The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2004)

Must See!

I really enjoyed this movie... reminds you that everything you do, good or bad affects others. That everything matters. If people understand what this movie is trying to say, it will effect a change in society. Watch it and try to prove me wrong! June 26, 2008

Five People You Meet In Heaven

This is definitely a "feel good" movie in the tradition of "It's A Wonderful Life" except Eddie is dead. He thinks he achieved nothing and amounted to nothing in his life. Without spoiling the movie, he is shown a different perspective. June 18, 2008

Awesome Service

Thanks for your business. I will definally do this again. I saw the movie for the first time. I loved the book and I loved the movie. June 13, 2008

Surprisingly good.

Seeing as how this was one of those dreaded "Hallmark movies", I have to admit that I had some trepidation about watching this. That and with the concept, I was a bit worried this might be some nauseating crap like "Touched by an Angel". However, because there were so many great actors involved, I decided to give it a chance, and that decision was definitely the right one.

Jon Voight plays Eddie, an old man who's been working as a maintenance man at a carnival for over 60 years. One day, on his 83rd birthday, he is killed attempting to save a little girl in a tragic accident. He soon finds himself in heaven, where he is visited by five different people from his past. Up to this point, Eddie felt that his life was wasted, like he'd never done anything terribly important. However, each person tells him a story from their past, and explains to him how knowing him made a positive difference in their life. With each visit, Eddie begins to develop a new appreciation for his life, and how his actions affected those around him.

This movie benefits most from the stellar cast. Jeff Daniels, Ellen Burstyn, and Michael Imperioli all have great supporting roles, and we also have great performances from numerous obscure Canadian actors, like Rebecca Jenkins, Elias Toufexis, and Callum Keith Rennie. You may not recognize those names, but trust me, these are talented folks (especially Rennie, who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors). And we can't forget Steven Graym, who is excellent as Voight's younger counterpart.

But of course Jon Voight is the one who really stands out the most. He is a living legend, and here he once again proves why. To be honest, this movie does kind of pour on the schmaltz a little bit, but the great acting helps to make it all more sincere, and Voight's incredibly powerful performance is certainly no small part of that. The "diner scene" with him and Rennie is just...wow. Anyone interested in acting should study this scene to learn how to suck less.

Another thing I really liked about this movie is that despite the subject matter, it never gets particularly preachy. In fact, there's barely any religious implications here at all. Eddie was never a devout christian in his life, and his father was even farther from it, but they still both make it to heaven based purely upon the merits of their actions in life. Now, I have no idea if heaven really exists or not, but if it did, I think that is exactly the way it should work.

Anyway, this turned out to be a pretty good movie, with great acting and an interesting story. Even if was just a "movie of the week", it definitely surpassed my expectations. Check it out. June 10, 2008

Everybody should see this movie!

We all wonder what happens after we die, so this is one of many movies that strives to answer that question. How does it do this? The name says it all:

We meet five people in heaven.

Who these five people are, no one knows, but the film's message is clear in that it will be people who had a strong impact on your life (whether you consciously realized it or not). The main character becomes enmeshed in the hard lessons of the seemingly random individuals he meets after his death, and don't be surprised if some or all of these lessons hit a little too close-to-home.

Even if they don't have a lasting impression on you, you will undoubtedly
be swept away by the gripping emotional memories, heart-warming
spiritual lessons, and the hidden meanings of a "wasted" life.

Chris Cade
[...] May 29, 2008

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