Timothy Hutton and Kelly McGillis star in this story of true love. Hutton plays Mike, a young man who leaves his hometown to start his life in California. Unfortunately he is killed on his way and finds he is now in heaven.
Reincarnation
In heaven Mike meets Annie, a new soul who has never been to earth. They fall in love, but before they can start their life together in heaven, Annie is sent to earth. Mike pleads with the man in charge to send him back to earth because in his heart he knows that he will find Annie. Their love is eternal.
Mike’s request to return to earth immediately is granted and he is given thirty years to find Annie. If they do not reunite in the thirty year limit, they will never be together again.
Annie was incarnated as Ally and when Mike returns to earth he is reincarnated as Elmo. Their lives are completely different from each other, though often they are in the same place at the same time.
As time is running out, neither Annie/Ally nor Mike/Elmo know that they are looking for each other, although they both experience flashes from their lives in heaven.
Review
I have to admit that I enjoy reincarnation stories. I also have to admit that I did not particularly enjoy this one. The story is intriguing, and the two actors are compelling and enjoyable to watch while they are in heaven. Are two souls meant to be together for eternity?
What is interesting about this film is the depiction of heaven. Too bad it’s not like that on earth. On earth the characters experience misdeeds, betrayals, and heartache. But with the two souls looking to reunite, that is the one bright spot that viewers will enjoy.
What’s hokey is the fact that everyone who is reincarnated looks like they did in their previous life. And when Mike’s parents see Elmo on the side of the road, they see a boy who looks like their deceased son.
While Made in Heaven is not my favorite film about reincarnation, it does have some good parts, so if you are interested in this topic as a fictional film, then by all means check out this movie. And if you are a hopeless romantic, you will undoubtedly enjoy this story as well.
Made in Heaven is part of the Warner Archive Collection and can be ordered at their website.
- Made in Heaven (1987)
- Studio: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
- Rated: PG
- Running time: 102 minutes
