Review: a Religious Man’s Faith is Tested in ‘Heaven is for Real’

“Heaven is for Real” is a little like “Jurassic Park.” Both feature an expert in their fields, with every reason to believe in the existence of their study, who, staring at its evidence, still find reason to disbelieve. And while Alan Grant was staring at a Brachiosaurus, this movie’s protagonist, a preacher named Todd, is staring at his son, who has what can only be translated as a near death experience—though his son didn’t die. This movie is based on a true story, and is aimed at more faith-based individuals than those seldom found in church on Sunday. However, it’s not over-the-top, and, with competent actors, poses a unique test on a man’s faith—by showing him that what he believes in blindly may be real, and letting him struggle with this for the rest of the film.

Directed by Randall Wallace, “Heaven is for Real” is a departure from other writing attempts, such as “Pearl Harbor” or the emotional “Braveheart.” The movie focuses on one family, the Burpos, who live in rural Nebraska, and are decidedly close knit. Patriarch Todd (Greg Kinnear), runs a small business, is a hospital minister, and is also a volunteer fireman and the town preacher. Todd and his wife Sonja—and their children, Colton and Cassie— are devoted religious folk, although we see Todd’s weekly sermons are more intimate and soothing than many would expect. However, a series of hiccoughs throw the Burpos for a loop. Todd is stricken with first kidney stones and then a broken leg. The real challenge, however, comes when their son Colton nearly dies, but comes back from surgery with a detailed view of heaven: a view that Todd, despite his devotion, struggles to accept for much of the film.

The film’s strongest asset lies in the paradox it creates. There’s something infinitely more believable about a preacher struggling with accepting his son’s vision than someone irreligious. This becomes even more poignant as we see Todd’s faith is not as rock solid as even he would like to believe. As his son lies in surgery, he curses at God, “now you’re going to take my boy?!,” is relieved when his son makes it, and yet shocked when his son tells him he heard him yelling at God during his surgery. His life becomes harder still when Colton comes up with more details, details Todd finds it harder and harder to dismiss.

What works about this film is that it doesn’t go over-the-top or become too preachy. While this is based on a true story (the real Toddy Burpo published a book of the same title in 2012 about his son’s experience), the film grounds the proceedings in a realistic approach. Kinnear is perfect here; and while he doesn’t resemble real-life Todd that much, his everyman skills and character acting make him a perfect choice. He has been fatherly before, such as the recent “Stuck in Love,” and here he brings earnestness and the necessary disbelief to the role.

Todd asks a question, could my son be right? and is pushed by people in his life. Kelly Reilly (“Flight”), who plays his wife, pushes him to be practical and think of their other children and financial issues, but Todd becomes obsessed with what his son’s story means. And his parishioners are no different—they question his need to bring his son’s story up in church, citing the ‘scary’ nature of God and Satan; of Heaven and Hell. What his son’s story ends up meaning for him is summed up in a sermon at the film’s end that plays more like closing arguments in a courtroom. And while the scene will not be spoiled here, it runs second to a scene between him and a fellow parishioner, as the two discuss loss and God’s love, in what amounts to the most touching scene in the film.

“Heaven is for Real” poses food for thought on faith, though it will appeal mostly to religious-minded viewers. And while it certainly promotes the idea that the Christian’s Jesus and his heaven are real, it doesn’t feel like it’s degrading or dismissing other denominations in the process. The film could have gone deeper, exploring what Colton’s vision meant for his family, but regrettably that story isn’t told here. This is more a movie about a man’s tested faith and the innocence of childhood than it is heavy-handed religious sermon. It flows nicely, has good acting by all involved (especially Connor Corum who plays Colton Burpo), and is shot in bright, majestic colors. If these descriptions appeal to you, give it a try. If not…well, you probably wouldn’t have gotten this far in this review in the first place.