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"HEAVEN IS FOR REAL"
(2014) (Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly) (PG)


Alcohol/Drugs None
Blood/Gross Stuff Moderate
Disrespectful/Bad Attitude Moderate
Frightening/Tense Scenes Moderate
Gun/Weapons Minor
Imitative Behavior Moderate
Jump Scenes Minor
Music (Scary/Tense) None
Music (Inappropriate) None
Profanity None
Sex/Nudity Moderate
Smoking None
Tense Family Scenes Extreme
Topics to Talk About Heavy
Violence Mild


QUICK TAKE:
Drama: A small-town pastor must contend with the ramifications of his 4-year-old son stating he went to Heaven during emergency surgery.
PLOT:
In the small town of Imperial, Nebraska, Todd Burpo (GREG KINNEAR) is a busy man. Not only is he raising young kids Cassie (LANE STYLES) and Colton (CONNOR CORUM) with his wife, Sonja (KELLY REILLY), but he's also the school's wrestling coach, works as a volunteer fireman, runs his own garage door repair business and just so happens to be the local church's pastor. Up until now, the church members -- including bank president Jay Wilkins (THOMAS HADEN CHURCH) and Nancy Rawling (MARGO MARTINDALE) who lost her 19-year-old son in military action -- have been happy with Todd's leadership.

Accordingly, they don't mind that he misses time after breaking his leg while playing softball or when 4-year-old Colton's emergency appendectomy and recovery keep Todd away from the church. They do become concerned, however, when Todd's faith is noticeably shaken when Colton announces that he went to Heaven and met Jesus during his surgery. Todd and Sonja try to dismiss that as just the active imagination of a young boy, but when he starts commenting on things he'd otherwise not know about, Todd wonders if his boy really did.

Things become more complicated when word gets out about Colton's claims, and the church's board of directors -- that includes Jay and Nancy among a few others -- becomes concerned about that turning into a growing distraction. With mounting medical and other bills putting additional strain on Todd, the pastor tries to make sense of what's occurred and what it all means to him, his family and their faith.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?
Those interested in the faith-based story might want to. Otherwise, it doesn't seem like it will be a big draw.
WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG
For thematic material including some medical situations.


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