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Down to Earth (2001 film)

From Alfawiki
Down to Earth
Company typeFilm
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2001
Key people
Chris Rock, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
ProductsFantasy comedy film

Down to Earth is a 2001 American fantasy comedy film co-directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz, with a screenplay by Chris Rock, Lance Crouther, Ali LeRoi, and Louis C.K. This movie serves as a remake of the 1978 film Heaven Can Wait, which itself was adapted from a 1938 play authored by Harry Segall. The story features Chris Rock portraying Lance Barton, a comedian who dies prematurely and is granted a second opportunity at life by inhabiting the body of an affluent, middle-aged white man.

The film premiered on February 16, 2001, with production costs estimated between $30 million and $49 million. Despite generally unfavorable reviews from critics, it managed to earn $71.2 million globally.

Plot

Lance Barton is an aspiring comedian confident in his abilities but struggles to engage his audience. After being booed off stage, his manager Whitney Daniels offers him a slot in the Apollo Theater’s final show. While heading home, Lance becomes distracted by Sontee Jenkins and is tragically struck by a truck.

In the afterlife, angels King and Keyes inform Lance that his death was premature. Although his original body was destroyed, they enable him to take over the body of Charles Wellington III, a wealthy businessman who recently drowned at the hands of his wife and her lover, Winston Sklar—Charles’s assistant. Lance consents to inhabit Charles’s body to assist Sontee, who has chained herself to Charles’s penthouse coffee table in protest.

Now inhabiting Charles but retaining Lance’s consciousness, he surprises Winston and Charles’s wife by faking a police summons and helps Sontee when she misplaces the handcuff key. Initially, Lance’s comedic style alienates Sontee; however, over time, both the public and Charles’s close associates observe a change: the formerly elitist billionaire transforms into a generous jokester focused on people rather than profits. This shift enrages the company board, especially when Charles promises hospital care for all patients regardless of their ability to pay, leading them to suspect Winston’s affair influenced the change.

Using Charles’s body as a platform for comedy, Lance convinces Whitney he has been reincarnated. He earns Sontee’s affection, though she finds their connection unusual. When Charles’s wife tries to seduce him, Lance rejects her advances and encourages her to seek a divorce. Content with this new existence, Lance desires to remain as Charles but is reminded by the angels of their agreement. Shortly thereafter, the board hires assassins who kill Charles.

Following this, Lance’s soul is transferred into Joe Guy, a respected comedian fated to die in a car crash. Joe survives with Lance’s spirit intact. After delivering a triumphant performance at the Apollo that reconnects him with Whitney, King and Keyes erase Lance’s memories of his previous lives but assure him that his identity remains unchanged. Joe instinctively forms a bond with Whitney and surprises Sontee by echoing Lance’s words, demonstrating that Lance’s essence lives on within him.

Cast

Critical response

According to audience feedback collected by CinemaScore, the movie received an average rating of "B".

Box office

Down to Earth accumulated $64.2 million domestically in the US and Canada, alongside $7 million from international markets, resulting in a global total of $71.2 million.

The film debuted with $17.3 million, securing the second spot at the box office, and retained that position the following weekend with earnings of $11.2 million.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack, featuring hip hop and R&B tracks, was released on February 20, 2001, by Sony Music Entertainment. It reached number 71 on the Billboard 200 chart and climbed to 64 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ranking.

See also

External links

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