Down to Earth (2001 film)
A fantasy comedy remake of Heaven Can Wait.
Down to Earth, a 2001 American fantasy comedy, was directed by the Weitz brothers and written by a team including Chris Rock. The film is a remake of the 1978 movie *Heaven Can Wait*, which itself came from a 1938 stage play by Harry Segall. Chris Rock plays Lance Barton, a comedian whose life ends prematurely. Because of this mistake, he gets a second chance, but his new body belongs to a wealthy, middle-aged white man.
The story follows Lance Barton, a funny and confident comedian who can't seem to make his act work onstage. After being booed off, his manager tells him about a farewell show at the Apollo Theater. Hoping for a real audience, Lance is distracted by a woman named Sontee Jenkins while riding his bike, gets hit by a truck, and dies instantly. In Heaven, angels King and Keyes explain he was taken too soon and his body is gone. They offer him a new one, eventually settling on Charles Wellington III, a rich businessman murdered by his wife and her lover, Winston Sklar. Lance agrees to possess Charles temporarily after learning Sontee is protesting at Charles's penthouse.
As Charles, Lance keeps his own witty soul, though everyone else sees the middle-aged white man. He shocks the murderous wife and Winston by returning, then tries to connect with Sontee, but his humor comes off as mockery. Over time, Charles's personality shifts from snobbish to generous: he gives the maid a raise, opens his hospital to all regardless of payment, and enrages his board. Lance also pursues his comedy dreams through Charles, convincing his old manager he is Lance reincarnated. Sontee eventually falls for him, sensing someone else behind Charles's eyes. Charles's wife attempts to seduce him, but he kindly rejects her and offers a divorce. Happy, Lance wants to stay as Charles, but the angels refuse, and an assassin hired by the board kills him.
This death fulfills the deal, and Lance is sent back as Joe Guy, a comedian who survives a car accident with Lance's soul. After a successful Apollo performance, King and Keyes tell Lance he will forget his past lives. King explains that reincarnation means you are always yourself, no matter the body. After they leave, Joe instinctively bonds with his old manager and meets Sontee for the first time as Joe, unknowingly using Lance's exact words, showing his personality remains.
The cast includes Chris Rock as Lance Barton, R
- Release date
- 16 February 2001
- Director
- Chris and Paul Weitz
- Writers
- Chris Rock, Lance Crouther, Ali LeRoi, Louis C.K.
- Starring
- Chris Rock, Regina King, Mark Addy, Eugene Levy, Frankie Faison, Greg Germann, Jennifer Coolidge, Chazz Palminteri, Wanda Sykes
- Box office
- $71.2 million worldwide
- Critical reception
- 19% positive on Rotten Tomatoes; Metacritic score 32/100
Lore & Background
The film follows Lance Barton, a struggling comedian who is killed by a truck after being distracted by a woman named Sontee Jenkins. In Heaven, angels King and Keyes reveal his death was premature and offer him a new body. He reluctantly possesses the body of Charles Wellington III, a wealthy businessman murdered by his wife and her lover. Lance uses Charles's body to pursue his comedy dreams and win Sontee's love, transforming Charles from a snobbish billionaire into a philanthropist. After Charles is killed by an assassin hired by his board of directors, Lance is sent back to Earth as Joe Guy, a comedian who survives a car accident with Lance's soul. Lance ultimately loses his memory of his past lives but instinctively reconnects with his manager and Sontee.
Reader's Guide
Down to Earth received generally negative reviews from critics, with a 19% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 32 out of 100. The website's consensus noted that 'a toned down Chris Rock fails to bring a limp script to life as the movie moves from one gag to the next.' Despite the critical reception, the film grossed $71.2 million worldwide, including $64.2 million in the United States and Canada. It opened at $17.3 million in its first weekend, finishing second, and remained in second place the following weekend with $11.2 million. The film's soundtrack, featuring hip hop and R&B, peaked at number 71 on the Billboard 200 and number 34 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Did You Know?
- The film is a remake of the 1978 film Heaven Can Wait, which is based on the 1938 stage play of the same name by Harry Segall.
- Chris Rock co-wrote the screenplay with Lance Crouther, Ali LeRoi, and Louis C.K.
- The film grossed $71.2 million worldwide against a reported budget.
- The soundtrack was released on 20 February 2001 through Sony Music Soundtrax.
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