Movie Review: Just Like Heaven

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: A couple surprises in the plot, great work by the actors

Cons: None worth mentioning

The Bottom Line:

Supernatural

Romantic comedy that's

Perfectly light, fun

Heavenly Romantic Comedy

Dr. Elizabeth Masterson (Reese Witherspoon) is a workaholic striving to get a permanent job at the hospital she's working at in San Francisco. But on the day she gets the job, she's in a horrid car accident.

Meanwhile, David Abbott (Mark Ruffalo) is looking for a furnished apartment with a comfortable couch. He's running out of options until a flier for a sub-lease flies across his path. It's perfect, and David is excited about moving in.

Until he sees Elizabeth in his apartment. She insists she lives there and he is the one trespassing. When she appears and disappears, David decides she's a spirit and tries everything he can to get rid of her. When that doesn't work, he agrees to help her find out who she is so she can get peace and leave him alone.

The pieces begin falling into place, but by then, David and Elizabeth have grown beyond their initial dislike and enjoy each other's company. Will the truth about Elizabeth be good news or bad news?

I went into this movie expecting a light romantic comedy, and there are some very funny moments, especially at the beginning as David and Elizabeth must come to grips with each other. However, as the movie progressed, the story grew more serious. I was amazed at how much I grew to care for the characters. The scene where David thinks Elizabeth is out of his life choked me up, and I did need tissue for the climax.

The story itself is basically predictable. Several major plot points are obvious long before they happen. However, there was a twist or two I didn't see coming. And the movie has some themes worth thinking over after it ends.

The movie is carried by the leads. Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo do a great job in their rolls. The movie really focuses on them, and the two have lots of screen time together. The chemistry builds over the course of the movie. I found this noteworthy because in most comedies it seems to either be there or not. I liked this because shows the changing relationship that Elizabeth and David have.

The praise for the leads isn't to detract from the supporting actors. Dina Spybey especially stands out as Elizabeth's sister. However, Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite fame steals every scene he is in. His paranormal expert is hilarious.

The DVD extras include some hilarious bloopers and about a half dozen deleted scenes. Both are worth watching and are pretty funny, although I'm glad the alternate ending was left on the cutting room floor.

Just Like Heaven is a pleasant way to spend a couple hours. Not completely original, but it tries harder then many films out there today.