Dear God (1996)

When letters written to God start getting results, and replies, people everywhere are amazed. The Post Office however is annoyed.

Director:

Garry Marshall

Writers:

Warren Leight, Ed Kaplan

Stars:

Greg Kinnear, Laurie Metcalf, Maria Pitillo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greg Kinnear	...	Tom Turner
Laurie Metcalf	...	Rebecca Frazen
Maria Pitillo	...	Gloria McKinney
Tim Conway	...	Herman Dooly
Hector Elizondo	...	Vladek Vidov
Jon Seda	...	Handsome
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Idris Abraham
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Lucille Barnett
Kathleen Marshall	...	Whispering Wendy
Isadora O'Boto	...	Hot Mary
Felix Pire	...	Ramon (as Felix A. Pire)
Donal Logue	...	Webster
Sam McMurray	...	Federal Prosecutor
Nancy Marchand	...	Judge Kits Van Heynigan
Larry Miller	...	State Judge

Storyline

Tom Turner is a con man, defrauding people from their money with a variety of two-bit hustles. One night he makes the mistake of attempting to hustle some undercover cops, and finds himself in court faced with the dilemma of either going to jail or getting a real job. Choosing to stay out of jail, he gets a job at the post office working in their Dead Letter Office helping to sort Dead Letters (i.e. mail which, for whatever reason, can't be delivered). Some of the mail he recieves can't be delivered because it's addressed to God, and he accidentally answers (sending them money in the process). This starts the ball rolling as more of his co-workers get in on the idea of helping people by answering "God" mail.

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Plot Keywords:

letter | money | post office | court | con man | 

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Taglines:

Many people write to God. Somebody is answering.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and mild thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cher bon Dieu

Filming Locations:

Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,213,045 (USA) (1 November 1996)

Gross:

$7,061,018 (USA) (10 January 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rysher Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Garry Marshall:  As the Postmaster General.

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Goofs

Tom is shown driving a mid-1980s model Chevy S-10 pickup. In one scene, a shot of him turning his ignition key shows the steering column and interior of a completely different vehicle.

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Quotes

Bodacious TV Anchor: ...this may be the first time that a serial killer has used poison cereal to kill his victims...

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Connections

References The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

User Reviews

One of the best Christmas movies in recent years!

I just love this movie. It is funny and heartwarming. It has a happy ending. Laurie Metcalf is unforgettable along with a stellar cast. It may not be the best movie but it is fun to watch and enjoy. Tim Conway is unbelievable as a burned out postman. Laurie Metcalf as a burned out lawyer. Greg Kinnear who joins this zany group of people who are ordinary and do something to make themselves extraordinary people. It gives you a warm feeling by the end of the movie. Please rent or buy this movie. It's fun for the whole family. I love watching Rue McClanahan and Jack Klugman. The story might be flawed but it's always worth watching especially around the holidays when you need a little cheering up to do. Greg Kinnear is a good actor who is working at being a good film actor.