Down to Earth (HBO, 2001)

About Down to Earth

'Down to Earth' is a comedy film that was released in 2001. The film is a remake of Warren Beatty’s 1978 film 'Heaven Can Wait'. The plot of the movie revolves around the character of Lance Barton, a struggling comedian who, after being killed prematurely by heavenly intervention, argues that he was not ready to die, and is returned to earth in the body of a wealthy white man.

Making / Production

The movie Down to Earth was directed by Chris and Paul Weitz and produced by Sean Daniel, Michael Rotenberg, and James Jacks. The screenplay was written by Chris Rock, Lance Crouther, Ali LeRoi, and Louis CK.

Actors

• Chris Rock - Play the lead role of Lance Barton, a comedian who gets another chance at life in a wealthy white man's body. His performance added a unique comedic touch to the plot.
• Regina King - Played the role of Sontee Jenkins, Lance's love interest in the film. Her character added depth to the story and her strong performance added to the overall appeal of the film.
• Chazz Palminteri - Played the role of Keyes, one of the angels in Heaven. His performance added a distinct charismatic feel to his character.
• Eugene Levy - He portrayed Mr. Keyes's co-angel, who also had a significant role throughout the film. Eugene's performance brought a unique charm to the character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The concept of the film is based on 'Heaven Can Wait', but the comedic spin makes it a distinctly different take on the original premise.
• Some scenes of the movie were filmed at the world-famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York.

Quotes

• Lance Barton upon reaching Heaven: "I've been here less than fifteen minutes and I've been hit on twice."
• Lance Barton talking about his early demise: "I didn’t even get my 15 minutes yet."
• Lance Barton asking about his new body: "This is what I'm coming back as? An old white guy?"

Music, Soundtrack

• "Down to Earth" - Singer: Chris Rock, the theme song of the movie.
• "Someone to Love You" - Artist: Ruff Endz, a soulful love song that features prominently in the film.
• "Everything Is Everything" - Artist: Lauryn Hill, used in one of the comedic scenes.

Unfortunately, Down to Earth did not receive any notable award nominations or wins.