7.3
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Heaven Can Wait (1978)
Heaven Can Wait (1978)
Overview
Joe Pendleton is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn't ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently-murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant—the murderers—are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Christianity: Positive
Viewer Rating
7.3
Overview
Joe Pendleton is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn't ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently-murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant—the murderers—are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
The film's central narrative focuses on universal, apolitical themes of fate, second chances, and romantic love, emphasizing individual destiny and personal fulfillment rather than promoting specific political ideologies or critiquing societal structures.
The movie features a predominantly white cast with no explicit race or gender swaps of traditional roles. Its narrative maintains a neutral or positive framing of traditional identities, without incorporating explicit DEI themes or critiques.
Secondary
The film portrays a benevolent afterlife, complete with well-meaning (if sometimes fallible) angels and a higher power, aligning with a generally positive and hopeful view of spiritual existence. It uses Christian-adjacent imagery and concepts to tell a charming story about second chances and the enduring nature of the soul, without critiquing the underlying faith.
The film "Heaven Can Wait" does not include any explicit or implicit LGBTQ+ characters, relationships, or themes. The narrative focuses entirely on heterosexual romance and a man's journey of self-discovery and purpose, thus offering no portrayal to evaluate.
The film "Heaven Can Wait" does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. Its narrative centers on a soul inhabiting different bodies, but this is unrelated to gender identity or transition, thus rendering the transsexual portrayal N/A.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The 1978 film "Heaven Can Wait" is a remake of the 1941 film "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" and the play it's based on. All primary characters in the 1978 adaptation maintain the same gender as established in the original source material. No canonical gender swaps occur.
The 1978 film "Heaven Can Wait" is an adaptation where all major characters, including Joe Pendleton and Mr. Jordan, maintain the same racial portrayal as their established counterparts in the original play and the 1941 film version. No character's race was changed from prior canon.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
6.9
6.6
Critic Ratings
8.4
7.2
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