Heaven Can Wait: the final scenes (Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Jack Warden).

[Cavannaro]

I love the calm dialogue, and the thoughtful way they speak. You just don't seem to see that in movies now. Nothing I've seen lately, at least.

[rickyromo44]

i dont understand the movie. why is it that he couldnt remember anything. why did that happen. he took and resumed the life of the other quarter back. can u or can anyone explain explain???

[dnanidreffmc]

@rickyromo44 If I can recall it right, because the previous body Joe occupied met an untimely death again, the emissary from heaven allowed him to finally choose a body that would place him closer to Julie, on one condition, he would forget all his past including Julie. so it would be entirely up to Julie to recognize the old Joe. She did, and the prospects seemed good, Im sure thay had more than coffee later on.

[tunjuelito]

I watch this movie over and over . It is just a master piece! I love it

[insanityrulestheday]

luv this great film and I'll never look at a closed cupboard in the same way again tee hee hee :-)

[NemeanLion]

I haven't seen this movie since I was kid, but I still haven't forgotten that feeling of sadness I felt when Jack Warden's character finds out his friend Joe is gone and he's left sitting alone in the locker room.

[goglolee]

This was MY FAVORITE movie back in the day, and just seeing it posted out here makes my day. I still love it! The chemistry that they had was amazing.

[Belacrkva1962]

Warren Beatty, Julie Christie u make me belive in love, After i have seen this movie i knew there well be also th one. Even she left me Iwill remember her like your movie - outstanding!!!!!! thanx georg

[yiotispan]

There are so few actresses like Julie Christie these days. She was so natural. No excess makeup, no enhancement surgery. Just subtle and very sensual appeal...

[AStopMotionChannel]

We all know Warren Beatty the star, but as a filmmaker, I feel as though he's extremely underrated.

[Whitewitchmarsheart]

OMG. this sure bring back memories. How I love this Movie and Warren Beatty.

[63Dombo]

I first saw this aged 18, 30 years ago. I'm now a 48 year old dad and the final scene still chokes me up. Even describing it to friends who haven't seen it my voice catches! Same with "You've Got Mail". Dunno, must be a guy thing.

[ustuppy]

absolutely love the closing theme.

[lazevola]

Loved this film, but it still comes second to "Here come Mr Jordan". Three main reasons - the final scene in "Heaven can wait" isn't as upbeat as in "Here comes Mr Jordan"; also Mr Jordan isn't in that scene and finally James Mason is no Claude Rains. But kudos to the film for keeping away from physical contact between the male and female stars. This remake was panned in some quarters but still attained no 6 box office of 1978 films.

[TheCoachDude]

Watch the EYES. Julie Christie and Warren Beatty communicate powerfully with just the eye contact. Powerful.

[TheCoachDude]

Eye contact. 2 Scenes in this movie between the two main characters makes this a powerful love scene.

[markNtime]

Right up there (and likely influenced by) Chaplin's 'City Lights' as one of the great romantic final film sequences ever... Jack Warden just heartbreakingly brilliant.

[markNtime]

Right up there (and likely influenced by) Chaplin's 'City Lights' as one of the great romantic final film sequences ever.

[Wilco362]

Love it. Leo Farnsworth can go to hell.

[kyzrsze]

One of the greatest endings of all time. This ending was brilliant and it was all in the "eyes!" He was the quarterback!!!!

[kyzrsze]

Goldwingqueen1 continued. He tells her, she should give the guy a chance. She doesn't understand him, but inside, he knows he might go into another personna and he wants her to remember his eyes because he won't remember her if he goes into a new body. When he goes into Jarrett's body, she eventually realizes that he is the "quarterback." Like he told her in the garden party. She looks in his eyes and his voice is so familiar. That is when she says, "you're the quarterback" She knows it's him.

[kyzrsze]

Goldwingqueen1 The ending is so incredible because you have to go back to two scenes earlier and it will make perfect sense. The first scene was in the limo at the drive in when he takes her to "dinner." He says to her "I keep starring at you, something in your eyes." The second scene is after the garden party. Before he gets shot. He looks her in the eyes and tells her to always remember his eyes and if anything happens, even if she meets another guy, he could even be quarterback.

[DEVIN959]

saw this one in the theater; I was 15, Lynne was too. I'm another 47 yo dad who still wells up with tears. I didn't know why then either....after a death in my life and Lynnes death, it still resonates with me....guess I'm really mortal after all....than ks for posting.

[wownouser]

can someone please download the full movie? I saw it when I was little and I loved it so much.

[07StarQueen]

Some of the best music ever!

[ihatelazypeople]

please please please where can i find this musical score

[bratmadford]

@ihatelazypeople "Cinemagic" cd by Dave Grusin

[CrispinFlora]

What an ending! Was he conned in the end? By heavens he did! With no recollections of who he is -- no trace of Joe -- that means he's gone-- What heaven did is just enabled him (Joe) to make peace with himself and fulfill what he would have missed while he was alive-- had he not been offered a new lease on life. Makes for a good movie--- great.

[kendallzac]

@CrispinFlora Do you know who sang the title song? I appreciate your response!!!

[jacopman]

marvelous movie...........has it all for a romantic comedy that included the wonderful sound track from a very gifted musician/composer......Dave Grusin......(sp?)

[tjhou]

The "tunnel scene" is still one of my favorite movie ending...

[jdeweyhs]

Julie Christie is so damm amazing! I love her!!!!

[replicas91011]

I love this film. First saw it as an 18 year old kid, and now as a married, 47 year old dad . The final scene where she asks "What did you just say?", and that look. Then "you're the quarterback". I tear up and get a lump in my throat every time.

[Rickatspeedoflight]

The scene in the hallway with Julie Christie at the end of the movie is one of my favorites in all the movies.

[GoldwingQueen1]

So, Joe dies anyways. I never understood the ending, despite the fact I adore this movie.

[GoldwingQueen1]

RIP Jack Warden, what an amazing job you did in this!

[Calsummersishere]

People eventually find what they are looking for.

[GoldwingQueen1]

@Calsummersishere

I seriously hope you are right about that. Do you really think that?

[Scrabbler27]

When we meet peopel in real life whom we think we might met before; thats because they have prob have in a previous life.

[PadrethePio]

Julie Christie... *sigh*

I love this movie and Shampoo too.

[ermione1971]

Ilove the soundtrack... It's so beautiful and sad...

[wownouser]

where's all the film? :(

[etks1957]

Saddest part of the movie is when Max loses his buddy for the second time. Otherwise, one of my all time favorites.

[podiodi]

Well said constant137...'even w/o a kiss...'

[joracanelli]

I agree this is one of the best movies I've ever seen... (I'm almost 46 years old!) It's just fantastic. I disagree with you guys above, I know there are angels and that everyone has a divine reason ~~ His spirit was not gone forever and a piece of "Joe" was still there, that is why he thought he recognizes the girl at the end...

This is one of the funniest and most touching movies of all time... Too bad there are no clips of Diane Cannon's scenes...

[bersa888]

I really liked this movie, since the very first time I saw it more than 25 years ago... but unfortunately this kind of stuff is a total fantasy for a much harsher reality. Nice to dream, though...;-)

[constant137]

Bersa888: of course, there are no angels and funny employees to put us back on planet earth if we die by mistake. But this is not the point.

The point of the movie (the one that it is "nice to dream" about) is to follow your dreams, and to be clean inside. It suggests that we can at least try.

I call that a good story.

[bersa888]

Yup!

[constant137]

Those last minutes, first in the corridor, then outside when he invites her "for a cup of coffee or something" are unforgettable; the look in her eyes, when she senses more and more that there is an echo of "him" in him, is simply extraordinary.

And he plays beautifully the part of the man who, although unaware of all the drama, still can't stop looking at this woman ("did we meet..?").

One of the most powerful love scenes (without even a kiss) in the history of cinema. What a beauty

[4everHarleys]

Couldn't agree more. PERFECT ENDING, and a perfect soundtrack! :)

[tvfantic12]

is this a good movie?

because i want to buy it,because it seems interesting.

[ihatelazypeople]

i will pay one million dollars for this soundtrack

[lockdall]

The story about this backup Quarterback (Joe) who is finally about to get his chance, but is fortunately/unfortunately taken too early by God's own before his time. There is a quality and a mystery about the power of love and redemption that Joe succeeds in someone else's body which even though memories are lost the love and mystery from the heart lives on.

[CrispinFlora]

And so they finally found a body for him, but the catch is that he's not supposed to remember any of it! What?!? Is that a scam or what! So he actually lost out! Didn't he? We know, but he doesn't!

A movie after all, sustains its charisma when long after you've walked out of the theatre--you're still taken by its charming effect it was meant to instill into you!!!!!!!

MY First drive in movie (1978) when I came to America.

[book400]

What is so great is that, one can't lose everything, and his word choice after the transformation and loss of old self, is still there. Love is so strong, destiny so intense, that Julie Christie sees something in him, hears something in him, and as they walk out together, it's quite possible that Joe got more than just his sports destiny...he added a love for the rest of his life. Amazing film, and I'm a macho guy - so take that.

[book400]

...to fulfill his "destiny" which is to lead a team, as it's quarterback, to the Super Bowl, means that he is placed into another person's body, but, this time, to make heaven and earth, life and death, sprituality and also, intelellectually, everything turn out okay -- he will lose his awareness or cognizance as Joe, not to mention the other body he was chillin' in until this one came along.

[book400]

Everyone who tried to explain it did a nice job. The kicker is that Joe was taken out of his body before he was to be hit by a car or truck in a tunnel. However, the new angle was supposed to wait, but pulled the trigger early. It turns out Joe wasn't going to be injured seriously or at all, and he knows or senses this, and keeps at it until Mr. Jordan, the older, more experienced angle, does some "research" and finds out Buck Henry jumped the gun. The bittersweet ending, where Joe finally gets

[book400]

I like how I kept typing "angle" when I meant ANGEL. It shows you that anyone can experience temporary dyslexia, or is that lexsydia?

[deflep007]

the ending is tremendous ,dont make movies like tis anymore ,,too bad

[GeekBoy03]

@deflep007 Sure they make movie like this still. They did a Chris Rock remake of this ;-)

[muppetskermit]

bellissimoooooooooo

[rhk3333]

What a movie! Heartbreaking when Beatty doesnt recognize Warden anymore. Still gets to me 30 years later.

[meanmachinemarine]

to rhk3333: i agree with you 100 percent.

[4everHarleys]

That is a very sad part, isn't it. At that point, you know Joe is gone forever. :(

[muppetskermit]

goodddddddddddddd

[maxwesty]

Dave Grusin's score conveys the emotion masterfully! A true testament to the happy/sad ending so many of us long for yet are so afraid to face.

[RestlessSpirit92]

Some of the best music ever written for a movie, ever!

[modeo92]

The ending is perfect. This could easily have been a wacky comedy that grates on your nerves more than it makes you laugh, but Beatty found the perfect tone for the entire film. Even the scenes where it could easily become silly slapstick (talking with Mason and Henry in the closet, the board meeting where he's far from knowledgeable) are done with respect to the characters in that they aren't condescending. It's simply a charming, intelligent film.

[RestlessSpirit92]

simply one of the best movies ever. Great post, modeo!

Couldn't agree more! :)

[meanmachinemarine]

to modeo92 or anybody who understands the ending...: what happend to joe?????????he turns into tom jerrid. is as though joe never existed ...he got screwed big time... i just don't get the ending.can you bring some light to this and make it clear to me???

[modeo92]

My interpretation has always been that Joe was mistakenly taken into Heaven too early by a well meaning angel. They were going to put him back into his body but he had been cremated. Joe wanted to be put back in a quarterback, but they couldn't find a suitable replacement. So he was temporarily put into Farnsworth's body, but once Joe fell in love, he wanted it to be permanent. But Farnsworth's time was up so they put him in Tom's quarterback-friendly body. Now whether Tom (cont'd)

[modeo92]

(cont'd) was supposed to die at that point or was just seriously injured is not clear in my mind. But Joe Pendleton's soul took his place regardless. I'm sure Joe wanted his own mind and spirit to remain in Tom Jarred's body, but this wasn't meant to be. He had to be Tom Jarred 100%, which meant all the past being Joe and Farnsworth had to be forgotten. But the interaction between Jarred and Julie Christie at the end shows that there still is some of Joe in him, even if it not blatant.

[meanmachinemarine]

to modeo92: thank you very much...now i understand it a little better. thank you for clearing it up for me....still one of my favorite moviesof all time...

[modeo92]

You're welcome, meanmachinemarine. Glad to be of help.

[69199]

Great movie. I think what's great about this movie to me, is that she doesn't care about his fame or the fact he just won the Superbowl. To me the quietness of the empty stadium and just two people walking in it are pretty powerful. I think it's a very hopeful ending.

[jetleeming]

not only the movie`s its romantic,funny, the soundtrack too lol

[llpt1fan]

This is one of my mom's fav movs when I was little. I remember thinking how sad the whole premise is. The love story aspect though is still one I hang on to til this very day. Strange how something so simple as a film can leave a lasting impact on someone. The coach relationship is quite moving as well.

Very sad.

[trainerkeith]

GREAT movie...funny, smart and romantic. I would have come back from the dead for Julie Christie as well...so damn beautiful...

[secgem]

I love the line - "It's okay ..." That's so cool & exactly what he told her as Leo.

;)

[meanmachinemarine]

i love this movie. seen it over 100 times and i still don't understand the ending...can someone explain the ending to me. did joe pendelton get screwed out of his life. all of a sudden he goes from being joe to tom jerrid???? WTF they should have named this movie joe gets screwed

[secgem]

You gotta see the WHOLE movie to get this. He is now on the right path that was interrupted and he's a quarterback again. :)

[meanmachinemarine]

just curious again...i watched the movie but joe will not remember anything about himself or his past, instead he becomes tom jerrad....please HELP i need to figure this out it keeps bugging me...thank you for your time..

[12sankalp]

Though a spoof, this movie explains the complicated journey of the soul, from one body to another. Thankfully we forget the previous lives,(and sometimes part of this life itself) so that we can move on. The subject of this movie is the tip of the iceberg that answers the most engaging question of human beings.....

[rmrlaw]

Love this ending. "You're the quarterback" always gets me.

[Capt777harris]

Excellent film. I saw this in the theatre when it first came out, but haven't seen it since. I should probably buy the DVD.

[kiwkee]

great astute recap and clip  - thx for posting