Heaven Is for Real Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A kid gets a tummy ache, visits the big man upstairs, and suddenly everyone wants to cash in on his divine tourism.

🍿 Heaven Is for Real: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Burpo Family’s Struggles

The movie introduces Todd Burpo, a pastor in a small town, juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet. His wife, Sonja, supports him while managing their family. They face financial difficulties and Todd suffers a leg injury, adding to their challenges. This sets the stage for the central event that will test their faith and community.

Colton’s Near-Death Experience

During a family trip, their young son Colton becomes gravely ill due to a ruptured appendix. He undergoes emergency surgery, and his parents fear for his life. Miraculously, Colton survives, but soon starts recounting details of a visit to Heaven while he was on the operating table. These accounts challenge Todd’s understanding of faith and reality.

Revelations from Heaven

Colton shares specific details about Heaven, including meeting Jesus, seeing his deceased grandfather, and encountering a sister who died in utero, none of which he could have known beforehand. These revelations begin to shake Todd’s beliefs and create conflict within his church community, as some members doubt the validity of Colton’s claims. Sonja struggles with the balance between faith and the practical realities of their life.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Todd Burpo (Greg Kinnear): A small-town pastor and struggling entrepreneur who grapples with his son’s claims of visiting Heaven.
• Sonja Burpo (Kelly Reilly): Todd’s supportive yet pragmatic wife who initially struggles to believe her son’s story amidst their financial hardships.
• Colton Burpo (Connor Corum): The young boy who claims to have visited Heaven during a near-death experience, sparking both wonder and controversy.
• Jay Wilkins (Thomas Haden Church): Todd’s best friend and a local banker who offers financial support and serves as a sounding board.
• Nancy Rawling (Margo Martindale): A church board member who is initially skeptical of Colton’s story and concerned about its impact on the church.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Todd Burpo: “Is heaven a hope? Or as real as the earth and sky?” – Todd ponders the question of Heaven’s reality at the beginning and end of the movie, framing the central theme.
• Colton Burpo: “Jesus told me to tell you that you’re going to be okay. Don’t worry.” – Colton shares a comforting message from Jesus to a terminally ill child in the hospital, demonstrating empathy and faith.
• Colton Burpo: “Nobody is old in Heaven.” – Colton explains how he recognized his deceased grandfather in Heaven, emphasizing the timeless nature of the afterlife.
• Todd Burpo: “I believe my son went to Heaven.” – Todd delivers this statement in his sermon, solidifying his belief and sharing it with his congregation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $91,443,253
• Worldwide Gross: $101,982,712

💥 Heaven Is for Real Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie with an open mind, honestly. While I’m not deeply religious, the idea of a child’s innocent perspective on heaven intrigued me. The film definitely tugged at my heartstrings, especially during Colton’s descriptions of his experience. It made me think about my own beliefs and what I hope is waiting for us. However, some of the dialogue felt a bit preachy, and I wish they’d explored the skepticism more deeply. It was worth a watch for the emotional impact alone.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families looking for uplifting stories”
  • “Viewers interested in faith-based films”
  • “People who enjoy dramas based on true stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of illness and near-death experiences”
  • “Religious themes and discussions of faith”
  • “Some emotional scenes related to grief and loss”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert.com: “While competently acted, ‘Heaven Is for Real’ feels strangely subdued. The film presents the story with a minimum of cinematic flair, relying on the inherent drama of the situation to carry it. It ultimately lacks a distinctive voice, leaving the audience to decide what to believe without much guidance.
• Variety: “Though sincere, ‘Heaven Is for Real’ struggles to transcend its source material’s inherent limitations. The film feels more like a sermon than a compelling narrative, preaching to the choir rather than engaging in a meaningful dialogue. The child actor is cute, but the heavenly visions feel contrived and uninspired.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were deeply touched by the child actor’s portrayal of Colton and his descriptions of Heaven.: Many praised the film for its positive message of hope and faith in the face of adversity.

Overall Consensus: While heartwarming and inspirational for some, others found the film to be overly sentimental and lacking in depth.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie is based on the true story of Colton Burpo, as told in the book of the same name, co-authored by his father, Todd Burpo.”
• “Akiane Kramarik, the Lithuanian painting girl, is a real-life artist who claims to have experienced an NDE and met Jesus in heaven. Her painting, ‘Prince of Peace,’ is featured in the movie and is said to resemble Colton’s description of Jesus.”
• “The film was shot in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, chosen for its resemblance to the small-town setting of Imperial, Nebraska.”

🖥️ How to Watch Heaven Is for Real?

Heaven Is for Real is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where it’s available for rent or purchase. Check local listings for television broadcasts, and explore options for buying the DVD or Blu-ray for physical copies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Heaven Is for Real, you might like these similar films:

• Miracles from Heaven (2016): Shares a similar theme of a young child experiencing a medical miracle and having a profound spiritual experience.
• The Shack (2017): Also explores faith, loss, and spiritual healing through a man’s encounter with God after a personal tragedy.
• Soul (2020): Explores the concept of the afterlife and the journey of the soul in a more abstract and metaphorical way, appealing to audiences open to spiritual themes.
• What Dreams May Come (1998): Visually stunning depiction of the afterlife, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for redemption, appealing to viewers interested in a more artistic interpretation of heaven.

🛒 Heaven Is for Real Related Products

• Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back: The book that started it all, recounting Colton Burpo’s incredible story in detail. Dive deeper into his experiences and the family’s journey.
• Heaven Is for Real Movie Poster: The official movie poster, perfect for decorating a bedroom or living room. An ideal piece of memorabilia for fans of the film

🎧 Soundtrack

Heaven Is for Real features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

COLTON BURPO’S VISIT TO HEAVEN (UPDATE)

Ever wondered what the real Colton Burpo thinks about his experience in heaven? This video dives deep into his story, and honestly, hearing it from him makes you think differently about the movie.

David Platt: “Heaven is for Real” isn’t.

Okay, so you’ve seen the movie, but what if it’s not *all* true? This video breaks down some of the issues with the story, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you want a different angle.

Is Heaven Is For Real for Real?

Was ‘Heaven Is For Real’ *really* for real? This video digs into the facts (or lack thereof) behind the story and makes you question everything. It’s a wild ride!

✨ Rate