Heaven (1987)

If you thought Baby Boom was full of cliches (spinning newspapers, fistfuls of cash superimposed over products being purchased), then Heaven is like a film student's sophomoric attempt to make a documentary as art film. About 40 film clips were reused 4-40 times each (such as the esp. obnoxious planetary collision), about 40 audio clips were repeatedly replayed (usually alarmist preachers' tirades), the sheer number of weird film clips went beyond kitschy and well into sucky territory (esp. the hordes of angels in blackface, dancing for fried chicken and sliced watermelon), and a number of interviewees had no idea what they were talking about (which is part of the film's point, except it kept coming back to the first guy who could never form or express one coherent thought -- usually accompanied by the exploding planet). Oh, I understand the film -- I just don't think it's very good. It's worth seeing for the sheer variety of the interviewees' opinions -- but it would all be pointless if not for the touching and sincere faith expressed by a number of those featured. Diane Keaton predominantly uses facial closeups, tight shots, and ultra-tight shots (centering on just the eyes or the lips), which tends to get exasperating even as the camera captures a wealth of humanity. Heaven ponders the nature and existence of God, heaven, the afterlife, and whether there is love and sex in heaven. (The emphasis on romantic love and erotic attraction is, of course, not spiritual so the nonspiritual interviewees are all for it while the humorless preacher calls them "ignorant." Great way to witness, nimrod.) I'm a believer who thinks that (to use another's metaphor) when the movie is over, not only does the movie continue to exist but so do I -- so I step out of the theater with my friend for ice cream before heading home to live out the rest of my life. This film hasn't been stocked by our favorite service here for a long time so I finally rented a copy from a competing service. (See my growing Bl-ckbuster list for hundreds of titles you can rent elsewhere then rate and review here.) 2.5 stars.