Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Made In Heaven is a very cute, very sweet story.  It examines love, and whether it really does conquer all.

How's this for something different: Mike and Annie (Timothy Hutton and Kelly McGillis) fall in love.  Where?  Up in Heaven.  Mike was a man in his twenties when he met an untimely death, while performing a heroic act.  And Annie is a "new soul", born in Heaven, never yet having been to Earth.  The two are blissfully happy until Annie's turn comes up - it's her time to become the soul of a newborn baby down on Earth.  Mike is heartbroken at her leaving, and begs "the man in charge" to be placed into the body of a baby boy.  His wish is granted with one caveat - he has only thirty years to find Annie, and rekindle their love.

Thus babies Elmo and Ally are born - on different coasts.  They grow up and live their lives, unaware that they've met previously.  But always feeling that something's "missing".

The movie follows their lives over the next three decades.  All along we're left to wonder - will they somehow find each other, before the celestial deadline runs out? 

Visually, this movie is a treat.  The initial scenes of Mike's life prior to his early demise are in black and white. It helps to define the era and the somewhat bleak atmosphere of his existence.  But - then - when Mike finds himself in Heaven, the scenes are suddenly bathed in bright, glorious colors.  I thought it was a clever device to use color in this way.

The scenes in Heaven are so pretty, and life up there is depicted as such bliss!  It made me smile to think of such a sweet happiness.  Except, I'm not sure I like the premise that you can find true love up there, but lose it, when a soul is called back to Earth.  It seems to me that love in Heaven should be perfect, with an unending quality.  Not something to be granted, only to then have to live in fear that the next day could be "it".

No review of this movie would be complete without mentioning the soundtrack and the musical cameo appearances.  The soundtrack is full of tunes written, and in some cases, performed, by Neil Young, Ric Ocasek, Luther Vandross.  The songs were beautiful, and matched the mood of the movie perfectly.

As for the cameo appearances, keep an eye out for Neil Young as a truck driver, Ric Ocasek as a mechanic, and a very shady character played by Tom Petty.

There's also a surprise uncredited appearance by Debra Winger.  I won't spoil for you which character she plays, but trust me, you'll be shocked when you see her.

Overall, this is a sweet, feel-good movie, one which I think most viewers will enjoy.  But don't go into it expecting a typical rom-com.  Made In Heaven is 99% romance, with just a smidgeon of comedy tossed in. 

Recommended: Yes