Just Like Heaven (2005)

A lonely landscape architect (Ruffalo) falls for the spirit of beautiful woman (Witherspoon) who used to live in his new apartment.

Director:

Mark Waters

Writers:

Peter Tolan (screenplay), Leslie Dixon (screenplay),

Stars:

Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Donal Logue

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Reese Witherspoon	...	Elizabeth
Mark Ruffalo	...	David
Donal Logue	...	Jack
Dina Waters	...	Abby
Ben Shenkman	...	Brett
Jon Heder	...	Darryl
Ivana Milicevic	...	Katrina
Caroline Aaron	...	Grace
Rosalind Chao	...	Fran
Ron Canada	...	Dr. Walsh
Willie Garson	...	Maitre D'
Gabrielle Made	...	Nurse Maria
William Caploe	...	Nurse Bill
Shulie Cowen	...	Nurse Jenny
Billy Beck	...	Mr. Clarke

Storyline

Elizabeth Masterson, a dedicated doctor in San Francisco, had almost no time for anything. When her sister with two kids set her up on a date, she gets into a tragic car crash and gets in a coma. Meanwhile, a landscape architect named David Abbott moves into San Francisco and coincidentally, into Elizabeth's apartment for rent. While at the apartment, Elizabeth's spirit haunts him. She doesn't remember who she is, who her family is, and what she did - All that she remembered was her apartment and where everything was. To settle the arguments, David agrees to figure out who Elizabeth really is. When they get close to figuring out who she is, they eventually find love with one another and as they finally know who she really is, they learn that fate really has put them both together.

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Plot Keywords:

apartment | spirit | architect | landscape architect | doctor | 

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Taglines:

It's a wonderful afterlife.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

DreamWorks [us] UIP [fr]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish Mandarin

Release Date:

16 September 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

If Only It Were True

Filming Locations:

609 Vallejo Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$58,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$598,973 (Australia) (6 January 2006)

Gross:

£5,054,262 (UK) (20 January 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks SKG, MacDonald/Parkes Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Elizabeth asks David who about the girl that Daryl told him he had to let go of, David responds that her name was Laura. Reese Witherspoon's full name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon.

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Goofs

After Lily gives Elizabeth the M&M cookie, a blue smartie vanishes from the cookie.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Nurse Maria: Elizabeth...
Elizabeth Masterson: How long was I out?
Nurse Maria: Um, about six minutes.
Elizabeth Masterson: Thanks, I'll be right there.
Nurse Maria: OK, I'll be outside.

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Connections

Spoofs Stir of Echoes (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Ghostbusters"
Written by Ray Parker Jr.
Performed by Bowling for Soup
Produced by Ralph Sall and Jaret Reddick
Bowling for Soup appears courtesy of Jive Records

User Reviews

This couple does romantic really well

It has been a good season for romantic comedies. Earlier on Diane Lane and John Cusack proved that comedies didn't have to be stupid, as it was properly demonstrated in a recent sex comedy. Stick to the conventions, find people with good chemistry and good looks, and you might strike gold. Witherspoon has shown incredible amounts of charm in previous outings, and this time she is on fire. The amazing surprise is Mr. Ruffalo, as her smitten "friend". He is a pleasure to watch, matching Witherspoon scene by scene and stealing a few on his own. He has fantastic comedic timing and knows how to charm his audience.

The film itself will not break any grounds, instead it pays tribute to a few classics in the past. What it doesn't do is draw too much attention to itself by being too clever, dry, or indulge in the use of four-letter words gratuitous. It recalls comedies of the past, when characters were developed and actors work their magic on the screen.

There are a couple of interesting twists along the way, and some of the romantic scenes are lovingly shot and directed. The supporting cast is very effective, making the experience light and yet very fulfilling. A+