90 Minutes in Heaven (2015)

A man involved in a horrific car crash is pronounced dead, only to come back to life an hour and a half later, claiming to have seen Heaven.

Director:

Michael Polish

Writers:

Michael Polish (screenplay by), Don Piper (based on the book by)

Stars:

Kate Bosworth, Hayden Christensen, Hudson Meek

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hayden Christensen	...	Don Piper
Kate Bosworth	...	Eva Piper
Hudson Meek	...	Chris Piper
Bobby Batson	...	Joe Piper (as Bobby Blagg Batson)
Elizabeth Hunter	...	Nicole Piper
Nicholas Pryor	...	J.V. Thomas
Michael Harding	...	Dick Onerecker
Cynthia Barrett	...	Anita Onerecker
Bruce Taylor	...	Grandpa Joe
Matt Bauman	...	Mike Wood
Trevor Allen Martin	...	Barry Wilson
Sallye McDougald Hooks	...	Hattie Mann (as Sallye Hooks)
Mark Oliver	...	Police Officer
Matthew Cornwell	...	EMT #1
Jody Thompson	...	EMT / Ambulance Driver #1

Storyline

Based on a true story. A man was in a car crash and was in the car, without a pulse for an hour and a half, while EMT's and police waited for the coroner to pronounce him dead before he can be moved. A man comes along, who feels led to pray for the victim, gets in the car and starts to pray while singing praise songs. The 'dead' man starts singing along and EMT's confirm he now has a pulse. The victim fights his recovery, as he is angry that he was in heaven, only to have God bring him back in incredible pain. Was there a purpose to his return to earth?

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Plot Keywords:

heaven | pronounced dead | recovery | hospital | praying | 

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Taglines:

Hope lives

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense accident and injury images

Details

Official Sites:

Giving Films - YouTube Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 September 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

90 Minuten im Himmel

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,035,273, 13 September 2015, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$4,700,361, 4 October 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Astute Films,Dawn Parouse Productions,Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films (EFO Films)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is based on the real life story of Don Piper, who, driving home from a minister's conference in 1989, crashed into a semi-truck which had crossed into his lane. Presumed dead, Piper lay on a bed covered in tarp, when a passing minister who had also been at the conference came to pray over Piper's body and sang to him, with Piper soon joining in. His arm had been severed and his leg was barely attached to his body, forcing Piper to endure a long and brutal recovery, which included being bed bound for thirteen months. Piper claims to have seen Heaven while he was unconscious, and believes he was on his way there before being pulled back to Earth. Piper has said he was infuriated at God, as his injuries meant he had to endure incredible pain before eventually regaining his mobility. After suffering in silence, he wrote the book which this film is based on, and became an accomplished public speaker. His account of the accident, and his life since, sold seven million copies and has been translated into 46 different languages.

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: 90 Minutes in Heaven/The Visit (2015)

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Soundtracks

The New Me
Written and Performed by Bruce Robison

User Reviews

Very Slow, but Worthwhile

This is based upon a true story.

Pastor Don Piper (Christensen) is in a terrible car accident. He dies for 90-minutes, goes to Heaven, comes back and has months of endless operations and excruciating pain and doesn't treat family and friends in a good way. His wife, Eva (Bosworth), stands by him regardless.

Okay, okay, we all want to know more about what is in Heaven. Well, to learn more about Heaven you will have to wait for 1-hr and 40 minutes or so before Don reveals his experience.

Yes, this is very slow going, but true believers or wanna-be believers will see this to the end. The acting by all and the pacing is very good. In the meantime we see almost everything Don and his family and friends go through and much of it isn't pretty. Why is Don so angry? Why isn't he more appreciative of what family and friends are going through to help him with their prayers? How can a Pastor behave like this is the question we all ask. Patience as all will be revealed beyond the 1:40 mark. And it probably took a friend and former pastor J.B. Perkins (Fred Thompson) to read the riot act to Don about his behavior.

Dwight Yoakam plays Beau Beaumont, Eva's lawyer, and it's possible this was supposed to be comic relief but perhaps this was the way Beaumont really was. Hard to tell, but he was annoying, not funny.

When Don reveals his experience in Heaven he tells of seeing people of all ages that he knew in life. Contrast this with what Catholics say that all of us will be 33-years of age in Heaven. Something to think about or find others who went to Heaven for a brief time and hear what they have to say regarding the ages of people there. But the true message of this movie is this and only this: Heaven is real.

There is a subtle twist in here regarding Don's telling of the one who prayed for him holding his right hand while in the mashed vehicle. This will give you chills in a good way.

I was struck by the really good photography and by the performances of all. Kate Bosworth was truly invested in her role. Good job.

At the end we see the real Pastor Don Piper who sums up his experience. (7/10)

Violence: Yes, the accident. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.