Heaven Is for Real possesses a feature rare to find in religious cinema; subtlety. Perhaps not as subtle when comparing to your average movie, but certainly more so than the majority of religious films I've seen. Another religious rarity found in the film is it’s open-mindedness towards others' beliefs. I cannot stress enough how significant these two factors are when making a good religious film, yet how seldom they’re actually used. Heaven Is for Real does however utilize both aspects; creating a surprisingly efficient film that both religious and non-religious viewers can enjoy.
Based on true events, Heaven Is for Real follows the story of small-town Christian pastor Todd Burpo (Greg Kinnear), his family and his son Colton (Connor Corum). Todd is a very loving man whose attention-grabbing sermons help his church stay afloat, yet his generosity and acceptance of others repaying debts without cash has brought his family to the edge of bankruptcy. To make matters worse, Todd’s son Colton is brought to the hospital for emergency surgery after rupturing his appendix; an event that badly unsettles Todd’s religious faith. Colton miraculously survives his surgery however, and states that while being operated on experienced a series of incredibly unexplainable events; such as seeing his father’s religious breakdown despite no one knowing about it and even visiting Heaven itself. There, Colton claims to have met deceased family members, glowing angels and even Jesus Christ riding a rainbow colored horse. The Burpo family is confused over Colton's descriptions and Todd becomes conflicted over whether to believe his son’s experiences or allow his shaken faith to doubt such an occurrence.
Subtlety is key when desiring to make a film both religious and respectable to the majority of viewers. It cannot be expected that the viewing audience are faithfully of your film’s religion (however likely that is); there needs to be tact employed when dealing with concepts such as God and Heaven. If the film presents its faith in an overbearing manner, even those of alike religious background may find themselves repelled. Heaven Is for Real takes the concept one step farther by being subtle with both its Christian faith and followers.
Allow me to give an example; after hearing Colton's unexplainable depictions of Heaven, Todd goes to visit a psychologist (Nancy Sorel) to discuss said visions. Well as it turns out, the psychologist he visits turns out to be an atheist; “will that be an issue with you?” she politely asks Todd. In a lesser religious film her belief would be a problem; the psychologist might even be presented as some kind of nasty antagonist. “No, not at all” Todd surprisingly answers, “in fact you might be able to help me more; since you’ll be looking from a medical standpoint.” The scene shows Todd deny two religious clichés by not only courteously acknowledging her belief, but also seeing an advantage in consulting a non-religious viewpoint. The psychologist also breaks cliché by neither being villainous nor disgusted towards Todd or his Christian religion. Though their views differ considerably, both adults never escalate beyond critical discussion of their beliefs; remaining polite and courteous throughout their conversation.
Near the film’s end, we see the psychologist seated at one of Todd’s church sermons. If the film was poorly made, this would be the scene where she goes up to Todd and proudly proclaims how he was right all along and that she now sees the light and has become a true Christian and blah, blah, blah! Instead Heaven Is for Real presents the scene more subtly; with all that’s shown being nothing more than a quick shot of the psychologist sitting in the pews. Now here’s how the scene is far more effective than the poorly made version: there’s still a possibility that she’s there due to a change in heart about religion. However, it was stated earlier in the film that her late-husband was a faithful admirer of Todd’s sermons; consistently urging her to go view one. This seemingly normal shot is in fact quite brilliant as it allows its audience to choose whether the psychologist was converted to Christianity or simply fulfilling her late-husband’s request. The scene thereby appeals to its entire audience, rather than merely the religiously overzealous; a truly rare and impressive sight for a film about faith.
The film is also quite open with its religious discussion; not simply with other beliefs, but also with its own Christian philosophy. During one scene Todd is called into a church board meeting to discuss all the publicity surrounding Colton’s experience. Similar to the psychologist discussion, the church board members are not presented as antagonists with narrow minded outlooks, but instead individuals worried about the Church’s direction; offering valid points over their concern. One member, Nancy (Margo Martindale), expresses her extreme discomfort over Colton’s experience; wishing for Todd to no longer discuss it during his sermons. The film could have simply labeled Nancy a jerk who’s intolerant towards religious miracles, but instead has Todd ask her the obvious question of why she feels so; following with an open discussion over her viewpoint.
Nancy clarifies her view by pointing out how in the past, the Church used the concepts of Heaven and Hell to scare people into believing; viewing Todd’s preaching about his son’s experience to be a revival of such fear tactics. Nancy’s opinion is a valid point to bring up, which Todd openly acknowledges. He admits to his own struggle with Colton’s experience; explaining that he brings it up not to preach, but to discuss so as to hopefully obtain a better understanding. There discussion is later brought to a conclusion when both accidentally meet at the gravesite of Nancy’s son, who was killed in action while serving in the military. Despite such scenes usually being set up for an over-exaggerated tear jerker, it remains surprisingly tranquil for both the characters and its viewers. Heaven Is for Real creates a very believable environment where both characters openly discuss their sons in a scene that’s subtle, serene, and bittersweet.
But maybe the points I’m making seem quite ordinary for a film; perhaps you’re thinking: so what, of course a film should contain these characteristics…and you’d be correct. Yet it must be understood how notable these aspects are for a religious film. Concepts such as open-mindedness towards other beliefs, subtlety in preaching, religious figures struggling with faith and religious philosophy are all remarkably rare in religious films that instead focus primarily on preaching their beliefs across. Heaven Is for Real utilizes these concepts and therefore becomes a good film anyone can enjoy. Yet here’s the kicker; Heaven Is for Real still succeeds in preaching its message across, yet in a way that doesn't repel everyone but devoted Christians. By remaining open-minded while preaching in a subtle way, Heaven Is for Real accomplishes more for its faith than a good majority of over-zealously religious films. Hopefully others wishing to make a religious film will take heed and follow Heaven Is for Real’s wise and effective choices.
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