Just Like Heaven - A Movie Review

I didn’t know I could talk to ghosts.

Just Like Heaven appeared in theaters in 2005. David moves into a new apartment. Only, it’s haunted by the spirit of the woman who previously owned it. The pair team up to figure out her demise and communicate with others.

The first time I watched Just Like Heaven, the bedroom door opened by itself. I wanted to revisit this movie as I love a good ghost film. I’m surprised more rom-coms haven’t done this concept. The film follows the usual rom-com formula, but Just Like Heaven is a lighthearted film about finding your roots again.

Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo make a good pair as Elizabeth and David. Elizabeth is a to-be doctor who never makes time to stop and enjoy life. Ruffalo is a splendid actor in both comedy and drama. He does a good job of displaying both roles here. At a loss romantically, this unusual situation sheds light on their lives.

They have a unique relationship where Elizabeth is a ghost. The pair worked off each other well. Their interactions are filled with humor, tenderness, and a touch of melancholy as they navigate the complexities of love in the face of unusual circumstances. The highlight is when Elizabeth has to talk David through an emergency medical procedure.

The film has a good ensemble. They fill in as the usual rom-com characters as associations or foils to the main characters. Credits include Donal Logue, Dina Spybey-Waters, Ben Shenkman, Ivana Milicevic, and a hilarious performance by Jon Heder. Heder wins the best supporting character award as Darryl, an eccentric psychic.

Just Like Heaven sticks to the usual rom-com formula. It’s a cute rom-com story, but it has its flaws. The dialogue is predictable in some moments. Some aspects of Elizabeth’s ghost capabilities don’t make sense and change.

The film is not without its surprises. Mark Waters directed a concept that we don’t see enough of. You can do a lot of creative things when one character is a ghost. The film cleverly uses Elizabeth's ghostly presence to create both comedic and emotional situations. Elizabeth overhears a lot of things from colleagues or her family.

Since others can’t see Elizabeth, David has awkward moments where people think he’s talking to himself. For some of his scenes, Ruffalo was actually speaking to thin air when Witherspoon wasn’t on set. That helped replicate his character’s situation.

For the time, the film has clever special effects. Ghosts don’t have to use doors anymore. Elizabeth walks right through the walls. And sometimes, unexpected people can see ghosts. Did I mention how much I love ghost films?

As this movie clarifies, why are ghosts still here? Elizabeth is still fighting to avoid the inevitable. This reflective element adds a layer of emotional resonance to the film, elevating it beyond a simple romantic comedy.

The locations play an important part in the film, like the apartment. Set in San Fransisco, The apartment becomes a symbolic representation of Elizabeth's presence in the film. The rose garden on the roof is a beautiful area.

Always give love a chance. Whether you’re focusing on a career or have tried relationships, keep trying. The film encourages viewers to reflect on the importance of cherishing the moments we have and the enduring power of love.

The climax is not what you’d expect. That’s what makes the film memorable. One rule that all films should pertain to is don’t make things too easy. Just Like Heaven is a lighthearted rom-com that offers audiences something different. Watch it on HBO.