Heaven Is for Real (2014)

A small-town father must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world.

Director:

Randall Wallace

Writers:

Randall Wallace (screenplay), Chris Parker (screenplay) (as Christopher Parker)

Stars:

Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Thomas Haden Church

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Greg Kinnear	...	Todd Burpo
Kelly Reilly	...	Sonja Burpo
Thomas Haden Church	...	Jay Wilkins
Connor Corum	...	Colton Burpo
Lane Styles	...	Cassie Burpo
Margo Martindale	...	Nancy Rawling
Jacob Vargas	...	Michael
Thanya Romero	...	Rosa
Danso Gordon	...	Ray
Rob Moran	...	Dr. O'Holleran
Nancy Sorel	...	Dr. Charlotte Slater
Darcy Fehr	...	Lee Watson
Vivian Winther	...	Katherine Watson
Pete Hudson	...	Old Man Watson
Ursula Clark	...	Painting Girl

Storyline

This is the story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. His son Colton claims to have visited Heaven during a near death experience. Colton recounts the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth... things he couldn't possibly know. Todd and his family are then challenged to examine the meaning from this remarkable event. The church turns on him and so does eveyone who is closer or further to him including his wife.

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Plot Keywords:

spider man action figure | near death experience | christian film | visions of heaven | singing in church | 

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Taglines:

Unlock the mystery. Discover what is real.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG thematic material including some medical situations

Did You Know?

Trivia

Margo Martindale, who plays Nancy Rawling, appeared in other history about afterlife, TV series A Gifted Man (2011).

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Goofs

While having a emotional discussion in the cemetery, Todd is looking at the ground while Nancy is speaking. The camera angle changes and suddenly Todd is looking at Nancy.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Todd Burpo: Is heaven a hope? Or as real as the earth and sky? I once asked my grandfather that question. And he said by the time he knew the answer, it would be too late for him to tell me. The day would come when I asked that question again, staring into the eyes of my son.

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Connections

References Barney & Friends (1992)

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Soundtracks

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing
Written by Robert Robinson and John Wyeth

User Reviews

Pleasantly Surprised By This One

I read the book and really liked it, gave me plenty to think about. But in all honesty I couldn't imagine they would be able to make a good movie out of this. I was certain it would end up overly sentimental or artificial or that it simply would not live up to the book. However, they did it – hence the surprise. This movie IS the book brought to life on the big screen. The casting is superb. Greg Kinnear is the ideal father, Kelly Reilly is fine as the mom, and how they managed to find the perfect child to portray Colton Burpo is amazing. Connor Corwin is so natural and likable, he is wonderful in the role . This movie is not preachy. It does not tell the audience what to believe or not to believe. Like the book, it gives those of us who believe further evidence that we're on the right track. But for those in doubt, it gives you plenty to think about and leaves you with questions you must work out for yourself. It just might leave you with hope and the courage to think there might be something to this belief in Jesus and Heaven. All in all, this is a splendid movie and I'd recommend it, and the book, whole-heartedly.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 April 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heaven Is for Real

Filming Locations:

Warren, Manitoba, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,522,221, 20 April 2014

Gross USA:

$91,443,253

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$101,888,019

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Roth Films, Screen Gems

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (ACES)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1