This film is a remake of the Warren Beatty classic 'Heaven can wait' and is not a bad effort really. The story goes that Mr. Beatty always wanted the main character to be black in the original film and approached comedian/actor Chris Rock to take on the part in the update, I suspect Chris Rock isn't entirely happy with the results. Chris Rock delivers a good performance as Lance Barton a stuggling black comedian trying to breakthrough and become famous, unfortunately he keeps getting booed off stage. Next thing you know he is knocked down by a truck and killed- luckily those heavenly angels realise its not his time to go (oops) and deliver him back into the temporary body of a middle aged white rich bloke, whose wife is trying to kill him, there after much hilarity ensues. Or rather, it should have. Just as you are getting into the film you think the potential for comedy is there, unfortunately it just doesn't materialise and you're left with lots of hit and miss stuff.
The main problem with the film is that there is perhaps too much focus on Chris Rock and the rest of the supporting characters are just too weak and under developed, plus they give decidedly below par performances on the whole. There are some good moments in the film- all the bits where Chris Rock is on stage are very funny, he is eminently watchable and the main source of comedy is the rather predictable black vs white culture clash.
The film also suffers from a 12 rating. I watched the film with a decidedly pre-teen audience, quite a few jokes went over their heads and were met with silence (or am I just being patronising?) you always have the feeling that Chris Rock wanted to let loose with some more adult stuff. With a typical sentimental American ending this film doesn't gives us non stop belly laughs but is definitely well watchable, destined for the video rental lists I think
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 2000 - Drama - Director: Giuseppe Tornatore - Original Language: Italian - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Monica Bellucci, Giuseppe Sulfaro, Luciano Federico, Matilde Piana
Down to Earth, a tepid reworking of Warren Beatty'sHeaven Can Wait(itself a remake of ... more
1941'sHere Comes Mr. Jordan), tries to mould comedian Chris Rock into an amiable romantic lead, but it softens the scathingly observant humour that made Rock a stand-...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Acclaimed as the funniest man in America, Chris Rock delivers a first-rate performance in ... more
this romantic comedy about a man who gets a second chance at life and love. Struggling black comic Lance Barton (Rock) knows what it's like to die on stage. But w...
Down to Earth, a tepid reworking of Warren Beatty'sHeaven Can Wait(itself a remake of ... more
1941'sHere Comes Mr. Jordan), tries to mould comedian Chris Rock into an amiable romantic lead, but it softens the scathingly observant humour that made Rock a stand-...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Struggling black comic Lance Barton (Rock) knows what it's like to die on stage. But when ... more
his life takes an unexpected turn straight to heaven Lance is sure there's been a mistake. Miraculously he's right! An angel tells Lance he was taken premature...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: some funny jokes, interesting plot, nice romantic angle, Jennifer Coolidge and Greg Germann's double act Disadvantages: a TEENSY bit far-fetched!
Pmshack99 27.01.2005 (27.01.2005)
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Review of Down To Earth (DVD)
![Down To Earth Dvd [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78529177.jpg "Down To Earth Dvd [2001]")
Jun 28th, 2001
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