I don’t really like to throw around the word “hate,” especially regarding another human being. It’s an ugly word and has all kinds of nasty meanings.

That being said, I hate Reese Witherspoon. She seems to want to model her career after Meg Ryan but at least Ryan seemed like she had some brains behind the ultra-cute and perky facade. The latest entry in Witherspoon’s rap sheet is Just Like Heaven. She plays a doctor who dies, only to come back and haunt her former apartment. Said apartment is now being occupied by Mark Ruffalo. Of course fate has brought them together and his love may be enough to bring her back to life. There’s no words that can express the extent to which I’m not going to see this one.

The Poster

Dear God, that’s a huge head. I’m talking absolutely friggin’ huge. Ruffalo is pretty much consigned to playing a liliputian to Witherspoon’s gigantic floating diety-like image. It’s pretty, colorful and designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator. On that level it succeeds but it’s also crap.

The Trailer

(gaack….uurp…..slvo…..)

The Website

Much of the content on the site contains the usual material. “About the Movie”, “Photo Gallery” and “Downloads” have exactly the stuff you’d expect. “Trailers & Videos” has two trailers, a featurette, two clips from the movie and four interviews with the main cast members.

The main page of the site is where all the unusual content is. At least it’s unusual in that not all websites duplicate the material. It is however roughly similar to stuff on the sites for other romantic comedies. There’s a men vs. women type comparison and also something about predicting future love. The “Do you have a life?” section seems like it’s fairly insulting to women in a position of power. Finally there’s a portion devoted to Daryl, played by Napolean Dynamite’s Jon Heder, who’s kind of a stoner dude.

Overall

Crap. Sheer and utter crap. I don’t think this campaign actually appeals to anyone since most people will just be offended on general principle. Women, who this movie should be targeted to the most, should be offended by implying that you can’t have it all and if you try you’ll wind up dead.

One thought on “Just Like Heaven – Marketing Recap

  1. “Women, who this movie should be targeted to the most, should be offended by implying that you can’t have it all and if you try you’ll wind up dead.”

    Ha too funny, but to be fair but in a coma, not dead… I know, still not a huge step forward for feminism.

Comments are closed.