A Bit of "Heaven" On Earth

Brandye Huggs, staff writer

It’s always fun to see what happens when two complete opposites meet, especially if only one of them can be seen.

“Just Like Heaven” is a romantic comedy staring Reese Witherspoon as the uptight, workaholic Elizabeth Masterson and Mark Buffalo as the lonely David Abbott.

Elizabeth is a doctor who has spent her life not really experiencing life, only working to get ahead as a doctor. David is a man with a grief-filled past that he is struggling to come to terms with. Both are on a path to loneliness, one out of choice and one out of chance.

These two opposites meet when David sublets Elizabeth’s apartment, while, unbeknownst to him, Elizabeth is still residing there as well. This seems to be a big problem, until the two realize the real problem is that although Elizabeth is in the apartment, no one except David can see her there.

At first sight of Elizabeth, David thinks he is crazy and hallucinating, while Elizabeth thinks David is a homeless man who refuses to leave her apartment. David tries to ignore Elizabeth’s bossy outbursts but can’t seem to get away form her. Elizabeth is angry that a “sloppy pig” has taken up residence in her furnished apartment and is turning it into a mess. David and Elizabeth quickly discover something is terribly wrong.

The two set off on a journey to discover the truth about what happened to Elizabeth. While exploring Elizabeth’s past, she begins to see herself as everyone else saw her, a lonely woman. Along the way, Elizabeth and David learn the truth about Elizabeth, and also learn a truth about themselves. Only their newfound love for one another can save either of them.

This movie is a feel-good movie that leaves the audience asking the question “how strong is love?” Here the answer could very well be as strong as it needs to be to save someone from a life without it.

The movie is fast-paced and very well written. The movie delves into the hands of fate and the feeling of love. The jokes are well received and hit their mark. Witherspoon and  Buffalo are in their prime, Witherspoon as an uptight control freak and Buffalo as a messy lost person. The movie showcases both their acting abilities well.

Just Like Heaven is based upon Marc Levy’s bestselling novel “If Only it Were True”, and directed by Mark S. Waters. “Just Like Heaven” is a joy to watch from beginning to end.

I recommend this movie for not only girls, but guys as well. The movie is truly funny, with a sense of humor both sexes will relish.

Rating: Four Stars