Director: Randall Wallace
Writer: Randall Wallace, Chris Parker (Screenplay) Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent (Book ‘Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back’)
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Thomas Haden Church, Connor Corum, Lane Styles, Margo Martindale, Jacob Vargas
Plot: A small-town father must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world.
Verdict: Touching Drama
Story: We follow a preacher whose family is struggling financial when his son suddenly his son becomes sick. After his son recovers he tales the story of how he had visited heaven. We follow as he questions everything he thought he knew as he learns more about his son’s story.
What makes this an amazing story is that it is based on the real account of the young boy. It also doesn’t try to force feed you religion which it could easily have done. This will leave you with that happy fuzzy feeling as it does leave you wondering what you want to believe. Even if you don’t believe in a religious figure you will like the idea of the unexplained during a new death experience. (8/10)
Actor Review
Greg Kinnear: Todd Burpo local preacher, fireman, gym teacher and father whose starting to lose his faith after suffering health issue and after his son gets sick. When his son starts telling him about his trip to heaven he is left to question even more but will he let his faith take over. Good performance from Greg who manages to give us enough to question through his decision as the film unfolds. (8/10)
Kelly Reilly: Sonja Burpo wife and mother who has to worry about the bills and her family’s health. She tries to be the voice of reason until she gets swayed. Good performance as the wife supporting everything no matter how hard things are getting. (7/10)
Connor Corum: Colton Burpo the young boy who has the experience and ends up shocking his family with his tale of heaven and all its wonders. Good performance from the young boy who manages to convince of with his childhood innocents. (7/10)
Support Cast: Comprised with family and friends who joined together to support the family in their time off need. (7/10)
Director Review: Randall Wallace – Creates a nice adaptation of a tale of what you want to believe with the afterlife. (7/10)
Drama: Great usage of the drama side of the story as we follow all the real emotions the characters are feeling after each event. (9/10)
Settings: Each setting is used well to carry on the story with all the location being very real everyday places for the family. (8/10)
Suggestion: It is always good to enjoy a film where you question what you want to believe and this is being based on a true event makes it all the more interesting, but if you are not a fan of that type of film you might find this hard to watch. (Try It)
Best Part: Heaven is beautifully created.
Worst Part: Could be seen to be religious film.
Funniest Scene: What Colton asks the angels to sing.
Believability: The story is based on a real event, but whether it really happened is up to you. (8/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $101 Million
Budget: $12 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 39 Minutes
Tagline: Unlock the mystery
Overall: Solid Drama About Faith
Rating 
