Just Like Heaven (PG-13, 2005)

common sense media says

Quirky romantic comedy with a dark-ish premise.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this romantic comedy begins with a harrowing (though briefly shown) car accident, leaving a young woman apparently dead. She reappears as a neat-freak ghost in her old apartment, harassing the lonely garden designer who's moved in. Characters drink (at home, in a bar). A woman neighbor tries to seduce David by undressing in his apartment. The film also includes images of ghosts and spells in an "occult" book. Doctors and family discuss whether to continue life support for a woman in a coma. While most of the movie is light-hearted, it raises a serious question: how do you decide when to turn off life support for a loved one?

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Car crash at start is abrupt, but not explicitly shown.
Sex: Some conversation about sex; woman appears in revealing "exercise" outfit; woman in a towel drops it (view from her back); joke about "lubricant."
Language: Mild language.
Consumerism: References to coffee styles (not brands), Ghostbusters, Heineken.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters drink (beer in front of tv; one scene in a bar).

More on Just Like Heaven

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the relationship between the sisters, as this creates the eventual dilemma/climax, as to whether Elizabeth should be taken off life support. How are they both loving and competitive, jealous and supportive? You might also consider the film's use of romantic comedy structures (boy meets girl, etc.) in relation to the ethical and even spiritual questions it poses, concerning life, death, and grief.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Workaholic doctor Elizabeth (Reese Witherspoon) is slightly yearning; her friends have relationships, her sister Abby (Dina Waters) has two adorable daughters, and yet, Elizabeth can't seem to develop a life outside work. One night, she crashes into a truck; shortly afterwards, her apartment is rented by lonely, sensitive, landscape designer David (Mark Ruffalo). The only issue for this perfect guy is that he's mourning a lost wife, and so meeting the seeming ghost of Elizabeth gives him a built-in friend. As time goes on it becomes clear that they're made for each other, save for the small obstacle of her seeming deadness. David gets encouragement when an occult bookstore clerk (Jon Heder) suggests that for a spirit, she's very "alive," that is, caught between death and life.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
A Sleeping Beauty story refashioned to combine upbeat rom-com conventions and ER-lite medical-ethical dilemmas, JUST LIKE HEAVEN poses a grim question: should a very nice young mother of two pull the life-support plug on her sister after three months of coma? It's a preposterous idea to cram into a romance.

And, while director Mark Waters is working with the completely charming and mostly convincing Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, even this talented trio can't make this creepy perfect-ghost-girl idea go away. That doesn't mean they don't try.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: DreamWorks
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Dina Waters, Mark Ruffalo, Reese Witherspoon
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release: September 16, 2005
DVD release: February 7, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: some sexual content

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

momof3
adult
 
For teens and grown-ups
I thought that this movie was a cute romantic comedy. I know several friends that brought their under 13 kids to see it, but I think that some of the content is inappropriate for those kids. There are several references to casual sex, with a neighbor that strips down in the main characters bedroom and a reference to Reese Witherspoon having an affair with a married man (which turns out to be untrue). The main male character drinks a lot to try and cope with the loss of his wife, but stops drinking as the movie continues. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and realize it was tame compared to most PG-13 movies these days. However, I do feel that it deserves it's PG-13 rating and wouldn't be appropriate for kids under 13. Also, parents who are concerned about references to casual sex should probably watch it before letting their kids see it regardless of their age.

moviemagic615
teen, 16 years old
 
Must See
good movie

MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
 
best movie ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fingerondapulse3
teen, 17 years old
 
I laughed and cried
I laughed during this movie and also cried histerically. I loved it and clapped out laughed at the end. There was no issue with the language or sexual content.

tuckersgirl
teen, 15 years old
 
MY FAVORITE MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is my favorite movie ever!!!!!!!!! Some people say that it has minor violence, but it sooo does not(unless you count the halarious part where david slaps himself in the bar). There is no sexy stuff, except when david and elizabeth kiss (not make-out0, the back-top half of a naked woman(not reveling or bad), and the butt of a statue (brief and not showy). Not very much drugs, but there is one bar scene (not that much acohol). MY FAVORITE MOVIE AND FOR YOU A MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!

kaclrc
adult
 
Cute show, good message
I had heard that this movie was just like all the others in the genre. I actually thought it was a little different. It was clean, cute and had a good message at the end. This is a rare occurrence in hollywood these days (a good message).

 
Loved it!
Hilarious, few sexual situations and language issues, but generally a fantastic film.

Chicklet
teen, 17 years old
 
Fantastic Movie!
This is one of my favorite movies! I am a huge Reese Witherspoon fan, and love watching romantic comedies. I do admit some romantic comedies are very similar, this one is very much different then any other one I've seen. Its about a woman who goes into a coma after a car accident(very small amount of violence) and her family sells her apartment. She turns into a ghost and finds a new man in her apartment. It may sound very science fictional, but its not. Almost no sex stuff, and small language.

 
Very cute romantic comedy
I really enjoy watching this movie. Very funny and worth watching. Some sexual scenes, non at all explicit, are played for laughs. Looking for a funny romcom? Watch this one. It won't disappoint. Ruffalo is amazing.

lozzie98
kid, 13 years old
 
luv it
great movie

♥UndeadRainbows♥™
kid, 13 years old
 
funny!
I saw this movie this month and found it enjoyable. Although, I've seen movies like this several times, I found this one actually touching. The car crash was a bit disturbing and then the sister of the main character takes out a knife which is abrupt and you do see a woman's back and a little bit of her bottom, and "she has a nice ass, tattoo on ass" but other than that a good movie!

Spongebob Fan
kid, 13 years old
 
Good Romantic Comedy that I watched with my 6 year old sister years ago.
Watched it with my mom and fell in love. Violence is notable but small, just a car crash. I loved the storyline, so wonderful. The sex is kept to a high minimum, surprisingly, however, there are some kissing and convos about sex, nudity (to a small minimum as well), and then language which is commonly found in movies and shouldn't be anything to worry about. A positive message and Witherspoon as a WONDERFUL role model, and this is a movie for many ages.

 
AMAzingly awe some
amazingly touching and beautiful comedy romance beautiful my favorite movie of 2010 by far

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