When amateur comedian Lance Barton (Chris Rock) finds himself at Heaven's door, he is convinced there has been a mistake.
Miraculously he is right. Since returning to his own body is not an option, a heavenly agent places him into the corpse of a rich Manhattan mogul who has just been murdered by his wife - until a more suitable replacement can be found.
Ironically, it is as this strange new person that Lance ultimately discovers his true self, falls in love and improves his comedy act in the process.
It seems everyone is trying to get into Heaven; at least those whose time is up. For Lance Barton, a struggling comedian and able bicycle messenger, his due date upstairs isn't for another 43 years. In the meantime, he has big dreams to pursue on Earth, including a crucial Amateur Night Contest at the famed Apollo Theatre. Hampering Lance's dream however, is one little problem - he isn't at all funny!
However, one day his life changes forever, thanks to an overcautious emissary from Heaven called Mr. Keyes (Eugene Levy). Showing that even God has difficulty finding good help these days, the inept minion mistakenly plucks Lance from a traffic accident - before it actually takes place.
Transporting him to the Pearly Gates, or more accurately, the velvet roped-lines of the most desirous of clubs, the error is finally addressed by Mr. King (Chazz Palminteri), the no-nonsense head angel who manages the place.
Since returning to his own body on Earth is impossible, the urban raised Lance reluctantly agrees to an unthinkable proposal. He will occupy the body of a wealthy old mogul, Charles Wellington, until a more suitable replacement could be found. There, in a plush Park Avenue penthouse, servants and butlers fill his new social circle as Lance works on his streetwise comedy routine for the big Apollo showdown.
Living in the body of a wealthy old white man is bizarre enough for Lance without falling in love with the beautiful woman (Regina King) publicly battling Wellington's company.
Complicating matters further is the love affair between Wellington's wife (Jennifer Coolidge) and his personal assistant (Greg Germann), both of whom also plot to have the old man killed.
Living in this most unlikely world, Lance discovers his true inner self, enabling him to finally tap into his potential to reach his dreams.
Also known as "Made to Love Her". It is also the remake of the 1941 "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" and 1978's "Heaven Can Wait."
Down to Earth is a Film programme that first aired in 1947 and has been classified a U certificate.
