Saturday, August 1, 2020

Heaven is for Real - Movie Review

An image of clouds in the sky

The other night I came across the movie Heaven is for Real (2014), which I had never seen.  The story-line synosis caught my attention, stating it was an inspirational tale of a young boy who suffers a near-death experience and claims to have visited heaven.


Heaven is for Real Movie Synosis



Heaven is for Real Movie cover
Available on Amazon
This movie is based on the true story of a 4-year-old boy (Colton, played by Connor Corum) who emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven. The story is told by his father (often in Colton's own words). The father (played by Greg Kinnear) who is a pastor in a rural small-town Nebraska church and a volunteer firefighter, finds that Colton's experience has turned their once peaceful lives upside down. The astonished parents try to find meaning in the alleged miracle, but friends and parishioners are skeptic and dismiss his claims about what Colton experienced. 

Colton begins talking about people he has never met or heard about, such as his great grandfather who died 30 years before he was born.  Colton shares impossible-to-know details about these people he met in Heaven and about having looked down (from heaven) to see the doctor operating on him and how he saw his dad praying in the waiting room. He also talks about how Jesus takes him to meet these people, including a sister he never knew about. 

As townspeople ridicule these stories and school children tease the older sister, his parents try to find the courage and conviction to believe Colton and share his story.  


The Cast


Greg Kinnear does an excellent acting job of portraying Todd Burpo, the father in the movie.  The mom is played by Kelly Reilly and Colton by Connor Corum. The performances of this Christian film are notably thoughtful. 


Heaven is for Real – the Book



Heaven is for Real book cover
The movie is based on the best selling book of the same name. Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back (2010) is a memoir written by Todd Burpo, Colton's father, and Lynn Vincent The book was on the New York Times Bestseller list for a record setting 156 weeks. It is a Christian nonfiction story based on the true experience of the Burpo family. 







Summary


When asked what Heaven was like, Colton answers “Heaven is a lot like earth, except more colorful and more beautiful. “

This is a very sweet, well acted, movie with a Christian based theme. I enjoyed  it very much.



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Written by (c) Wednesday Elf (8/1/2020)







Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


15 comments:

  1. Wow! I am so glad you reviewed this movie and book because I haven't seen either one. I definitely want to. Hard to believe it was on the New York Times Bestseller list for a 156 weeks! We have heard stories about people who have glimpsed heaven in near death experiences, but I find it very interesting that he met a sister and grandfather he never knew. It would be very hard to explain that away.

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  2. I know you will enjoy this movie, Sylvestermouse. I am not very religious, but I had no trouble believing that Colton's experience was real. It definitely is a reaffirmation that there is more we do not know.

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  3. Thanks for the review! Will bookmark to view, love inspirational real life movies!

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. I originally was drawn to view this movie because of the little boy. Love movies with/about children.

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  4. I remember hearing this story in the news many years ago, Elf! I am neither Christian nor formally religious, but I remember thinking about this 4-year-old boy's remarkably detailed stories whose knowledge about deceased relatives he hadn't even known about couldn't be explained any other way. Greg Kinnear seems like a perfect choice to play Colton's father.

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    1. Greg Kinnear was PERFECT in the role of the father. I do not remember ever seeing him in anything before, but I really enjoyed his performance.

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  5. I read the book when it was first released and found it to be a powerful account. I can't recall if I also saw the movie. Normally, if I read a good book, I don't watch the movie version, but I really like Greg Kinnear. I just may have to see his acting in the film version. Seems like he would be excellent as Colton's father. I do like inspirational true stories.

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    1. Greg Kinnear was the perfect actor to play Colton's father in this film. I have not read the book, but sure did like the movie. I am usually like you - the book is most always much better than the movie version.

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  6. I've seen this movie. I believe his account of his experience. I'm very absorbed with the readings of Swendenborg - lots of youtube videos by "Offthelefteye" on his over 10,000 pages of writing on what the afterlife is and isn't based on personal experience - He's a genius from the 1700's - very interesting - It's brought me tremendous peace - actually, the most peace I've ever felt in my life. So yes, for me, this little guy's account is real.

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    1. typo! above it's suppose to say 'and it is based on his personal experience' - sorry!

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    2. I found it very believable too, Barbara. And I KNOW there is more for us after our earthly life.

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  7. I truly believe that "heaven is real" and we are just journeying toward that ultimate goal. Too many people have had near death experiences similar to this young lads and you just know that it has to be real. Thanks for pointing out this movie, I have not seen it yet, but I'm sure I will enjoy it.

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    1. I am sure you will enjoy this movie, too, Olivia. I certainly did.

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  8. This movie sounds absolutely lovely. Thanks for the review, which I will share on Pinterest and Twitter.

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