Just Like Heaven (Widescreen Edition)
by Mark Waters
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Actor: Ben Shenkman, Dina Waters, Donal Logue, Mark Ruffalo, Reese WitherspoonDirector: Mark Waters
Brand: DreamWorks
Producer: David B. Householter
Producer: Laurie MacDonald
Producer: Marc Levy
Writer: Marc Levy
Producer: Veronica Brooks
Writer: Leslie Dixon
Writer: Peter Tolan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; French (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
Published: 2006-02-01
DVD Release Date: 2006-02-07
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Dreamworks Video
DVD Reviews of Just Like Heaven (Widescreen Edition)
DVD Review: There's like this cancer causing ray of spirit hate searing right towards your body.
Summary: 2 Stars
Who remembers a film made in 1990 that literally swept the nation and awarded Whoopi with her one and only Oscar? Unchained Melody coupled with a new romantic way to create pottery, does that ring a bell to any of you film aficionados out there? For those that have ever had the opportunity to turn TBS on any given night will know that the film of which I speak about is the "Back when Swayze was Swayze" film called Ghost. Apparently, we, as a film viewing audience, have completely forgotten about that film and needed a void filled in our movie watching lives in which Hollywood revamped, updated, and regurgitated it back to a newer generation (those born post-1990) in the form of Just Like Heaven. While there were some minor changes (aka Ruffalo replacing Swayze), and a completely modern ending, what we were left with was just Ghost with a facelift. With transparent characters, a convoluted plot that ended as it opened, and actors hired for mere face dollar, Just Like Heaven proved that it was "Just Like (insert anything here)". Apparently leaving any form of originality and creativity behind, director Mark Waters only proved that upon watching repeat viewings of the film Ghost, crippling great bands like "The Cure" with embarrassing remakes, and giving Mark Ruffalo an undeserved leading role, Just Like Heaven felt like a generic rip-off instead of a brand name.
This film reminded me of that annoying Aunt that arrives to your house with the sole intention of telling you how cute you are while pinching your cheeks as hard as possible. Just Like Heaven's downfall was that it was too cute, too formulaic, too generic, and completely uneventful. As I watched the digital timer on my DVD player slowly reach an hour and a half, I kept wondering when this film was going to finally do or say something that was original. From the work-a-holic character of Reese Witherspoon to the completely unmatched Mark Ruffalo following the trail down towards the Ghost-like plot, and finally ending with a climax that felt plagiarized, nothing in this film was enjoyable. It became very obvious early in the film that even Jon Heder was employed only to bring those Napoleon Dynamite fans into the theater. He had one of the worst "catch-phrases" imaginable and used that same line to demolish any level of dignity that this film was hoping to end with. By the end of this film, I felt like someone tried to "hard sell" me the film. To put it even better, I think what disappointed me the most was the title. I felt like someone just sold me a machine called "Waffle Sensations", but it had nothing to do with waffles. It wasn't enjoyable to sit and watch because it lacked any spunk or spontaneity that I wanted to see from everyone involved with this film.
I am extremely upset with Reese Witherspoon. From everything that I have heard about her performance in Walk The Line, she is sure to win Oscar gold this year, but how can anyone respectively walk up to get their statuette with any honor after knowing that they made a film called Just Like Heaven. Reese has to be disappointed with her choices after this film. As she attempted to play "cute" to the audience, what actually came through the film was annoying. She was as transparent as a "ghost" could be both with her character and her overall point in the film. She randomly walked from room to room giving us no justification for anything that she did. Suddenly, this spirit confined to the apartment, which Ruffalo is in, can make her way to the bar, into Ruffalo's body, to a hospital miles away, and even throughout San Francisco. I think this film would have worked more if she weren't so mobile. Nearly midway through the film, I forgot she was a ghost. How bad is that? Then, there is Ruffalo. Oh, it is not easy for me to say, but this film was not his cup of tea. How can one go from making powerful independent films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and In the Cut, and suddenly expect audiences to lend their heart to him this film. I realize he was in 13 Going On 30, but I thought the poor box-office receipts of that film would put an end of Ruffalo as a leading man. Alas, I guess Hollywood proved me wrong again. Witherspoon and Ruffalo were completely mismatched from the beginning, and it hurt this film. We needed strong characters to get us through the hardships, but instead we had these cardboard actors just walking through the motions. It was embarrassing and only bored us completely.
I also blame director Mark Waters for this film. He had so much opportunity to create a very mellow, somewhat sad, yet completely humorous film. The points were there, no matter how much they resembled Ghost, but how Waters failed was that he could not bring everything together with enough strength. He didn't know how to balance the comedy and dramatic side to this story. You could instantly see this when Heder and Logue made their appearance on screen. Waters needed funny characters, cliché actors, to round out his story. If he would have instead hired funnier actors for the title roles, I believe he would have found himself with a decent little film. Instead, go with big names, supplement the humor to Heder and Logue because you know those will have the better lines and bring more into the theater. Waters failed as a director and he only has another forgettable romantic comedy to speak for. How sad.
Overall, I thought this was not a great film. Sure, listening to "The Cure" will give it one additional star, but outside of that there is nothing redeeming in this film. Unshaved Ruffalo? Give it to me in the form of a great indie film and it will pack me into the theaters each time, but this cliché story was nothing more than a Ghost knock-off. I felt like I was shopping at Wal-Mart for name brand fashions. I am sorry, but Just Like Heaven played it safe, cute, and predictable, and will be forgotten before the end of the year. I think the only thing to redeem this film would have been an actual buffalo playing the role of Ruffalo, but that may be a different film all together...
Grade: ** out of *****
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