Heaven

This is an effective odyssey into the religious beliefs of what appear to be mainly average people off the street, specifically regarding beliefs in "heaven". It also uses stock footage to good ends to illustrate its main themes, drawing from horror films, other old documentaries, Metropolis, etc. Most interviewees are harmless enough, if extremely naieve about fairy-tale types of "heaven", but the actual "ministers" are an arguably controlling, fear-mongering and hateful bunch. One woman claims all ethnic people will become white in heaven, but be allowed to keep their own names. Others have seen Jesus hovering around their homes, modelling different outfits in each room, before disappearing in the bathroom. If you've ever seriously wondered about the benefits of religious belief, what the ultimate "payoff" of those beliefs might be, and what sorts of average people harbor such beliefs, then "Heaven" amply illustrates the topic. Inventive, clever, outrageously funny, and touching and frightening simultaneously. Whether you're religious or not, this film is well worth seeking out.

Heaven's subject is simply that. Diane Keaton interviews a terrific assortment of people on the topic of what they believe heaven is like. Alone or in pairs, she asks her subjects a variety of questions about what they expect to find in the afterlife. The interviews are then edited together to show us how different people responded to the same questions. Keaton sets the mood by introducing her collage technique. Topical clips from black-and-white films, painted title cards, and interviews with her subjects are all interwoven to create a playful and interesting discussion of heaven. The title cards set up themes (Is there Sex in Heaven?), then the next several clips will show people addressing that very question. Keaton herself does not appear in the film. The subjects sit in beautiful, slightly surreal sets, directing their responses off-camera. What really made this film stand out for me, though, is its delightful attitude. By staying off-camera, Keaton removes herself as the questioner and puts me in her place, so I can't help but begin to feel her genuine curiosity in asking questions about heaven. Personal religious beliefs become secondary to a joy I take in hearing what the concept of heaven means to these various people. And I grow to really LIKE these people. The first thing I learn about them is this deeply personal notion of what they think will happen to them after they die. I was totally fascinated, and I bought the movie, and I recommend it to everyone. It's hilarious, sometimes sad, occasionally creepy, and completely interesting. I felt cheated that I had never heard about it until twelve years after it was made. I could have been enjoying it for so much longer.

Director Diane Keaton, has created a Gem in "Heaven".....it's one of those flicks that sneaks up on you......and years later, you remember.........

(16 years later).....for me....as a Producer/Director, producing a documentary which has a major universal appeal/connection.....Ms. Keaton's "Heaven" continues to inspire me..........to Dream BIG....while keeping it Simple......

Hats Off to you, Diane! and thank you kindly....for paving the way....

Actress Diane Keaton takes her first stab at directing with this unassuming little documentary about the possibility of an afterlife. It's an odd one, with Keaton (off-screen) interviewing a bizarre assortment of people on the subject of death, God and Jesus, and what is ultimately in store for all of us. The use of old movie clips to spike the action is well-intended but never really pays off, and the picture runs too long and outstays its welcome. Has some arty appeal however, and portions of it look good in a retro/campy way, but it isn't very engaging or enlightening. The soundtrack features an interesting mix of music, including a song by the Dream Academy entitled "Heaven" (natch) that is quite beautiful. **1/2 from ****

There is nothing average about these quirky, heart-wrenching, hysterical interviews with average folks, famous folks, heart-wrenching folks and hysterical folks in quirky settings answering age old questions about Heaven...(How Do You Get There?) (Is There Sex in Heaven?)

Everyone's point of view matters. Everyone's point of view becomes comical, if only for the deeply held sincerity of such a wide variety of beliefs.

My favorite quotes...

"Because I believe, and I believe, and I *Know*..."

"It's like he gave you a pair of shoes, and they were beautiful, but they were not my size. And that's how it is in Heaven."

"There are signs in the sky lotsa times Diane, lotsa times."

"And then Jesus flipped over into my living room."

The interviews are interspersed with unique, and some rare, film bits. I have over the years been able to discover and enjoy many of the films these were taken from, so that's a bonus as well.

I remember seeing Diane on the David Letterman show way back when promoting this film.... giggling that there were lots of kissing scenes. Little did i know when i raced out to buy and support her work that i would fall in love with (almost) everyone in the movie, too. I have cried for these people. I have laughed at and with these people. I've quoted this movie at least a thousand times.

All these years, and 3 VHS copies later, i can only hope that people are still discovering the beauty that is Heaven.