January 'Nick's Pix:' HEAVEN CAN WAIT & Book Signing!

Okay, here we go. I’m incredibly excited about this one. If you know me, and if you’ve come to any of the monthly 'Nick’s Pix' screenings at the Lake Theater in Oak Park, you know how much I love sharing movies I adore with all of you.

And on Wednesday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m., we’re kicking off the year with one of my all-time favorite films: Heaven Can Wait.

This is the Warren Beatty fantasy-romance-comedy-classic that not only showed off his charm, but also proved that he's one of the greatest talents in the history of Hollywood.

This screening is also going to be a celebration for another reason: it’s a book signing event for my new book 40 Years, 40 Films, which I will be selling and signing before and after the movie.

So yes, it's a movie night, a book party, a hang-out session, a trivia showdown, and a full-blown Warren Beatty love fest. You really shouldn’t miss it.

The Movie: A Perfect Fantasy Comedy That Holds Up Beautifully

Heaven Can Wait (1978) is a funny, touching, beautifully written story about second chances, love, identity, and... football. That’s right, football.

Warren Beatty plays Joe Pendleton, a backup quarterback for the L.A. Rams who gets yanked out of his body too early by a rookie guardian angel (Buck Henry, perfect as the bureaucratic Escort), only to discover that it wasn’t actually his time to go. But his body’s already been cremated, so the powers-that-be (led by the great James Mason as the classy Mr. Jordan) need to find him a new body.

And what a body they find: a corrupt, rich, recently murdered industrialist named Leo Farnsworth, whose scheming wife (a totally unhinged and hilarious Dyan Cannon) and oily assistant (Charles Grodin, doing what Charles Grodin does best) just tried to drown him in a bathtub.

Now in Farnsworth’s body, Joe sets out to do what he was destined to do, which is to lead the Rams to the Super Bowl, while also falling in love with the woman who shows up at Farnsworth’s mansion to protest his shady business deals: Betty Logan, played by the always-glowing Julie Christie.

The two of them have real, electric chemistry, which makes sense because they were together in real life at the time and had already co-starred in Shampoo just a few years earlier.

But it’s not just a love story. It’s a hilarious metaphysical comedy, a sports movie, a gentle satire, and a total delight.

Why I Love It

Look, I love this movie. I love it. It hits every emotional beat while still being one of the most accessible, crowd-pleasing films you can show to anyone. It’s rated PG, it’s not offensive in the slightest, and it’s genuinely hilarious. This is one of those rare movies that works whether you’re 12 or 82.

Warren Beatty is one of my favorite filmmakers and performers ever. And Heaven Can Wait is a brilliant example of why. He produced it, co-wrote it with the legendary Elaine May (who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for being one of the funniest, smartest people to ever work in film), co-directed it with Buck Henry, and starred in it.

Oh, and he plays the saxophone in it, too! This guy is endlessly talented, and I’m so happy to be shining a spotlight on one of his best films.

Did I mention the supporting cast? Jack Warden, who I adore and who’s been incredible in everything from Used Cars (funniest movie ever made, by the way) to Shampoo,  to The Verdict, gives one of his warmest, funniest performances ever.

The movie doesn’t work without him. Grodin and Cannon are totally over-the-top and perfect. And James Mason’s voice alone is worth the price of admission.

The Event Details

So here’s the deal:

• Wednesday, January 14th

• 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Theater in Oak Park

• Tickets are just $9 for adults, $7 for seniors

• Get them at classiccinemas.com/nick

Before the screening, I’ll say a few words, give you some behind-the-scenes stories, and share why this film means so much to me.

After the movie, we’ll do trivia (with great prizes), and I’ll stick around to sign copies of my new book 40 Years, 40 Films, which I’ll have available at the theater.

This is the perfect way to start the year: a hilarious and heartwarming movie on the big screen and a chance to grab a signed book hot off the presses.

If you can’t make it to the screening, you can still get the book at eckhartzpress.com 

But I really hope to see you there. Because this movie is too special not to experience with an audience.

Final Word

Heaven Can Wait is magical. It’s charming. It’s hilarious. It’s beautifully made. It has a sax-playing football player trying to win the Super Bowl while falling in love and trying to make sense of reincarnation, identity, and destiny. What more do you need?

Come see it on the big screen. Come hang out. Let’s talk movies. Let’s celebrate great filmmaking. And hey, let me sign a book for you.

See you January 14th.

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