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| Director: Alan Rudolph
Actors: Timothy Hutton, Kelly Mcgillis, Maureen Stapleton, Ann Wedgeworth, James Gammon
Studio: Warner Home Video
Buy Used: $13.00
New (1) Used (13) Collectible (6) from $13.00
Rating:  65 reviews
Sales Rank: 219
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Ntsc
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 105 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6301357264
UPC: 012569042339
EAN: 9786301357265
ASIN: 6301357264
Theatrical Release Date: November 6, 1987
Release Date: January 27, 1993
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
"There's more to the picture than meets the eye!" April 29, 2001
John Bird (Wharton, NJ)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I saw this movie for the first time on TV by 'accident' and was quite intrigued by the whole thing. But, like most naive viewers, only saw what appeared on the surface. Being a life-long Neil Young fan, I was very interested in his part in it, but at that time had no idea the title song "We've Never Danced" was one of his. The second time I saw it on TV I taped it, commercials and all, and it began to grow on me. Shortly after, I had a terrible tragedy in my own life and the 'Heaven' aspect took deeper roots. A few years later at my daughter's wedding, I was completely surprised when she chose "We've Never Danced" for the father/daughter dance selection. It was on that 'ballroom floor' that the whole meaning began to sink in. Through my tears I realized that there were no 'accidents' and what was 'made in Heaven' was not the love story, it was the song. From the first note played upon the arrival in Heaven to the final composition when the band is formed, it is the song that slowly takes center stage, enters your heart, and leaves you forever enchanted. This movie is a must-see for all those who desire learning to read between the lines, only to find out that things are not always what they appear to be. "If you don't really know where you want to go, it makes no difference which road you choose." Thank-you Alan Rudolph, and thanks again Neil. Buy it now...it could change your whole outlook!
 Interesting moments brought down by too much cheesiness January 26, 2005
Nicholas Carroll (Portland OR United States)
10 out of 29 found this review helpful
I was so looking forward to seeing this film after a friend told me about it recently. I had never even heard of it before, but it covers a topic I'm very much interested in...HEAVEN. The early scenes in heaven are promising enough and this film is in line with my own beliefs regarding heaven. That much was a joy to watch, and I wished the film would have been set mostly in heaven with more insight about what goes on there. Unfortunately, that's not the case, as Timothy Hutton's character meets and falls for Kelly McGillis' character. Kelly plays a new soul who has never been to earth before, while Timothy's character just recently died. They fall in love, and the film becomes less about heaven than the love these two have for each other, even though it came across very contrived to me. Those two have no chemistry together and it was painful to watch them go through the motions of falling in love. It certainly didn't feel authentic to me, watching it.
The character Emmett gave me the creeps. He plays a strange character whom I got the impression might have been Satan or some other kind of trickster. Because Kelly fell in love, he sends her to earth to live a life and denies Timothy the chance for love and marriage in heaven, until Timothy pleads with him to give him a chance to find her on earth. Emmett relents and gives Timothy 30 years to find her, otherwise he'll never be allowed to enter heaven again. That's kind of harsh, but Timothy agrees and finds himself born as a guy with the unfortunate name of Elmo.
We get glimpses of both their lives throughout the years, but not enough to be drawn in completely. There are some weird scenes that didn't seem to belong in the film, such as when Ellen Barkin pleads with Elmo to start a fight in a bar so she can cheat on the dice and win back her money. When he does so, she pulls out a gun and steals the money outright. What this scene has to do with the movie, I don't know...but it was completely out of place. Probably the only thing going for this film were the cameos by Ric Ocasek of the Cars (in a cleverly placed role), Tom Petty, and Neal Young.
My favorite scene was when Elmo is picked up by an elderly couple heading to California, who confess to him that they never pick up hitchikers, but felt compelled to when they saw him. They treat him to a meal and when you learn his connection to them, it can't help but make you cry. That is probably the most authentic spiritual element about this film. It was so well done, that I wish they would have done more of that for the rest of the film. I also like how Elmo and Allyson keep missing each other in life, and you begin to wonder if he's going to make it before he turns 30. The ending is very cheesy and poorly done, not to mention that its kind of abrupt and that's it. If they were strick on time, they should have cut the bar scene with Ellen Barkin and added more to the ending for a greater emotional impact.
All in all, not bad for the few moments of spiritual bliss I felt while watching this film, but its not enough to place it on the same level as "Chances Are" or "Defending Your Life". The potential was definitely there, but was squandered on unnecessary scenes and characters, marginal acting, lack of chemistry, and some cheesy scenes. If you want a real spiritual experience about heaven, I suggest reading the novel "What Dreams May Come" by Richard Matheson (not the film version). It will really blow you away with all the details of what we might expect in our afterlife experience.
Need to explain to someone what a soul mate is? May 29, 1999
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I was introduced to this movie by a boyfriend when it was first released on video, and loved it so much I couldn't bear to return it to the video store, so payed an exhorbitant price for my copy (for you youngsters, this was before there was amazon.com or a video section in every store). It is a love story that is definitely NOT a "chick flick"... I'll tell you a little secret: most men I have shown this movie to cry harder than the women! This movie is not one you can cook dinner while watching or any activity other than rapt attention, or it is easy to get lost. So much is in the dialogue, but the imagery definitely makes the movie. There are cameos of some very recognizable faces (as well as some that the name is more familiar than the face) that keep even the non-romance-believers entertained. The plays on words and ideas are thought provoking. This movie will stay with you even after just one viewing (but take it from me, it gets better each and every time)!
Made in Heaven - a rare film November 14, 2004
Mr. Clive E. Graham (UK)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This has been possibly my most favourite film, ever since I saw it so many years ago. I had a video copy, but unfortunately lost it and it's been my quest to find another. Sadly it seems that it is unavailable in the UK. This is sad because I think it is a gem of a film. Of course it's a feel good film, but also for the soppy ones of us a tear jerker too. Sad that the UK is missing out, I've searched for years, but no success to get a UK compatible copy.
The most under-rated sleeper I've seen March 25, 2007
David R. Ryle
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
This little known gem has been successfully ignored for too long. I am hopeful the DVD version will finally become available soon.
As with all good movies, the promotion and casting are never the real reason fo success as much as whether the story and direction can create a psycological tie to the viewer. This one excelled for me in many ways.
The exquisite soundtrack had it all. One of the first to use popular songs from a by-gone era to create a nostalgia, and the haunting "Elmo's" theme that Timothy Hutton develeoped throughout the re-incarnation portion was brought to a head beautifully in the closing scene. I was brought to tears in the reunion ending. It still gives me the chills each time I see it. This Neal Young tune "We Never Danced" was treated wonderfully.
Another fine aspect of this film that is a mystery is the casting of the character "Emmett". I believe it is Debora Winger, but I could be wrong. I assumed the character to be either Micheal the Arc-Angel or God, but certainly not the devil. He (or she?) is definitely in control of Heaven and souls. Iwas also very delighted to see the vignettes by Tom Petty, Neal Young and Ric Ocasek.
I urge everyone to see this when it becomes available.
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