Heaven Is for Real

Sony Pictures Releasing | Release Date: April 16, 2014

4.6	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 108 Ratings

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mdgrlMay 1, 2014

I am generally not a fan of seeing movies in the theater, but I caught "Heaven is for Real" by accident after other plans were changed. Additionally, I am not a religious person, so I was also a bit concerned that this movie would be a bitI am generally not a fan of seeing movies in the theater, but I caught "Heaven is for Real" by accident after other plans were changed. Additionally, I am not a religious person, so I was also a bit concerned that this movie would be a bit too "preachy" for my taste. However, I decided to take a chance on this one (we did have others to choose from) and am, for the most part, glad I did. My expectations were definitely surpassed.

I think Greg Kinnear is a decent actor and did a solid job in this, but it is unfortunate that whenever I see him in a "serious" movie, I can't help but think of a certain silly cable TV show he hosted back in the day. I was completely unimpressed with Kelly Reilly, the actress who played the wife. The story is set in Nebraska, and it is blatantly obvious that Ms. Reilly is not an American actress. She really did try to have an American accent, but failed miserably. Lo & behold, she is British. I wouldn't have a problem with this if she actually succeeded with her American accent! For me, she was the weak link in the movie. However, the main story really revolved around the father & son, so she had more of a supporting role, thank goodness! The other supporting players were fine, but their roles (church-goers/church leaders) weren't entirely pivotal to the movie, in my opinion. I must say, I think the best acting actually came from the child actor who played the son. For a small child, he was actually fantastic!

I personally did not find this movie to be heavy on the religion, which was quite a relief. In fact, I felt the story was very touching. The root of this movie is really about the love between a father & his son; the son has a phenomenal experience, the father struggles to believe him and subsequently questions his own beliefs because of it. It's an enjoyable film, but one I probably could have waited for on DVD, as I normally do with all the rest!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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DafsterApr 26, 2014

Heaven is for Real doesn't try and apologize for what it is. It's a story that says: "Whether you believe this or not, here it is". As far as the structure of the movie itself went, it started off quite fast paced and seemed to rush quicklyHeaven is for Real doesn't try and apologize for what it is. It's a story that says: "Whether you believe this or not, here it is". As far as the structure of the movie itself went, it started off quite fast paced and seemed to rush quickly through a lot of the parts that were more drawn-out in the book. An example is when Colton goes to hospital - in the book, this was told in much more detail, and showed the gradual increase in Colton's sickness, right up to the point where Colton goes to hospital. In the movie however, the hospital scene seems to come out of no where and is rushed through extremely quickly, creating much less of an impact compared to if there was more of an emphasis here.

I can say though, where the film lacked here, it made up for in the scenes with Colton's descriptions about Heaven. These scenes were some of the highlights of the film, and they just seemed to flow better in the way that they occurred compared to the book which felt more like a ton of questions and answers (To be fair though, they were very interesting questions and answers). One thing that I also liked more about the movie than the book, was that it really showed the families struggles going through hard times with the Church. Colton's sudden descriptions of Heaven really fitted well with this idea as well.

Overall, the Christian themes and values in the movie were something that everyone, Christian or not, should be able to relate to, and the story is one that I hope people will feel encouraged by, Christian or not, and for that reason, I recommend this movie to everyone.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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lukechristianscApr 18, 2014

I just came back home after watching this . this movie well is just really not explainable to say about . this movie took me to another world . It was just powerful , exciting , depressing , and just touching to the people in this worldI just came back home after watching this . this movie well is just really not explainable to say about . this movie took me to another world . It was just powerful , exciting , depressing , and just touching to the people in this world and above are world.… Expand

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

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schneevs67Apr 18, 2014

Very moving, touching and well-acted movie based on a true story. Heaven is truly for real. Heartfelt and emotionally charged that will make you feel real hope and compassion. A must see!

5 of 14 users found this helpful59

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JazzManApr 18, 2014

This was the best movie I've ever seen in my entire life! This film really touched my heart. A must-see film for everyone!! I definitely plan on seeing this movie AGAIN!!!

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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chelehayesApr 20, 2014

Heaven IS for Real. I have met members of the Burpo family - great family and truth is truth. Movies are made to please mass audiences. Read the book - it is truly life-changing. It is an awesome reinforcement for Christians all over theHeaven IS for Real. I have met members of the Burpo family - great family and truth is truth. Movies are made to please mass audiences. Read the book - it is truly life-changing. It is an awesome reinforcement for Christians all over the world. Praying for the non-believers.… Expand

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

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BhawkApr 23, 2014

Having read and loving Todd Burpo’s best-selling true story HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, about his four-year-old son, Colton, and his near-death experience in which he was seemingly given a vivid glimpse of heaven, and then finding out later that theHaving read and loving Todd Burpo’s best-selling true story HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, about his four-year-old son, Colton, and his near-death experience in which he was seemingly given a vivid glimpse of heaven, and then finding out later that the book was being adapted into a major motion picture, I had high hopes that perhaps Hollywood might get this one right. However, I couldn’t help but fear the worst that like almost all other well-intentioned, but under-financed faith-based films produced on low budgets, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL would ultimately end up being just another cinematic sham. Imagine then my heightened optimism when A-list, Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear (AS GOOD AS IT GETS) was snagged to play Burpo and that the film was being directed (and its story adapted to the big-screen) by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Barry Wallace (BRAVEHEART).

Those that loved the best-selling book (over 8 million in paperbacks and eBooks sold) will be pleasantly surprised and greatly relieved to know that screenwriter Wallace has done a masterful job of bringing this touching and inspiring true story to the big screen. That is not to say that the 100-minute film has much (if any) chance of swaying skeptics into accepting the existence of heaven and Jesus Christ as the keeper of the keys. However, Wallace has confidently and faithfully truncated the source material into a movie that more than captures the spirit of the book. With a brilliant marketing move of an Easter weekend release, the film is already a huge hit with Christian filmgoers, and may even become a cross-over success with other film audience demographic categories as well. Despite mixed reviews from film critics (48/100 on Metacritic.com) Sony Pictures is reportedly thrilled with the surprise opening success of the film, with it already earning nearly $30 million, more than doubling its $12 million budget in just five days. Couple those figures with the strong word-of-mouth buzz from the opening weekend movie-goers, and it appears that HEAVEN IS FOR REAL may have much stronger legs than anyone had ever expected.
Kinnear’s performance in HEAVEN IS FOR REAL may very well be his very best to date, as Todd Burpo, a hard-working, vastly underpaid pastor having to find multiple jobs to support his family and serve his community as a volunteer fireman as well. Kinnear brings such sincerity, nobility, and gentle humor to his role that one can’t help but root for him to pull his family through the turmoil that these unsolicited revelations have caused. It will be interesting to see if Hollywood will acknowledge Kinnear’s work here come award season. Although I feel that he is deserving (so far) for a Best Actor nomination, its still early in the year, and the competition will undoubtedly get tough as the fall releases begin to come out. It may also be too much for Hollywood to be able to give such obvious recognition to a low-budget, faith-based film, though it would not be breaking a precedent to do so. Anyone remember Sidney Poitier’s Oscar win for LILIES OF THE FIELD (1963) or Robert Duvall’s for TENDER MERCIES (1983)?
Kinnear’s excellent performance is also enhanced when sharing the screen with six-year-old newcomer, Connor Corum, as Colton. Wallace (putting on his director’s hat) picked young Corum out from a nationwide casting call and was specifically looking for a boy who could speak with “an absolutely honest and open heart.” Kinnear and Corum’s scenes together are so very natural and believable that I was taken back to the Oscar-nominated performances of Dustin Hoffman and (then) six-year-old Justin Henry in KRAMER VS. KRAMER (1979). Though Kelly Reilly as Connor’s mom and Todd’s wife is clearly the weak casting link in the film (her scenes, whether with Kinnear and/or Corum, or not, never really ring true) the film is blessed with strong supporting roles by Oscar-nominee Thomas Haden Church (SIDEWAYS) as Todd’s best friend, and Margo Martindale (AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY) as a skeptical and concerned church board member. Both of these well-recognized actors add great credibility to the otherwise unknown and less experienced cast. The film’s cinematography, helmed by Oscar-winner, Dean Semler (DANCES WITH WOLVES) is gorgeous, and tasteful throughout, especially when depicting heavenly angels floating in bright sunlit, puffy clouded skies, and during the Rockwell-like farmland landscapes of Nebraska (actually shot in Ontario). However, besides Reilly’s unconvincing portrayal as Sonja, another weak point in the film is its original music score which is rather bland and formulaic, and is out-classed by the handful of contemporary worship songs sprinkled throughout the movie that are far more supportive. Grade = B+… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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CherryxldNov 23, 2014

En mi opinión, una de las razones por las que Heaven is for Real no gustó a la crítica es porque se inclina mucho al tema de lo religioso, y he notado que a la crítica no le gusta mucho eso, sin embargo, creo que el film es un buen drama yEn mi opinión, una de las razones por las que Heaven is for Real no gustó a la crítica es porque se inclina mucho al tema de lo religioso, y he notado que a la crítica no le gusta mucho eso, sin embargo, creo que el film es un buen drama y logra ser efectivamente bueno.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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AuntieFeb 8, 2015

The movie was great, and I would see it again. How does anyone know this did not happen to this child, or anyone else for that matter. The child is 4 years old. If people believe in heaven, why can't they believe in him?

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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BradySmithJul 27, 2014

Not perfect, but definitely a step in the right direction. There are some scenes towards the beginning that come across as generic and poorly written, but it soon rides out of that bumpy terrain and finds its footing. It eventually becomesNot perfect, but definitely a step in the right direction. There are some scenes towards the beginning that come across as generic and poorly written, but it soon rides out of that bumpy terrain and finds its footing. It eventually becomes very engaging, moving, and occasionally beautiful. The acting, screenplay, and cinematography are all leaps and bounds ahead of most movies in it's genre. I think it might even change some people's opinions on the afterlife. Sure, some aspects could have been improved upon, but it's far better than similar fare.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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chepod8Jun 11, 2015

Película ideal para semana de Pascua, sin entrar mucho a la parte teológica, el mensaje es claro, la fe puede llegar a tocar cualquier corazón humano.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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movieDramaJul 26, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the begining of the movie isn't good at all, they show us a lot of information, but the real message of the film is along the hole movie. the role than play the kid is very important and he does a good job showing us the spirit of the context, than is more important than other superficial things.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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