I honestly don't like Warren Beatty or Julie Christie as actors, but this tears me up. The supporting characters are some of the best written and funniest perfrmances of all time. Charles Grodin is brilliant and he and Dianne Cannon steal every scene they get.

James Mason is dignified and kind, and his bungling assistant's outrage at the hero's ingratitude for all their hard work finding him a body - to replace the one that the trainee angel accidentally had cremated early - is a sight to see.

But it is the unexpected depth of character that Warren Beatty produces, that he has never equalled again, that pulls it all together. His whispered explanation to his old coach to convince him of who his soul is, even if the body looks different and his helpless attempt to explain to Julie Christie that she should give someone else a chance if anything should happen to him reduce me to tears every time I see it.

Then there's the wonderful cadre of butlers, when the hero is in a cupbaord talking to an angel:

"Why are you taking him two cups of cocoa?"
"Well, I thought as he is pretending to talk to someone - he might like to pretend to give them cocoa too..."

It is all a film should be.

Enjoyable family entertainment
Review date: 2004-07-27 Rating: 8 out of 10

An enjoyable, whimsical tale of a football player incorrectly sent to heaven ahead of schedule and returns to earth in a business tycoon's body. Although made in 1978, the film has hardly aged and remains very funny. Warren Beatty is highly engaging and is supported by a strong cast. A film for all the family and the bittersweet, love-affirming ending will keep the romantics happy.

An absorbing fantasy that even the guys will enjoy!!
Review date: 2004-01-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is one of those wonderful fantasy movies that you will want to watch over and over again. Based on the classic 'Here Comes Mr Jordan,' it tells the story of a footballer, Joe Pendleton, (Warren Beatty) who, having been involved in a car accident, is taken out of his body prematurely by an over-eager heavenly 'escort'. To add to his woes, once the mistake has been discovered, it transpires that Joe's earthly body has been cremated, so another body has to be found for him. The hunt is on, and he agrees to occupy the body of a super-rich and very unethical industrialist who has just been murdered by his wife and private secretary. Joe agrees to the arrangement temporarily, so that he can help a damsel in distress - an English schoolteacher, (Julie Christie,) whose rural community is threatened by the business dealings of the industrialist. Trouble is, Joe ends up falling in love with the school teacher and tries to have the arrangement made permanent. Easier said than done since the Heavenly Beings have other plans. Warmly humorous, this is a movie that has the viewer suspending all disbelief in the premise. It has aged extremely well too; made in 1978, it hasn't dated like so many older movies seem to do. The cast is a joy to watch. Warren Beatty and Julie Christie (who were a real-life item at the time) have great chemistry, and they are ably supported by James Mason, Jack Warden, Dyan Canon and Charles Grodin. See it!! It's one of the best ways of spending a couple of happy hours!!

The original and the best!
Review date: 2002-05-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film, directed by and starring Warren Beatty, will always be one of my favourites. Not only because I love the supernatural theme of the film, but also because of the fantastic script and superb comic timing.

Beatty stars as Joe Pendelton, a football quarterback, desperate to take part in the Superbowl. His spirit accidentally gets taken to Heaven by an angelic new recruit and he is sent back to earth in the body of corporate giant, Leo Farnsworth. He must battle to get this new body into sporting shape, whilst fending off the murder attempts by his wife (Dyan Cannon)and personal secretary (Charles Grodin).

The comedy will have you in stitches, and the end will have you reaching for the tissues.

(The DVD has no added extras, just the film itself.)

Product Details/Specifications