Friday, September 16, 2005

Dreamworks Mark Ruffalo and Reese Witherspoon star as human and ghost in "Just like Heaven."

Review

'Heaven' falls short of divine

Sugary film lacks substance but is full of cute eye candy in Reese Witherspoon

By Tom Long / Detroit News Film Critic

'Just Like Heaven' GRADE: C- Rated PG-13 for some sexual content Running time: 95 minutes See it, rate it Movie Finder: Select theater and showtime Movie Talk: Grade the movie, add your own review, see what others think Movie information "Just Like Heaven" official site Trailer Internet Movie Database Listing More Reviews at Rotten Tomatoes Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

If heaven is a big ball of cotton candy, then "Just Like Heaven" lives up to its name. It has no nutritional value, and it won't fill you up, but it's bright, pink and fluffy. If you're looking for bright, pink and fluffy, this movie's for you.

The film revolves around an old scenario: A person grounded in the real world communicates with someone in the spirit world. Think "The Sixth Sense," but happy. Think "Ghost," but more perky. For older folks, think "Topper," but all the actors are still alive.

Actually, if you're going to go see this movie, best not think at all.

Just kick back and bask in the cuteness of Reese. Witherspoon, that is. That feisty-swell blonde with the aircraft-carrier forehead and pointy chin. She's not a dumb blonde who's really smart this time out; she's a smart blonde who can walk through walls. It doesn't matter; she's still feisty and pure of heart.

In "Just Like Heaven," Reese plays a doctor (don't laugh, that's rude) named Elizabeth who works long, long hours at her hospital, hoping to better herself and save mankind one body at a time. She's so busy that she doesn't have time to date, has few friends and can't own a cute little dog. Her life is one pert sacrifice.

Then she gets hit by a truck. Really. So let's move on to the next part of the movie.

That would be Mark Ruffalo playing David Abbott, a guy who rents the apartment Dr. Elizabeth used to live in. He's a mopey sort, although apparently a very wealthy mopey sort since he never works a day during this whole movie and lives in a toney San Francisco apartment that must cost more monthly than a heart transplant. Still he's mopey. But he's Mark Ruffalo, so he sort of has a scruffy-manly-mopey thing going.

Into his life pops Elizabeth. Literally, she just pops up one day in his living room, yelling at him about what a mess he's making in her apartment. Then she disappears. Then she reappears, yelling some more. He thinks he's going crazy. How is she getting in his apartment?

Oh, come on, we all know, why can't he figure it out? He puts locks on his doors; he confides in a buddy; he drinks a bit too much. Still he doesn't have a clue. This is a guy who has obviously never seen a romantic comedy with a ghost in it.

Then one day Elizabeth goes to grab a phone and both he and she notice her hand passes right through it. After they get to arguing about how insane that was, they both notice she's standing right in the middle of the dining room table.

That's when these two keen minds decide there's something extraordinary going on here.

Oh, you can guess the rest, except for maybe one detail, which won't be spilled here although it's probably in every trailer and commercial. They fight, they sputter, they fall in love, they face danger, love saves the day, love falters, love saves the day again.

And then a piano comes out of the sky and crushes David while he's walking down the street.

No, that doesn't happen, but you may wish it would. The problem with "Just Like Heaven" is it's so completely predictable, such a cute Reese vehicle, such a fluffy romantic comedy meant to appeal to females ages 13-34. It has none of the snap of, say, last year's "13 Going On 30," which also co-starred the talented Ruffalo, but which had Jennifer Garner crackling with energy and sass.

This movie is more like semi-sass. It doesn't crackle; it doesn't snap; it doesn't pop. It feels more like a marketing campaign than love.

"Just Like Heaven" comes across as "Just Like Hollywood Planned It." It is romantic comedy product, complete with darling shots -- doesn't Reese look cute in the refrigerator, don't you love it when she sings "Tomorrow" -- precious moments and a random speeding car scene just because the Successful Movie Manual requires at least one speeding car scene.

On the other hand, it's certainly not "Just Like Hell." It's not that hot and hell couldn't possibly be this lightweight. "Just Like Heaven" is a movie that wants to be delightful. Instead it's just disposable.

You can reach Tom Long at tlong @detnews.com. And join him for Reel Talk, a movie preview and discussion, monthly at the Star Southfield Theatre. To register call (313) 222-1457, (313) 222-1458, or go online at www.detnews.com/entertainment.