MADE IN HEAVEN
US, 1987, 103 minutes, Colour.
Timothy Hutton, Kelly Mc Gillis, Maureen Stapleton, Don Murray, Debra Winger.
Directed by Alan Rudolph.
Made In Heaven is a pleasant romantic comedy. It has the plot and character styles of '30s and '40s fantasies - and in the '80s seems something of a throwback. However, along with many other fantasies and remakes such as Heaven Can Wait, there was a market for this kind of soft and emotional story in the '80s.
It was directed by Alan Rudolph, former associate of Robert Altman, better noted for tough-minded films including Choose Me, Trouble In Mind. The film has a very good cast led by Timothy Hutton and Kelly Mc Gillis. In fact, some of the stars appear for short cameo roles, including Mare Winningham, Maureen Stapleton. There is a tongue-in-cheek joke with a credit for Emmett as himself. In fact, Emmett is played by Timothy Hutton's then wife, actress Debra Winger. There is also a credit for Lucille - who is played by Ellen Barkin. Neil Young appears as a truck-driver and contributes many songs, including the theme song `We've Never Danced'.
Very romantic, manipulating audience feelings in the hope that the two stars will eventually meet and rediscover their heavenly love.
1.Pleasing love story, romantic, the romantic quest? Fantasy? The power of coincidence?
2.The re-creation of the '40s, the '60s and '70s? The style of heaven? Special effects? Musical score, songs, use of the theme, `We've Never Danced'?
3.The strong cast, the guest roles? The perspective of the director? A throwback to the styles of former decades?
4.Plausibility of the plot? Hopes and dreams? Reincarnation?
5.The portrait of Mike: with his parents, girlfriend, the movies, his war experience, sacked from his job, application at the bank and rejection, leaving town, his girlfriend getting married, his helping the accident victims, his death?
6.Mike in heaven, Aunt Lisa and her painting, showing him round, explaining things, his education, meeting Annie? The encounters with Emmett and his role in heaven? His black friend? Meeting people, moving about? Falling in love with Annie, their lyrical scenes together, courting, about to marry, dreams and hopes, Annie being lost and going back to earth?
7.Annie, an unborn soul, her beauty, her sharing things with Mike? Going to earth to be born? Emmett and his condition for Mike and Annie - 30 years?
8.Mike reborn as Elmo, his mother and her poverty, Uncle Gus and his brutality, the fights, drugs, poor, wandering, his Vietnam service, in the rest-room and the chance encounter with Tom, almost meeting Allyson? His wandering, music? Hitch-hiking, the middle of the road, lying down in crucifix form? The lift from Mike's parents, their friendship with him, the meal, giving him the gift of the musical instrument?
9.Allyson and born into a rich family, her mother's death, her father and his care, toys, the firm and their prosperity? Activist, meeting Tom, the party, the marriage? Their careers, the alienation, Tom feeling that he didn't measure up to Allyson? The separation, her collapse, drinking, in jail, her father getting her out, the walk by the sea, going to California, her sense of despair despite her achievements? Her dream memories of heaven?
10.Elmo and his encounter with Lucille, her glamour, the sob-story, the hold-up in the bar, her pushing him out? Ellen Barkin's vignette character?
11.Elmo and his music, the failed audition, getting the group together, pleading for the record, the manager of the company, the man with the label, success?
12.Emmett and his reappearances? The dreams and memories of the past? The possibility of Elmo and Allyson meeting? The scene in the street - audience hopes that they would meet? The happy and romantic ending?
13.Coincidences, feelings, audience involvement and hopes? The essence of romantic drama?
