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A Little Bit of Heaven (2011)

Director: Nicole Kassell

Time Out rating

Average user rating

5 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Heaven’s above. This excruciating film has Kate Hudson as Marley, a bubbly, single New Orleans gal whose carefree approach to life – no-strings sex, good pals, a wicked sense of humour – grinds to a halt when she’s diagnosed with colon cancer, or ‘ass cancer’ as this genial joker has it. Luckily for Marley, one of her doctors is a reserved but handsome Jewish Mexican, Julian Goldstein (Gael García Bernal – what’s happening to his career?), who challenges his patient’s intractable attitudes to life and death by declaring his love for her just as the medical prognosis isn’t looking so good…

While the early scenes of ‘A Little Bit of Heaven’ come across like a Hollywood ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’ as independent Marley jovially juggles a fun social life with a rewarding job, the film first enters fantasy land when Marley pops to heaven and has a chat with God (Whoopi Goldberg!) and then plumps for all the solemnity and mawkishness of ‘Love Story’ as it makes a handbrake turn from kooky to weepy territory. Worst of all, director Nicole Kassell (who made the very different ‘The Woodsman’) and first-time writer Gren Wells betray Marley’s heart-on-your-sleeve honesty by giving us a dishonest depiction of sickness and death. A game and endearing Hudson is the best thing about the film, but otherwise it’s a cynical affair only suited to those who like a cheap, forgettable weep.

Author: Dave Calhoun

Time Out London Issue 2111: 3 – 9 February, 2011

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User reviews of this film

Nancy said...

Posted on Sep 22 2011 00:58 A pesar del excelente reparto, la película es muy mala, incluso pensando en que es una comedia romática. U(n tratamiento magistral del cáncer está en Wit, de Emma Thompson. Realmente uno no puede entender que la protogonista asuma una posición tan frivola respecto al cáncer y a la muerte y que al final logre entender la vida. Bathes y García Bernal se pierden en un guíon que carece de lógica. Ni drama, ni comedia, ni sentido.

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pipster101 said...

Posted on Feb 15 2011 13:08 As someone living with cancer the idea of this film is both nauseating and trivialising. I'm sure that the director and writer went into it trying to make an honest film about a cancer diagnosis, but somehow I doubt that it's going to have been made with any aspect of reality. I don't hold my breath...

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Chloe and Sophie said...

Posted on Feb 05 2011 22:29 This film is amazing! its heartbreaking and funny and shows that life is there to be enjoyed. The actors portray depth and emotion, and draw you in as Marley's comical character goes about dealing with such tragic news. With woopi guesting as God, it just adds to a perfect film. Not to be shunned or put down!!!!!!!

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lala said...

Posted on Feb 05 2011 17:59 this film is g8 x go and see

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tems said...

Posted on Feb 02 2011 18:55 Sounds awful.. But even without reading this the poster tells you that its likely to be woeful..

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