Just Like Heaven

Rated: PG-13

Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell Cadiz

Just Like Heaven is centered around Elizabeth Masterson (Reese Witherspoon) who is consumed by her job at the hospital and her dreams of becoming a doctor. One night as she is heading to her sister’s house for dinner and a blind date setup, she has a head on collision with a truck while attempting to turn up her radio. Enter David (Mark Ruffalo), he’s depressed, broken hearted, and looking for a new apartment.

David ends up renting out Elizabeth’s apartment, her family does a month to month sublet. Elizabeth suddenly appears in the apartment, demanding David to leave. She then disappears right before his very eyes. David, via his friend, Jack (Donal Logue), who is a psychiatrist, believes he is hallucinating due from too much drinking. But Elizabeth returns again, determined to make David leave HER apartment. David gets the bright idea to go to a bookstore and read up on books about ghosts. He informs Elizabeth that she is dead but Elizabeth doesn’t believe him.

David continues on his journey to rid himself of Elizabeth’s spirit via priests, ghost busters, cleansers, and the kid from the bookstore, Darryl (Jon Heder), who helped him find the books about spirits. Darryl informs David that Elizabeth isn’t dead, something else is going on with her. Elizabeth comes to find out from Darryl, David had lost his wife. David and Elizabeth set out on a journey together to discover what has really happened to Elizabeth, and through that journey David finds more than just healing his broken heart.

Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo have wonderful chemistry together. The constant bickering and arguing and sarcastic comments will have you laughing out loud. The crazy antics they get into in order to discover Elizabeth’s story are just as amusing. There are also heartfelt moments throughout the movie: Ruffalo’s character revealing how he lost his wife, Witherspoon’s character fighting to remember who she is and discovering truth’s about herself, add charm to the movie without being dry or over dramatic.

Ruffalo is a pleasure to watch; he is an excellent comedic actor. Witherspoon proves she can venture into more than just drama, matching Ruffalo scene for scene like an old pro. Even though the plot is a bit predictable, there are still enough twists to keep the movie interesting and entertaining. The romantic scenes are lovely and intimate.

Just Like Heaven is a light and enjoyable romantic comedy for both men and women.

Running Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Director: Mark Waters

Rating: 9/10 stars