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January 4, 2008
Five People You Meet in Heaven (2004)
Should I see it?
Yes.

Short Review: We’ll need to open a self-help section in the video stores to house this DVD.



Based on the successful novel by Mitch Albom, this film has some big shoes to fill. Albom's works may be smarter and a bit wiser, but they pull from the same sentimental well that Oprah has been guzzling from for years. This piece isn't much different. There's a mind at work here, and there are some kernels of wisdom to be found, but they are covered with a sticky saccharine coating.

This made-for-television movie does do a great job bringing the original piece to life. Like any adaptation the movie suffers from being a derivative work. In most instances, adaptations tend to be dim replications of the original source work. This is somewhat the case here. Taking the film on its own, it is rather well done. It's not a brilliant piece but it is effective.

The story follows Eddie (Jon Voight), a maintenance man who is lingering between Earth and Heaven. He meanders the fringes of the afterlife and confronts the life he has led. Voight is well cast here and provides a respectable yet broken man. Voight is comfortable in his role and brings a common man charisma to Eddie. Supported by solid performances by Dagmara Dominczyk (Kinsey), Jeff Daniels (Dumb & Dumber), and Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), Voight provides an enjoyable and moving performance.

The content of the story, while interesting is certainly is suspect in some areas. Although it deals exclusively with the afterlife, this is hardly a Biblical film and the characters are anything but religious. The script is careful to toe the politically correct line and offend no one with anything that may smack of religious flavor. God and Heaven are gingerly referred to but not delved to with any depth. This keeps the piece from attaining a grander scale of thought. It reminds me of when, during the Christmas season, people insist on saying Happy Holidays no matter what. I'm in the store buying wrapping paper and ornaments for a Christmas tree, the cashier has a cross around her neck and she has to say "Happy Holidays" instead of referring to Christmas directly. Sure, its a small deal but we're ignoring the truth of the matter. This film suffers from the same kind of problem. It wants to talk about the afterlife but it doesn't want to be hindered by any theology. Granted, this isn't a Biblical movie, it's a self-help movie. It doesn't intend to speak about the greater things it intends to provide some hot-air that has whiffs of wisdom thrown in.

While it fails to achieve to reach anything larger, this is still an enjoyable and relatively harmless movie. There are some nice, cozy statements about handing regret and forgiveness and no one will be offended. If you're looking for stronger statements about the afterlife and managing one's time here on Earth, there's a better book on the subject I can recommend.


Related Reviews:
Adaptations
Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)
 Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) (2007)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)


Other Critic's Reviews:
DVD Verdict
eOpinions

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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 6:10 PM




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