TV Licensing<br>& [[Fiction Records]] Limited/<br>[[Polydor Records|Polydor Ltd.]] (U.K.)
| Universal Music Enterprises
| Universal Music Enterprises
|}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
*''[[Always (1989 film)]]''
*''[[Endukante... Premanta!]]''
*''[[Endukante... Premanta!]]''
*''[[Ghost (1990 film)]]''
*''[[Ghost (1990 film)]]''
*''[[Always (1989 film)]]''
*''[[Ghost Town (2008 film)|Ghost Town]]''
* [[Soulmate]]s
*[[Soulmate]]s
*[[Vismayathumbathu]] (2004)
*[[Vismayathumbathu]] (2004)
*[[Bring It On, Ghost]] (2016)


==References==
==References==
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{{Wikiquote|Just Like Heaven}}
{{Wikiquote|Just Like Heaven}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20050924194244/http://www.justlikeheaven-themovie.com:80/}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20050924194244/http://www.justlikeheaven-themovie.com:80/}}
* {{IMDb title|0425123|Just Like Heaven}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* {{Amg movie|319730|Just Like Heaven}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes|just_like_heaven|Just Like Heaven}}


{{Mark Waters}}
{{Mark Waters}}
{{Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Romance}}
{{Teen Choice Award Choice Movie Romance}}
{{Portal bar|Film|Comedy|Society|Visual arts}}


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[[Category:2000s romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2005 films]]
[[Category:2005 films]]
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[[Category:2005 fantasy films]]
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[[Category:2005 romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:2000s ghost films]]
[[Category:2000s romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:American fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:American ghost films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures films]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:Films about death]]
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[[Category:Fantasy-comedy films]]
[[Category:Films based on fantasy novels]]
[[Category:Films based on fantasy novels]]
[[Category:Films based on French novels]]
[[Category:Films based on French novels]]
[[Category:Films based on romance novels]]
[[Category:Films based on romance novels]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mark Waters]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mark Waters]]
[[Category:Films produced by Walter F. Parkes]]
[[Category:Films scored by Rolfe Kent]]
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[[Category:Films set in hospitals]]
[[Category:Films set in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Films set in San Francisco]]
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[[Category:Films set in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Films shot in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Films shot in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Ghost films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Leslie Dixon]]
[[Category:Romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Peter Tolan]]
[[Category:Screenplays by Peter Tolan]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]]
[[Category:Hospital films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic fantasy films]]
[[Category:English-language fantasy comedy films]]

[[Category:Teen Choice Award winning films]]
[[zh-min-nan:Just like Heaven (tiān-iáⁿ)]]

Latest revision as of 00:30, 22 December 2024

Just like Heaven
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMark Waters
Screenplay by
Based onIf Only It Were True
by Marc Levy
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDaryn Okada
Edited byBruce Green
Music byRolfe Kent
Production
company
Distributed byDreamWorks Pictures
Release date
  • September 16, 2005 (2005-09-16)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$58 million
Box office$102.9 million

Just like Heaven is a 2005 American fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Mark Waters and starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. It is based on the 1999 French novel If Only It Were True (Et si c'était vrai...) by Marc Levy.

Steven Spielberg obtained the rights to produce the film from the book.[1] The film was released in the United States on September 16, 2005. Despite mixed reviews from critics, it grossed $102.9 million on a budget of $58 million.

Plot

[edit]

Elizabeth Masterson, an emergency room physician in San Francisco focused on her profession, is in a car crash while on her way to a blind date at her sister's. Three months later, landscape architect David Abbott, needing a fresh start after his wife's death, takes a sublet on Elizabeth's apartment.

Elizabeth begins to appear in the apartment, and both are confused. She thinks he is a squatter, and he thinks she broke in. They soon realize she moves through walls and objects. Elizabeth does not know who she is and insists she is not dead. David unsuccessfully tries to have her spirit exorcised. As only David can see and hear her, others think he is hallucinating and talking to himself. Elizabeth asks him to help her discover who she really is. David talks to her neighbors but they do not know her.

David enlists the help of a psychic bookstore clerk, Darryl, who says Elizabeth is not really dead. He also tells David he has clearly got a blocked heart and needs to let go of the woman who was previously in his life. When Elizabeth says he should get over being dumped, he storms out, and Darryl tells Elizabeth to not disrespect the dead. She finds David and he explains about the death of his wife.

Checking a restaurant, she recognizes that a man has a medical emergency, so Elizabeth helps David save his life. Suddenly, she remembers being a doctor, and they go to the nearest hospital, where it all comes flooding back. Dr. Fran Lo, her mentor, takes him to Elizabeth, who is in a coma. When David touches her hand, Elizabeth feels it, meaning she is still connected to her body.

Elizabeth's sister Abby arrives, and Dr. Brett Rushton – Elizabeth's rival – notifies her that Elizabeth signed a DNR order. He asks her to sign off on disconnecting life support, and she says she will consider it.

David and Elizabeth bond. When he takes her to a beautiful landscaped garden he designed, she tells him she senses she has been there before. In fact, she was dreaming of the garden (in the opening scenes of the film), while catnapping during a long shift.

When David is told he has been offered a long-term lease, he realizes Elizabeth will be taken off life support. He tries to prevent it by going to Abby's to tell her that she is communicating with him. While there, Elizabeth discovers that her niece Lily can see her. David begs Abby to keep her alive, but she has already signed the papers, with life support ending the next day. As a last-ditch effort, David blurts out Abby's secret from her wedding day, freaking her out so she drives him out of her house.

Elizabeth opts to spend her last night with David in the apartment. The next morning, he is determined to prevent her death by stealing her body from the hospital. He enlists his friend and therapist Jack to help. It turns out Jack is Abby's former college boyfriend, and the two had set up David and Elizabeth for a blind date on the night of the crash; David can see her because they were meant to meet. He admits to Jack and Elizabeth that he loves her.

Security guards catch them trying to steal Elizabeth's body. As they pull Jack away from her, her breathing tube comes off. Elizabeth is now dying, and David frantically kisses her body, while her spirit fades away. Her heartbeat returns and she awakens from the coma. She recognizes Abby, but not David, and he sadly leaves.

Sometime later, Elizabeth moves back into her apartment. Drawn to the roof, she finds David, who has transformed it into a landscaped garden. He reveals he had gotten in using the spare key her spirit had shown him. When Elizabeth asks for her key back, their hands touch, her memory of the events during her coma is restored, and they kiss happily.

The final scene fades away from the rooftop to show Darryl staring into a snow globe, happy with "seeing" how things have turned out.

Cast

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Reception

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Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 54% of 149 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "Delightfully sweet like a lollipop, Just Like Heaven is a dreamy romantic comedy that may give you a toothache when it attempts to broach difficult end of life issues by throwing a cherry on top."[2] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 47 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[3]

Roger Ebert, Richard Roeper, and A. O. Scott all gave it favorable reviews, agreeing that the plot had logical flaws that were somewhat overcome by good dialogue and characterization.[citation needed]

Box office

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Just like Heaven grossed $48.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $54.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $102.9 million, against a budget of $58 million.[4]

Theme song

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The title of this film is also that of a popular 1987 song, "Just like Heaven" by The Cure. Singer Katie Melua recorded a cover version of the song for the soundtrack of the film. Melua's version is played over the opening titles and has lines such as "she said" changed to "he said" to maintain a heterosexual narrative. The original version by The Cure, as well as the remainder of Melua's version, are played over the closing credits.

The orchestral score was written by Rolfe Kent, and orchestrated by Tony Blondal.

Soundtrack

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Track No. Title Writer and music composer Performer Producer Courtesy (TM/C) License
01 "Just like Heaven" Robert Smith, Boris Williams, Simon Gallup, Paul Thompson, and Laurence Tolhurst Katie Melua Ralph Sall and Mike Batt Dramatico Records
02 "Lust for Life" David Bowie and Iggy Pop Kay Hanley Ralph Sall
03 "Strange Invitation" Beck Beck Geffen Records Universal Music Enterprises
04 "Good Times Roll" Ric Ocasek The Cars Elektra Entertainment Group Warner Music Group
(Film & TV)
05 "I Put a Spell on You" Jay Hawkins Screamin'
Jay Hawkins 		Epic Records Sony/BMG Music
Entertainment
06 "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" Barrett Strong and Norman J. Whitfield Pete Yorn Ralph Sall Columbia Records
(Pete Yorn appearance)
07 "Bad Faith"
"Fuji Dawn" 		Andrew Dorfman Megathor Music
08 "Tomorrow"
(from the Broadway musical
Annie) 		Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse Reese Witherspoon
09 "Ghostbusters" Ray Parker Jr. Bowling for Soup Ralph Sall and Jaret Reddick Jive Records
(Bowling For Soup appearance)
10 "Big Brown Eyes" Ron Hacker Ron Hacker
11 "Moonbeam Lullabye" Daniel May Daniel May Marc Ferrari/Matersource
12 "Jungle Fever" Bill Ador The Chakachas Universal Music S.A.
(Belgium) 		Universal Music Enterprises
13 "Brass in Pocket" Chrissie Hynde & James Honeyman-Scott Kelis Ralph Sall LaFace Records/
The Zomba Label
Group (Kelis appearance)
14 "Swim with Me" Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt, Anthony Field, Greg Page, and Paul Paddick The Wiggles The Wiggles Production PTY Limited
15 "Bad Case of Lovin' You" John Martin Emerson Hart Ralph Sall
16 "Spooky" Buddy Buie, James Cobb, Harry Middlebrooks, and Mike Shapiro Imogen Heap Ralph Sall and Imogen Heap Megaphone Records
(Imogen Heap appearance) 		Zync Music Inc.
17 "Colors" Amos Lee Amos Lee Blue Note Records EMI Film and Television Music
18 "Just like Heaven" The Cure Elektra Entertainment Group
Warner Music Group
Film & TV Licensing
& Fiction Records Limited/
Polydor Ltd. (U.K.) 		Universal Music Enterprises

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "If Only It Were True (Et si c'était vrai #1)". Goodreads Inc. Archived from the original on 2012-04-29. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
  2. ^ "Just like Heaven". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 2023-01-25. Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ "Just like Heaven". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  4. ^ "Just like Heaven". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 2023-01-25.Edit this at Wikidata
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