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A Little Bit of Heaven (2012) movie poster

Characters & Themes

A Little Bit of Heaven (2012) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2012 · 106 min · English
JustWatch #5,995 4
Directed by
Nicole Kassell
Starring
Peter Dinklage, Gael García Bernal, Kathy Bates, Kate Hudson

Marley Corbett uses humor and charm to deflect intimacy and commitment, building a wall around her heart. A significant medical diagnosis prompts her to re-evaluate her life and relationships, leading her on a journey of self-discovery. She confronts her anxieties about vulnerability and begins to explore the possibility of genuine connection, ultimately facing unexpected truths about herself and the people around her.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like A Little Bit of Heaven
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch A Little Bit of Heaven (2012)

Where can you watch A Little Bit of Heaven? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and Fawesome: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

A Little Bit of Heaven Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of A Little Bit of Heaven (2012), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Marley Corbett

    Marley is a free-spirited ad executive who initially navigates life with a carefree attitude. Her character evolves as she confronts a cancer diagnosis, teaching viewers about resilience, humor, and the transformative power of love. Marley's journey reflects her struggle to embrace vulnerability while facing her ultimate fate.

    • 👩‍💼 Main Character
    • 💪 Resilient
  • Dr. Julian Goldstein

    Dr. Goldstein is Marley's compassionate doctor who becomes her confidant during her health crisis. His professional demeanor softens as their relationship deepens, illustrating his role not just as a physician, but as a source of emotional support for Marley during her toughest moments.

    • 👨‍⚕️ Doctor
    • ❤️ Supportive
  • Sarah

    Sarah is Marley's observant friend who notices changes in her behavior and encourages her to seek help. Her loyalty and concern for Marley highlight the themes of friendship and support, providing a grounding presence that aids Marley in navigating her journey.

    • 👭 Best Friend
    • 🌟 Supportive
  • Peter

    played by Peter Dinklage

    Peter is Marley's observant neighbor who confronts the realities of life and death. His unexpected visit and shared experiences offer unique insights that encourage Marley to embrace her fears, exemplifying the impact of interpersonal connections in facing mortality.

    • 👤 Neighbor
    • 💡 Insightful

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:04

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Setting

Where and When Does A Little Bit of Heaven Take Place?

The setting of A Little Bit of Heaven (2012): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Location

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural heritage, lively music scene, and flavorful cuisine. It's famous for events like Mardi Gras and boasts a unique blend of French, African, and Spanish influences, making it a hub of creativity and celebration.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🎉 Celebration

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:04

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2 major themes

A Little Bit of Heaven Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is A Little Bit of Heaven (2012) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love & Loss

    The film explores themes of love and acceptance in the face of inevitable loss. Marley's journey highlights the importance of cherishing relationships and facing one's mortality with grace. Ultimately, it underscores the emotional connections that provide comfort amidst life's challenges.

  • Life Celebration

    Throughout the narrative, Marley learns to celebrate life and its fleeting moments. From engaging in joyful experiences like flying lessons to creating heartfelt messages for her loved ones, the film emphasizes living fully and embracing each moment, creating a celebration of existence despite impending loss.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:04

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Character & theme questions

A Little Bit of Heaven Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about A Little Bit of Heaven (2012): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is A Little Bit of Heaven set?

The movie is set in New Orleans, a city known for its rich cultural heritage, lively music scene, and vibrant celebrations. The setting's festive atmosphere and unique blend of French, African, and Spanish influences create a backdrop that contrasts with the film's heavy subject matter, adding layers of meaning to Marley's journey.

  • new orleans
  • setting
  • location
  • city backdrop
Q2

What is the tone of the movie?

The film has a bittersweet tone that balances humor with emotional depth. Despite dealing with terminal cancer, Marley uses humor as a central coping mechanism. The tone stays grounded in character-driven storytelling rather than becoming overly heavy, allowing moments of joy and levity to coexist with the serious subject matter.

  • tone
  • humor
  • emotional
  • bittersweet
  • mood
Q3

Who is Marley Corbett?

Marley Corbett is the protagonist, a free-spirited ad executive who uses humor and charm to deflect intimacy and commitment. After receiving a cancer diagnosis, she undergoes a journey of self-discovery, learning to embrace vulnerability and genuine connection while facing her mortality. Her character embodies resilience and the transformative power of love.

  • marley corbett
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • lead role
Q4

Who is Dr. Julian Goldstein?

Dr. Julian Goldstein is Marley's compassionate oncologist who becomes her confidant during her health crisis. Initially maintaining a professional demeanor, his relationship with Marley deepens over time, evolving from physician to source of emotional support. He represents the intersection of medical care and human connection in the face of terminal illness.

  • dr julian goldstein
  • doctor
  • physician
  • support character
Q5

Who is Peter in the movie?

Peter, played by Peter Dinklage, is Marley's observant neighbor who helps her confront the realities of life and death. His unexpected visits and shared experiences offer unique insights that encourage Marley to face her fears. Through their connection, the film explores how interpersonal relationships can provide perspective and comfort when facing mortality.

  • peter
  • peter dinklage
  • neighbor
  • supporting character
Q6

Who is Sarah in the story?

Sarah is Marley's loyal friend who notices changes in her behavior and encourages her to seek help. Her observant nature and concern for Marley highlight the themes of friendship and support throughout the film. Sarah provides a grounding presence that helps Marley navigate her difficult journey.

  • sarah
  • friend
  • supporting character
  • friendship
Q7

What is the Love & Loss theme about?

The film explores love and acceptance in the face of inevitable loss. Marley's journey highlights the importance of cherishing relationships and facing mortality with grace. It underscores the emotional connections that provide comfort amidst life's challenges, showing how love can coexist with impending loss.

  • love
  • loss
  • death
  • acceptance
  • relationships
  • theme
Q8

What does Life Celebration mean in the film?

Throughout the narrative, Marley learns to celebrate life and its fleeting moments. The film emphasizes living fully and embracing each moment through experiences like flying lessons and heartfelt messages for loved ones. It creates a celebration of existence despite impending loss, focusing on quality of life rather than just its quantity.

  • life celebration
  • living fully
  • seizing the day
  • theme
Q9

Why is New Orleans important to the story?

New Orleans serves as more than just a location, it reflects the film's themes of celebration and resilience. The city's culture of music, joy, and communal gathering mirrors Marley's own approach to facing her diagnosis. Its festive spirit embodies the film's message about finding joy and connection even during life's darkest moments.

  • new orleans significance
  • cultural backdrop
  • city meaning
Q10

What is A Little Bit of Heaven about?

The movie is about learning to embrace vulnerability and genuine connection despite fear of intimacy. Through Marley's cancer diagnosis, the film explores how confronting mortality can lead to profound personal growth. It delivers a message about cherishing relationships, living fully, and finding peace through authentic human connection.

  • movie meaning
  • central message
  • theme
  • plot summary

Movie threads

More Movies Like A Little Bit of Heaven, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes A Little Bit of Heaven tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about life-affirming illness journeys like A Little Bit of Heaven

Stories that find grace and connection while facing a life-altering diagnosis. If you liked the heartfelt and humorous approach to a serious diagnosis in A Little Bit of Heaven, you'll appreciate these similar movies. This collection features stories where characters use wit and warmth to embrace life and forge deeper connections in the face of mortality.

  • heartfelt
  • poignant
  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • uplifting
  • tender
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically begins with a life-shattering diagnosis that forces a protagonist to re-evaluate their priorities. The journey involves reconciling with the past, deepening relationships in the present, and finding a unique form of peace or legacy. The climax is often less about a cure and more about achieving emotional resolution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared ability to balance heavy emotional subject matter with a surprising amount of levity and hope. They share a bittersweet tone, a character-driven pace, and a core theme of finding meaning and joy even in the most difficult circumstances.

Romantic dramas born from personal crisis like A Little Bit of Heaven

Love stories that blossom unexpectedly during times of profound personal upheaval. Looking for romantic stories similar to the connection in A Little Bit of Heaven? These movies feature love that develops during a character's profound personal struggle. The romance is deeply intertwined with themes of healing, self-discovery, and embracing vulnerability.

  • tender
  • heartfelt
  • romantic
  • poignant
  • emotional
  • hopeful
  • Tone: tender, bittersweet, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The romantic plot is secondary to the protagonist's primary internal or external conflict. The love interest often serves as a catalyst for change, helping the main character lower their defenses and confront their fears. The relationship's depth is measured by its role in the protagonist's broader emotional arc, rather than just conventional romantic milestones.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a specific narrative structure where romance is a key component of a larger emotional journey. They blend genuine romantic development with heavier dramatic themes, resulting in a tender, heartfelt, and often bittersweet vibe that feels earned and meaningful.

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Movies Like A Little Bit of Heaven

Similar movies to A Little Bit of Heaven: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

A Little Bit of Heaven (2012) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about A Little Bit of Heaven in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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