Heaven Is for Real

Or is it Heaven for the Christians? It's tough to sell to everyone just by definition. The concept is or should by familiar to everyone, whether they believe it or not. And the movie does take a few shots at it and the reaction people would obviously have if they were confronted with a "reality" like that.

All through the eyes of a child who seems to be saying all the right things at the right moments. Which brings issues into the family and the people close to the family. Acting wise this is really good and there are a few things that are a bit out there (a punching or two, screaming at God and some other things), that you might not expect. But it never gets out of hand completely. It's a movie for those who believe anyway, but has a nice speech by Greg towards the end that can be seen as uplifting.

Much more interesting than the film -- as a film -- is how cynical we have become as moviegoers. I'm as guilty as everyone else. But the film is so slowly paced (as Don Rickles likes to remark, "as exciting as a fly crawling up a drape") the mind wanders. It can't help it. But if there is nothing on screen to mesmerize it, it wanders. And the first place the mind wanders, while watching HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, is to a very cynical place (definitely NOT heaven) where it starts to wonder how such an unspectacular production merited such a big-name cast and director ... and such lavish cinematography .. and such a major studio...?

And as the mind continues to wander (because what is on-screen is still not that mesmerizing) it goes to an even darker place (yep, still not Heaven) and wonders if the real money and clout behind the production was the religious right ... and if the audience was intended to be the same market...?

Folks I don't have the answers. I can't tell you if the writer of the story really went to heaven or if the producers of this film had an agenda. I can tell you that, if you really really really lower your expectations, and allow for the slower pace, it's not bad. Not great, but not bad. There is a scene where the sister of the main character punches out two boys in the playground for poking fun at her brother. It is short and fast and by itself worth the price of admission.

Not heaven. But not bad either.

This was a powerful and emotional movie. It's sad that so many hate-filled, lost and hopeless individuals left reviews simply because they are angry at life and are hollow and empty inside. The message of this movie would do them good. God is Hope and there is something beyond this life. So, quit being depressed and angry at the world and look at the bigger picture and accept God's love. Look into it it's everything...

I walked into Heaven Is for Real expecting something overly sentimental or maybe even preachy. What I got instead was something surprisingly grounded. It's not just a movie about heaven-it's about doubt, grief, and the cost of believing in something bigger than what we can explain.

It's a quiet kind of movie, but it lingers in the heart more than I expected.

✅ What Worked for Me

1. Connor Corum is genuinely captivating as Colton He's not one of those "too-cute-to-be-real" movie kids. He's just honest. When he talks about heaven, it doesn't feel rehearsed-it feels like he actually saw something.

"Jesus had the angels sing to me because I was so scared."

2. The struggle of belief is portrayed with nuance Greg Kinnear as the pastor/dad is great. His faith is tested not by disbelief, but by fear-of what people will say, of what this might mean for his church, his family. It's not dramatic shouting-it's quiet uncertainty. Very human.

3. It avoids pushing an agenda Surprisingly, the movie doesn't try to "convert" anyone. It's about one family's experience and lets the viewer take from it what they will. It doesn't try to answer all the questions-just invites you to sit with them.

4. It's heartfelt and sincere If you've ever lost someone or struggled with belief, the emotional core of this movie will resonate. There's a moment between father and son in a cemetery that actually had me tearing up.

❌ What Didn't Work for Me

1. Pacing is uneven Some scenes feel stretched out, especially in the second act. It dips into repetition, and I found myself waiting for things to move along more than once.

2. Some emotional beats feel overly scripted There are a few moments where it tries to tug at your heartstrings too hard, and you can kind of see the strings being pulled. It works better when it stays quiet.

3. The supporting characters aren't deeply developed The townspeople and church community could've added more layers, but most of them exist just to react to the main story.

🌟 Final Thoughts

6 out of 10 Heaven Is for Real is more about questions than answers. It's not trying to prove heaven exists-it's showing how one family responds when their child claims to have been there. It's gentle, respectful, and at times, deeply moving. Whether or not you believe, you'll walk away thinking a little harder about love, loss, and what might come next.

🎥 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy: 1. The Shack (2017) - Grief, God, and healing through tragedy

2. Miracles from Heaven (2016) - Another emotional, faith-based true story

3. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) - Gentle stories about belief, love, and kindness

4. Life of Pi (2012) - Visual storytelling with spiritual depth

5. I Can Only Imagine (2018) - Faith, forgiveness, and music.

I saw this movie on opening night and there were only four of us in the theater (which was just fine with me). I will start by saying that I am a Christian, was excited to see this movie, and really like Greg Kinnear. Although I liked the story, I was not impressed with the movie overall. The acting was not great, and it was somewhat slow. Again, I like the story they were trying to tell, it just did not grip me nor did any of the characters pull me in. It does make one think about death and heaven and what happens when we leave this earth. I thought it was a very interesting story and am glad it made it to the big screen, but I also think they could have taken this so much further than they did. Please see for yourself though, do not let this review make you hesitate to watch on the big screen or rental at home when it comes out.