 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Just Like Heaven
- Review Date: February 6, 2006
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Quirky romantic comedy with a dark-ish premise.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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?
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Loved it!
Hilarious, few sexual situations and language issues, but generally a fantastic film.
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AGE
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!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
AMAzingly awe some
amazingly touching and beautiful comedy romance beautiful my favorite movie of 2010 by far
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| Studio: | DreamWorks |
| Director: | Mark Waters |
| Cast: | Dina Waters, Mark Ruffalo, Reese Witherspoon |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 95 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 16, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | February 7, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some sexual content |
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