Just Like Heaven: Review By heathernewgen

Although “Just Like Heaven” is supposed to be a romantic comedy, it’s more dramatic than anything. It does take a stab at humor, but the film has several somber themes like loss and despair. It also has a few subplots that take away from the uneven and lighthearted tone, which constantly changes throughout the film.

In the first few minutes of the movie you see Elizabeth as a fiercely strong independent young woman who has given up everything for her career as a doctor. She’s very fulfilled even though her job is all she has. After work one night she goes to her sister’s house for a blind date, but she gets into a car accident and the next time we see her she’s in a coma.

It then jumps to David (Mark Ruffalo) who is heart broken over his wife’s death and all he does is sit is his charming rented San Francisco apartment sleeping on the couch and watching TV all day. The film never really explains how he can afford to do this.

The last thing he wants is a roommate so when Elizabeth shows up out of nowhere claiming the apartment is hers; David is understandably upset and thinks it’s a huge mix-up. However, Elizabeth is persistent and adamantly says the place is hers. To prove her point, she continues to come over unannounced and as a result they argue constantly.

The “Odd Couple” adaptation is the weakest part of the film because Witherspoon’s shinning onscreen personality overshadows Elizabeth’s problem of her being a ghost. Also in her beginning encounters with David she comes across as almost annoying rather than funny thus hardly drawing a comparison to Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

David is convinced Elizabeth is a ghost because she is always in his apartment even though he’s changed the locks. She doesn’t believe him, but his susp*cion is confirmed when she accidentally walks through a table. When she finally sees what’s going on they decide to come together and figure out the truth about her life. This changes their relationship and soon both realize they’re starting to fall for each other.

During this process however, they go to bookstores trying to research why people don’t “cross over.” They are helped by a wacky sales person played by Jon Heder (Napoleon’s Dynamite) who offers advice on the situation. His performance is neither funny nor necessary and is quite a disappointment.

While I was bored with many parts of the film, Ruffalo delivers up a funny bar scene and Witherspoon as always lights up the screen. The film has some tear jerker moments and is weaved with positive messages such as second chances and learning to live life by the moment instead of taking it for granted.

This is definitely a chick movie and guys if you get dragged to see it, I’m sorry!