I saw this at the LDS Film Festival back in January 2008. It is a powerful movie, both inspiring and funny! I took my 10 year old nephew and he loved it, he wanted to see it again - and he doesn't sit still for more than 10 minutes at at time, so that should tell you something! I was touched by the message shared, and found myself examining my own attitude toward others in life. The scenery was spectacular - really added to the ambiance! The tone of this movie is not like the RM or other movies that are LDS comedy, it has more of the tone of Other Side of Heaven. Thank you Heidi Johnson & Christian Vuissa for sharing this wonderful story with us!
11 Reviews
Loved it
Inbrunei3 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I loved this movie. Admittedly, I served a mission in Italy, so I could relate. It was a realistic, feel good movie. No apologies, I will watch it again, and feel just as great. Erin Chambers was delightful to watch, the scenery was beautiful, and memories of my mission flooded in. Tracting, street contacting, talking to people on the bus, being stood up for appointments, and stuffing myself on food in the members homes. I liked the journal motif, and I liked the writing and traveling on the train. I will watch it again with my wife, and my daughter, and tell stories of my mission, and smile. I am so far very impressed with Christian Vuissa's work.
Utterly dreadful
neil-82511 April 2010
I really did try to watch this to the end but I had to give up after an hour otherwise my shoe was going through the TV. The flimsy story us about a your American girl on missionary trip to Austria. At first she is partnered with a pleasant girl but things go downhill when the next companion is a bit of an ogre. Maybe this film is enjoyable to deeply religious people (see the other reviews) but to the rest is nothing less than propaganda. There are some really cringe worthy moments when the cast are attempting to convert the local populace. On the plus side the scenery was beautiful and the production reasonable. Unless you want to be brainwashed don't watch this film.
True Highs and Lows of Sister Missionary Life
rmayj227 March 2013
As a former sister missionary, I found "Errand of Angels" to be extremely validating. I loved the honest way the film addressed the true highs and lows of sister missionary life. I found that it captured the essence of what every sister experiences. I served in Argentina, the film is set in Austria, and yet there are so many parallels that I can draw between the two such as not getting along with a companion, going on a splits with someone new and inspiring, finding your own testimony, serving others, finding yourself in awkward discussion moments, caring deeply about those you come in contact with, losing investigators, being part of a conversion and baptism, and even eating everything on your plate, both known and unknown. Aside from the candid storyline, the the film was shot beautifully and creatively. Visually, it's rich, colorful, and effectively highlights locations, while quietly showcasing European scenery. The overall mood and feeling is calm, peaceful, and spiritually centered. A perfect Sunday afternoon movie. My fourteen year old daughter loves to watch this movie on Sundays. She is looking forward to serving a mission when she is of age and we discuss the way the film portrays a mission as a challenging yet ultimately rewarding experience. I feel that it is important for young sisters to realize that a mission isn't an exotic vacation but an intense learning period full of personal trials to help you grow into the person you can become. I believe that "Errand of Angels" depicts that concept in a very heartfelt and humble way. I am grateful for a film that substantiates the worth of dedicating eighteen months to the Lord.
I'm sorry.
bean-jamin23 August 2008
I just spent the last 2 hours watching a movie, called "The Errand of Angels." I went, not expecting much, and it just kept on disappointing. I'd say 1/2 star, but it's so pitiful that I don't have the heart. As I watched, I kept hoping, "YES! now something will happen!"... and it wouldn't. It just left SO MUCH to be desired. I'm about to rip the movie apart, and I dunno, it was just so bad that I don't want to. I don't recommend this movie. at all. It doesn't have a plot, the characters are completely flat, the dialog consists of the baptismal interview questions and clichés, and it just generally leaves you hanging. The movie tries to cram the 18 months of a girl's mission into a feature film. ugh.
Superb Movie!
bericjohnson21 July 2008
This movie was one of the best movies that I have seen. I really enjoyed the story that was presented. The actors were also first-rate and the cinematography was absolutely beautiful. Having lived in Europe I really enjoyed seeing areas that I had been to. I also served as a missionary in Europe so it was refreshing to see my experiences portrayed on the big-screen. Also, an excellent choice to focus on sister missionaries, as so many of the other missionary movies have been focused on elders. I am really impressed that the entire cast and crew could pull this off. Thumbs up to all associated with this excellent production. I think that this movie will be a big success, particularly in the LDS film market.
Mormon propaganda
lorus8727 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't expecting much but this really took the price. Aside from beautiful town and landscape views this movie has nothing to offer unless your a mormon in a religious crisis.
This isn't some minor religious message á la Ben Hur, this was like attending a mormon rally for two hours. The message is spread on so thick, it leaves no food for thought as a viewer. The plot is predictable and the characters aren't believable.
You would think that, in order to gather no sheep to the fold, the clearly motivated filmmakers would actually make an effort to make this story interesting, but after watching this movie if they didn't even muster the creation to do that.
This isn't some minor religious message á la Ben Hur, this was like attending a mormon rally for two hours. The message is spread on so thick, it leaves no food for thought as a viewer. The plot is predictable and the characters aren't believable.
You would think that, in order to gather no sheep to the fold, the clearly motivated filmmakers would actually make an effort to make this story interesting, but after watching this movie if they didn't even muster the creation to do that.
A very good effort, near flawless
caesarmoridon5 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This movie was extremely impressive to me, it brought back to me many of the treasured feelings of serving a mission and the many trials and tribulations often faced with that calling. The writers take you on a glimpse of what a mission is from beginning to end. Really the only flaw in this film, is the title track played in the middle of the film. The sister missionaries remind me of many of the sisters I served with and have known. The people seemed very genuine from my experiences and the appointments were very viable. If you have never served a mission, but wanted a first hand look at what a mission is truly like, this is what you need to see. It is among the most frustrating work you will ever do, but it is most likely the most rewarding time of your life. At first I was leery about this film and was questioning seeing it, but I am glad I did. My only criticism is one the title track, two the slowness of some scenes and three, there was no three, that good. I would recommend this film to anybody, member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not. Enjoy!
Watchable but frustrating to watch.
rds_125 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't think this was going to be watchable but surprisingly it is mainly because you're not drowning in religious nonsense.
So watching around the religious bits its quite an appealing story. Girl meets world. Would have been better if for instance it was about a girl backpacking or couch-surfing though Europe without all the references to god or something related. But all that religious stuff can't be ignored. I was constantly feeling the urge to shake those missionary sisters to try and wake them up. They seem to have good intentions, I guess you could say they have their hart at the right place but this isn't the way to do good. Trying to convince people fictional stuff is real seems very mind controlling to me (have you heard of those ridiculous Mormon/Bible/Coran... stories?). Rather use those good intention for some real doing good like helping greenpeace or something.
Something I noticed is that they were quite hesitant to use the word Mormon throughout the first 3/4 of the movie. I wonder why? I didn't even realize that it wasn't the regular Christian stuff one thinks of when hearing the word missionary.
The acting throughout the movie was quite decent although it didn't have much dept overall. One thing tough the lead character didn't seem to get any better at German besides from understanding more. Her German accent was horrible as well. No improvement whatsoever although she says at one point that her German improved quite a bit.
So watching around the religious bits its quite an appealing story. Girl meets world. Would have been better if for instance it was about a girl backpacking or couch-surfing though Europe without all the references to god or something related. But all that religious stuff can't be ignored. I was constantly feeling the urge to shake those missionary sisters to try and wake them up. They seem to have good intentions, I guess you could say they have their hart at the right place but this isn't the way to do good. Trying to convince people fictional stuff is real seems very mind controlling to me (have you heard of those ridiculous Mormon/Bible/Coran... stories?). Rather use those good intention for some real doing good like helping greenpeace or something.
Something I noticed is that they were quite hesitant to use the word Mormon throughout the first 3/4 of the movie. I wonder why? I didn't even realize that it wasn't the regular Christian stuff one thinks of when hearing the word missionary.
The acting throughout the movie was quite decent although it didn't have much dept overall. One thing tough the lead character didn't seem to get any better at German besides from understanding more. Her German accent was horrible as well. No improvement whatsoever although she says at one point that her German improved quite a bit.
Fifty seven channels and NEARLY nothing on (hotel)
leplatypus7 September 2014
The boss sang it in 1992 and i experimented this fact during my west coast - east coast this summer. I was in America for 23 days with a different city, hotel room each day and for more than 3 weeks, my zapping on cable TV was a lost time : an explosion of ads, limited sport choices, silly programs about home, food, TV reality, sharks or crimes, awful movies, stupid sitcoms, looping news, well, not an once of creativity or culture
Except when i reached Salt Lake city and i discovered this movie on BYU TV : this night would be forever in my mind.
This is just an amazing feature, totally out of time and deeply engaging, a bit close to « Hideous Kinky »: it's about a young missionary sister who travels abroad to fulfill her faith. Her enthusiasm and energy is just gripping & contagious and her faith and doubts were so pure that it was deeply moving.
In a way, it was also like a slap in my face to wake me up: do i live a fulfilling existence? Am i truly happy? With my actual occupation, i can't really say that but in the same time i don't imagine everything else. It's clear that making a living from our convictions or putting efforts to concretize them is fantastic. I think that in a way, I aspire myself to that alternative life so that's explain why that kind of movies makes always a big impression on me.
In all cases, meeting this kind of girl who is driven by spiritual needs would be a miracle as looks and money seems to be the only assets in relationships today. Her experience is very well told with fun and with wisdom. It's cool to see that they can joke about their religion just because smile and laughs comes from their heart thus from their creator ! It gives also a good lesson about tolerance and compassion : loving your neighbors isn't only loving the ones who cares about you but especially the ones who are difficult ! And as in « Signs », you can understand that having faith is to never be alone and to have a special connection with the creator !
At last, the director frames with talent all the shoots and the songs are just great : « as sisters in Zion », « silent night » that is sung with a feeling of a simple joy and inner peace so true that it's the best version i have ever heard!
In conclusion, if those angels errand, they are also touched by grace as this movie really shines your day now and after !
Except when i reached Salt Lake city and i discovered this movie on BYU TV : this night would be forever in my mind.
This is just an amazing feature, totally out of time and deeply engaging, a bit close to « Hideous Kinky »: it's about a young missionary sister who travels abroad to fulfill her faith. Her enthusiasm and energy is just gripping & contagious and her faith and doubts were so pure that it was deeply moving.
In a way, it was also like a slap in my face to wake me up: do i live a fulfilling existence? Am i truly happy? With my actual occupation, i can't really say that but in the same time i don't imagine everything else. It's clear that making a living from our convictions or putting efforts to concretize them is fantastic. I think that in a way, I aspire myself to that alternative life so that's explain why that kind of movies makes always a big impression on me.
In all cases, meeting this kind of girl who is driven by spiritual needs would be a miracle as looks and money seems to be the only assets in relationships today. Her experience is very well told with fun and with wisdom. It's cool to see that they can joke about their religion just because smile and laughs comes from their heart thus from their creator ! It gives also a good lesson about tolerance and compassion : loving your neighbors isn't only loving the ones who cares about you but especially the ones who are difficult ! And as in « Signs », you can understand that having faith is to never be alone and to have a special connection with the creator !
At last, the director frames with talent all the shoots and the songs are just great : « as sisters in Zion », « silent night » that is sung with a feeling of a simple joy and inner peace so true that it's the best version i have ever heard!
In conclusion, if those angels errand, they are also touched by grace as this movie really shines your day now and after !
Absolutely fantastic!
rslessons8 August 2008
My family and I just recently went to the free previewing of this film, and I was extremely impressed as was my family. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was touching to see how Sister Taylor, the main character, overcame her struggles and was able to help so many people! I would strongly recommend this film to anyone of any age, and I hope many people will go to support this film when it is officially released. We need to show Hollywood that films such as these are what the people want, and that we are willing to support it so much that the first day showing will be sold out. Please go and see this movie, and tell as many as you can about it.
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