Not only does this title express my sympathies on just how short life really is, this wonderful, light hearted film has many messages we can all embrace.

Aside from the alluring cover of Warren Beatty in a soft, form fitting jogging suit and boyish sneakers, Warren oozes both an angelic, shy quality while concealing a stubborness for life that is irresistable.

This movie remake of the 1941 original was made in 1978, produced, directed and written by Warren Beatty, co-starring Julie Christie, making this movie couple very appealing and delightful to watch, as they come together in a plot that would otherwise have made them life adversaries.

When Warren's character, Joe Pendleton, a pro football player for the LA Rams who also plays the clarinet, is riding his bike through a tunnel from San Francisco to Marin County, is hit head on and is presumably killed instantly, his earthly spirit is transported by an over zealous angel to a holding area where he is faced with his untimely fate.

He is given the option of coming back to earth in another man's body, a ruthless businessman, womanizer and downright scoundrel of a jerk, which presents a terrible decision to this young athlete.  He must either choose to return as this man or remain in a state of limbo indefinitely.

Time is running out quickly, as this man is having a heart attack. The timing of the switch becomes paramount to his decision and he accepts.

He is then faced with the unhappy wife, the introduction to Julie Christie's character, who loathes him for his environment unfriendly decisions for his own gain and wealth.

As the story continues, our young athlete is falling in love with the wide eyed Julie Christie character and begins to get his new body in shape so that he can somehow convince his former coach and dear friend, that he is indeed living in this new body.

He accomplishes this by playing his clarinet, which he does quite poorly, hitting the same off notes that his coach knows so well, convincing the coach that he is who he says he is.

He goes on to buy his former team, plays football again, and is living out his dream to one day make it to the Superbowl.  He then convinces his environmental heroine that he is really a good guy and reverses the damaging decisions made by the man who's body he possesses and essentially has a second chance at life.

Later in this story, his current body is faced with death again as his angry wife and her lover plot to shoot him to death, which they carry out. Our hero must again choose to live through yet another body, this time, one of a younger athlete and football player, who must find a way to connect with his love interest and live happily ever after.  He is given just enough time before changing bodies again to tell her that she must be open to a particular football player and a stranger who will come into her life; that he is a very good man and to give him a chance.

(tears and tissues)

While there are so very many good movies I could have chosen from, as movies are a passion of mine, this one jumped out at me as it has, over and over again.

The messages are clear:

Love for life, passion for health, fittness, a beloved sport, love for a musical instrument, enthusiasm in every endeavor, a chance at true love, honesty, conviction for truth and helping others, strong, enduring friendships, a winning smile, a genuinely good person...and an undying spirit.