Heaven in for Real (7/22/2014)

Rated PG for thematic material including some medical situations.

Starring Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly, Connor Corum Margo Martindale and Thomas Haden Church

Directed by Randall Wallace (Secretariat and We Were Soldiers)

Heaven is For Real…and so is this movie.

Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same name, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL brings to the screen the true 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.
The film stars Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® award winning actor Greg Kinnear as Todd Burpo and co-stars Kelly Reilly as Sonja Burpo, the real-life couple whose son Colton (newcomer Connor Corum) 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.

I really want to begin with some things I loved about the film and we’ll leave the controversy for the end, and one of the things I loved was the acting. Connor Corum makes this film! There are plenty of child-actors out there, but its rare to see one carry a film like this. Greg Kinnear and Kelly Reilly are both great as his parents and Margo Martindale and Thomas Haden Church round out the really strong cast.

Director Randall Wallace, who doesn’t know how to direct a bad movie, keeps the film moving at a perfect pace…and that’s not an easy task when working with a child. He also captures what it’s like to be a pastor in a small/medium-sized church. My guess is that Todd Burpo (writing credit) had a lot to do with that.

Finally, I loved the story. I loved it when I read the book and I loved seeing it on the big screen. It is powerful, moving and very emotional. It doesn’t take long for the audience to fall in love with the Burpo family. And once that happens, you’re hooked. Watching this family struggle with finances, doubt and the validity of their son’s experience is raw and gut wrenching.

So what’s the big deal? Well the film begins with the words, “based on a true story” and it is that story that has lead to some pretty serious controversy. Did Colton Burbo experience heaven? Did he meet his grandfather and sister? Did he sit on Jesus’ lap and hear angels singing? I don’t know. I want to believe his story. But I think it’s more important that millions of people are asking those same questions and looking for answers.

There is one scene that did not sit well with me. In this particular scene Todd is talking to Nancy who lost her son in war. She is clearly angry with God for taking her son and giving Todd his son back. Todd asks her a series of questions that went something like this:

Do you still love your son?

Yes

Do you believe I love my son?

Yes

Do you believe God loved your son?

Yes

Do you believe He loves my son?

Yes

Do you believe He loves my son more than your son?

No

Of course I agree with the answers but I disagree with the “logical conclusion” that because God loves everyone (which He does), that everyone is in Heaven. Jesus clearly said that He and He alone was the way to heaven, but this is a Hollywood movie so I was not surprised by that dialogue. I will say this, I would be much more comfortable taking my unsaved friends to see this film than I would be taking them to see Noah or God’s Not Dead. I believe this movie can lead to some amazing spiritual conversations.

I think it is “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Because this film deals with death and the afterlife, I would say it would be fine for teenagers but it may be too mature for younger viewers.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. Do you believe Colton’s story? Why or why not?


2. Do you believe in heaven? Why or why not?


3. What do you think heaven is like?


4. Read Revelation 21:4
   
   He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
   
   Read Revelation 21:21-27
   
   And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.
   
   Read Revelation 22:1-5
   
   Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.


5. When you get to heaven, what question do you want to ask God the most?


6. When you get to heaven, who do you want to see the most?