In the end it doesen't matter at all, if he gets a new body or not. Where's the point about staying alive, when you don't remember that you are yourself? Then you can be dead as well, no difference.
Who walks away in the end: Joe Pendleton in the body of the other guy or just the other guy? And who is really dead? And who is really awaited in heaven in the year 2025?
It's just that the end doesn't fit the beginning of the film. Beside this, I enjoyed it.
In Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon, she doesn't lose her memory of who she is, but she loses all memory of her relationship with Mark Ruffalo. The big surprise is that she finally remembers who he was, that he is her true love, the guy who saved her, just as the movie ends. Not sure if that kind of ending would've worked in Heaven Can Wait, but I am sure a lot of people would've been satisfied.
shareAgreed.
The ending is a bit clunky.
Be hilarious if Jarred turned out to be gay.
Tom Jarrett is dead and in heaven. Joe Pendleton has taken over Tom Jarrett's body but has now lost all memories of being Joe Pendleton and Leo Farnsworth assuming the identity of Tom Jarrett. However when he meets Betty in the stadium corridor the memory of the love between them still exists and she sees in his eyes the soul of Joe Pendleton without realizing it, a truly heart warming ending.
shareThat explanation makes sense, however I believe Warren Beatty and Buck Henry failed to convey that message clearly. It was confusing and throughout the movie, the storytelling felt rushed, unfocused and the comedy notes didn't always hit home. A big failing was that there was a lack of emotional investment while watching the movie. You're not exactly sure what to really route for. We don't get to know very much about Joe before he's taken to heaven, other than he wants to start as a quarterback. Then, without precedent, Joe gets the hots for Betty, but that relationship is only flirted with, and we never take it seriously. I was left feeling as though there were too many missed opportunities with this movie. It could've been better. It's a very rushed, odd movie to watch at times. It's either poorly directed or it's strange tone is bravely designed, but feels as though it misfires. When Joe picks up the fumble and runs it in for the game winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, it's done in such an uncinematic way, you feel as though you were watching a real football game, without commentary. You feel as though you missed something. However, this makes sense that they would minimalize the football achievement of the character, because it is now the secondary goal. The real goal is finding love with Betty and getting to actualize that relationship in a permanent vessel. A very Warren Beatty-esque, uneven moviegoing experience. Not unlike "Dick Tracy", "Bulworth" and "Rules Don't Apply". While I liked these other Beatty helmed movies, his only true masterpiece was "Reds", which he won the well deserved Oscar for.
shareJoe Pendleton got screwed.
shareTotally agree with you !
The ending is absolutely horrible and ruins what up until that point is a delightful movie !
Joe is gone , his memories are gone , sorry but the ending of this film shafts joe the man and the spirit of joe !
Leaves a bad taste in the mouth tbh :(
God only knows what possessed the writers to end the film this way , because up until the end it was a really nice film .