Okay, fellow tape travelers, let's rewind to a time just before the neon glow of the 80s fully took hold, but the spirit of enchanting, feel-good cinema was already warming up the VCR. We're dialing back to 1978 for a film that feels like a comforting dream wrapped in stardust and shoulder pads: Warren Beatty's delightful Heaven Can Wait. While technically a late 70s picture, its gentle blend of fantasy, romance, and comedy absolutely set a tone that echoed through many beloved films of the decade that followed, making it a perfect fit for our VHS Heaven archives.
### A Touchdown Before His Time
The premise itself has a wonderfully whimsical, almost screwball quality. Warren Beatty, radiating his signature movie-star charm, plays Joe Pendleton, a backup quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams who’s finally getting his shot at the Super Bowl. He’s fit, focused, and maybe just a little bit obsessed with his own physical perfection. Tragedy strikes (or seems to) during a bike ride through a tunnel, and Joe finds himself prematurely plucked from Earth by an overeager, inexperienced celestial Escort (Buck Henry, who also co-directed with Beatty). The kicker? It wasn't actually his time. Cue the heavenly bureaucracy, presided over by the impeccably calm and sophisticated Mr. Jordan, played with effortless grace by the legendary James Mason. You just knew watching Mason that everything, eventually, would be alright, even amidst cosmic clerical errors.
### Finding a New Body, Finding Love
The problem is, Joe's body has already been cremated. Oops. Mr. Jordan, ever the problem-solver, offers Joe a temporary solution: inhabit the body of a recently murdered millionaire industrialist, Leo Farnsworth. This sets the stage for a classic fish-out-of-water scenario, but Heaven Can Wait handles it with a surprising sweetness rather than pure slapstick. Beatty, now looking like… well, Warren Beatty in expensive suits… retains Joe's earnest soul, his football obsession, and his fundamental decency, all while navigating the treacherous waters of the Farnsworth estate. This includes Farnsworth’s adulterous wife Julia (Dyan Cannon, absolutely stealing scenes and earning an Oscar nomination for her hilarious performance) and her lover/Farnsworth’s secretary, Tony Abbott (Charles Grodin, master of the deadpan). Their murderous plotting provides a darkly comedic counterpoint to Joe's inherent goodness.
Of course, the heart of the film beats strongest when Joe, as Farnsworth, encounters the passionate environmental activist Betty Logan, played by the luminous Julie Christie. Betty arrives ready to rail against Farnsworth's corporate indifference, only to find a man utterly disarmed by her fire and completely unlike the ruthless tycoon she expected. Their burgeoning romance is tender and utterly believable, anchored by the undeniable chemistry between Beatty and Christie (who had previously starred together in films like Shampoo (1975) and McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971)). It’s this central relationship, penned with sensitivity by Elaine May and Beatty (adapting the earlier play and the 1941 film Here Comes Mr. Jordan), that elevates the film beyond mere concept.
### Retro Fun Facts & Heavenly Success
Digging through the archives for this one reveals some gems! Heaven Can Wait wasn't just charming; it was a certified smash hit. On a budget reportedly around $15 million, it soared past $98 million at the domestic box office – a staggering success in 1978 (that's well over $450 million in today's money!). The Academy certainly noticed, showering the film with nine nominations, including Best Picture, Director, Actor (Beatty), Supporting Actor (Jack Warden as Joe's loyal trainer, Max), and Supporting Actress (Cannon), ultimately winning for its gorgeous Art Direction – that Farnsworth mansion, filmed at the stunning Filoli Estate in California, was pure fantasy fuel.
Interestingly, Beatty originally considered boxing legend Muhammad Ali for the role of Joe Pendleton, which would have made for a very different film! And Buck Henry, pulling double duty as co-director and the befuddled Escort, was also the co-creator of the classic spy spoof TV series Get Smart. The film's gentle, optimistic tone, coupled with Dave Grusin's lovely score, struck a chord with audiences looking for warmth and wit.
### Why It Still Plays
Watching Heaven Can Wait today feels like slipping into a warm bath. It’s funny without being cynical, romantic without being saccharine, and fantastical without losing its human touch. Beatty embodies Joe's optimistic spirit perfectly, making you root for him whether he's trying to convince his old trainer he's still Joe or awkwardly trying to buy the Rams. The supporting cast is impeccable, especially Cannon and Grodin as the deliciously inept villains.
It lacks the frantic energy or visual effects spectacle that would define many 80s blockbusters, but its charm is timeless. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest stories – about second chances, finding love in unexpected places, and the enduring power of a good heart (even when it's in someone else's chest) – are the ones that stick with us. It captured a certain kind of hopeful Hollywood magic that feels particularly comforting to revisit.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 8.5/10
Heaven Can Wait earns this high score for its effortless charm, stellar performances across the board (especially Beatty, Christie, Mason, and the nominated Cannon), witty script, and genuinely heartwarming story. It expertly balances comedy, romance, and a touch of the fantastical, creating a feel-good experience that avoids becoming overly sentimental. While its pacing is gentler than later genre fare, its quality and heart shine through, making it a truly lovely piece of filmmaking that feels right at home in our nostalgic collection.
It’s a film that reminds you, gently, that even when things seem cosmically messed up, there’s usually a way forward, maybe even towards something wonderful. Now, who's got the popcorn?