| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Warren Beatty | ... | ||
| Julie Christie | ... | ||
| James Mason | ... | ||
| Jack Warden | ... | ||
| Charles Grodin | ... | ||
| Dyan Cannon | ... | ||
| Buck Henry | ... | ||
| Vincent Gardenia | ... | ||
| Joseph Maher | ... | ||
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Hamilton Camp | ... | |
| Arthur Malet | ... | ||
| Stephanie Faracy | ... | ||
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Jeannie Linero | ... | |
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Harry D.K. Wong | ... | |
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George J. Manos | ... |
Security Guard
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Joe Pendleton is a football quarterback preparing to lead his team to the Superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he was not ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. Another body must be found without his death being discovered, and that of a recently murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant, the murderers, are confused by this development, as he buys the Los Angeles Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl. At the same time, he falls in love with an English environmental activist who disapproves of his policies and actions. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
I too was surprised that this film received a not-much-better than average rating. I am not a huge fan of Beatty, but I think he plays his role in this movie perfectly, running rampant through the lives of his unfaithful wife and private secretary (Charles Grodin couldn't be better), and his former coach. Joe Pendleton is so sweet and earnest that he deserve a happy, fairy-tale ending. I don't think the script ever descends into sappiness and there is a fine ensemble cast. I laugh out loud still, even though I have seen the movie several times, and I still get a bit teary-eyed at the end. This film deserves better!