Movie Review
Just Like Heaven
Grade: C-
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: The Edge
- Page 1 of 1
After much effort, it is impossible to watch this film and not be utterly disgusted with how implausible it is. Its intent is to be a romantic comedy about the supernatural, and there is nothing romantic, comedic, super or natural throughout the whole film.
Elizabeth Masterson (Reese Witherspoon), is what every patient hopes for in a doctor and is a 30-something emergency-room doctor. She's kind, compassionate and seems to care more about her patients than herself. And while working a 26-hour shift may look great for her career, it hinders Elizabeth's love life. One member of the hospital staff even mentions to her, "You're so lucky. All you have to do is worry about work," when talking with other staff members about their current love lives.
One can guess that the comment was supposed to make Elizabeth feel better about the lack of romance in her life, although that night Elizabeth was looking forward to meeting a blind date she was set up with by her sister. The date never goes through, however, because Elizabeth is killed when she gets hit by a truck.
David (Mark Ruffalo) is a depressed, alcoholic widower who is apartment hunting and chooses his home based on the best couch. This happens to be Elizabeth's old apartment. After seeing how untidy the new tenant is, Elizabeth's spirit appears to ask the man to use a coaster.
Of course, David thinks he's gone crazy, but after a while he accepts that Elizabeth is a ghost, and with the help of a realm-bookstore clerk with a sixth sense (Jon Heder), he helps Elizabeth remember who she is and was, and determine why her spirit will not move on.
What partially saves this film from being a complete bomb is that Witherspoon and Ruffalo are good actors and a decent team. However, it's way too mushy and predictable, even as a chick flick. Without telling the end of the movie, you probably already guessed it, and if you're thinking, "But she's dead!" it will somewhat annoy you how the film gets around that minor detail to show a love connection.
So cheap.
- Ashley Davis
Edge staff
Elizabeth Masterson (Reese Witherspoon), is what every patient hopes for in a doctor and is a 30-something emergency-room doctor. She's kind, compassionate and seems to care more about her patients than herself. And while working a 26-hour shift may look great for her career, it hinders Elizabeth's love life. One member of the hospital staff even mentions to her, "You're so lucky. All you have to do is worry about work," when talking with other staff members about their current love lives.
One can guess that the comment was supposed to make Elizabeth feel better about the lack of romance in her life, although that night Elizabeth was looking forward to meeting a blind date she was set up with by her sister. The date never goes through, however, because Elizabeth is killed when she gets hit by a truck.
David (Mark Ruffalo) is a depressed, alcoholic widower who is apartment hunting and chooses his home based on the best couch. This happens to be Elizabeth's old apartment. After seeing how untidy the new tenant is, Elizabeth's spirit appears to ask the man to use a coaster.
Of course, David thinks he's gone crazy, but after a while he accepts that Elizabeth is a ghost, and with the help of a realm-bookstore clerk with a sixth sense (Jon Heder), he helps Elizabeth remember who she is and was, and determine why her spirit will not move on.
What partially saves this film from being a complete bomb is that Witherspoon and Ruffalo are good actors and a decent team. However, it's way too mushy and predictable, even as a chick flick. Without telling the end of the movie, you probably already guessed it, and if you're thinking, "But she's dead!" it will somewhat annoy you how the film gets around that minor detail to show a love connection.
So cheap.
- Ashley Davis
Edge staff
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