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Christopher Gorham, Anne Hathaway, Joe Folan, Miriama Smith, Nathaniel Lees ... see more see more... , Whetu Fala , Alvin Fitisemanu , Peter Brown , April McKinley , Apii McKinley , Joe Folau , John Sumner , Peter Sa'ena Brown

A young man from Idaho finds himself in a beautiful but dangerous land in the South Pacific as he follows his faith and tries to spread it to others in this adventure-drama, based on a true story. In ... read more read more...1953, John Groberg (Christopher Gorham) is a 19-year-old student at Brigham Young University, whose greatest adventure in life had been to leave home to go to school in Utah. That all changes when Groberg accepts a missionary assignment in the Tonga Islands near Fiji; Groberg is instructed to "build a kingdom" and educate the natives about the Mormon faith, even though he knows little of their customs and nothing of their language. Leaving behind his sweetheart, Jean Sabin (Anne Hathaway), Groberg arrives in Tonga and is quickly immersed in the native culture, and strives to teach the Tongans about the teachings of the Latter-Day Saints while trying to respect their cultural traditions and face the joys and struggles of primitive life in the South Pacific alongside them. Groberg makes a valuable ally in Feki (Joe Folau), a Tongan who becomes an avid follower of the Mormon faith, but he also finds his loyalty to Jean (with whom he's been maintaining a long-distance relationship through cards and letters) tested when a native girl makes her attraction to him quite clear. Based on the real John Groberg's memoir In the Eye of the Storm, The Other Side of Heaven was produced by Jerry Molen, Academy Award winning producer of Schindler's List and Jurassic Park; it also marked the directorial debut of screenwriter Mitch Davis. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

9,712 ratings

Critics

29% liked it

42 critics

PG, 1 hr. 53 min.

Directed by: Mitch Davis

Release Date: December 14, 2001

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DVD Release Date: April 1, 2003

Stats: 544 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (544)

  • dreamfaeries
    October 31, 2009
    dreamfaeries
    What a great "story". It is quite remarkable how much down played the letters that John wrote home were. He was going through these huge dramas and yet it was so basic in the letters. Very admirable...
  • puffchunk
    October 25, 2007
    puffchunk
    Neat. I like Tonga.
  • crazydannielle16
    August 7, 2007
    crazydannielle16
    I have a few complaints about the choices made on the storyboard, but it's a REALLY good movie.
  • adfill7
    July 4, 2006
    adfill7
    I thought it was okay. It bored me.
  • ileo
    December 26, 2007
    ileo
    A personal favorite.
  • mistachy
    November 10, 2010
    mistachy
    This movie was excellent. The Other Side of Heaven was captivating from the start. It is full of love and one of the most emotionally inspiring tearjerkers I've ever seen. A young missionary is called to go on a to Tonga to start a Kingdom of God to a people who have never heard ... read moreof such. It's a heartwarming exciting journey that it would be a shame to miss. I highly recommend viewing this movie.
  • moviegirl50
    January 16, 2010
    moviegirl50
    I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this based on a true story movie about a young Mormon who goes on a 2 1/2 year mission to Tonga. John, played extremely well by Christopher Gorham, comes up against many trials and gives his all in service to God and the people on the little... read more island. A very interesting peek into the brave mission of this young man. Back home waits his true love played by Anne Hathaway- most of her parts in the movie were her reading the letters she sent to John on the island. I recommend this movie!
  • shaekaye101
    May 5, 2008
    shaekaye101
    this movie was cute, i loved how it was based on actual evens was really cool!! and living near his hometown makes this even cooler!!
  • godsgurl8778
    July 31, 2007
    godsgurl8778
    It was really good! There was a part or two that were just disgusting... But the message was great. I really enjoyed this movie.
  • duncandonuts92
    July 26, 2007
    duncandonuts92
    I love this movie! It is SO good! Based on actual events, and a true story. I recommend this to anyone!

View All The Other Side Of Heaven Reviews

Critic Reviews

Robert K. Elder
July 20, 2002
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune

Captures a breathtaking exotic landscape cluttered only by the smugness of its characters. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
April 12, 2002
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Your stomach for Heaven depends largely on your appetite for canned corn.

Edward Guthmann
April 12, 2002
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Handsome and sincere but slightly awkward in its combination of entertainment and evangelical boosterism. Full Review

Jay Boyar
April 12, 2002
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

The film's implicit premise is that the faith of the Tonga people is in every way inferior to that of John.

Lou Lumenick
April 12, 2002
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Obstacles are too easily overcome and there isn't much in the way of character development in the script.

Kirk Honeycutt
April 12, 2002
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

The central story lacks punch.

Stephen Holden
April 12, 2002
Stephen Holden, New York Times

The movie's vision of a white American zealously spreading a Puritanical brand of Christianity to South Seas islanders is one only a true believer could relish. Full Review

Al Brumley
April 11, 2002
Al Brumley, Dallas Morning News

There's a disturbing 'Great White Hope' undertone to The Other Side of Heaven that subtly undermines its message of Christian love and compassion. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
April 11, 2002
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

It is inspirational in characterizing how people from such diverse cultures share the same human and spiritual needs.

Ed Park
April 9, 2002
Ed Park, Village Voice

Perhaps even the SLC high command found writer-director Mitch Davis's wall of kitsch hard going. Full Review

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The Other Side Of Heaven Trivia

  • This girl wrote in her Diaries as a Princess, wore Prada, was Enchanted and went to The Other Side of Heaven. Who is she?  Answer »
  • Which movie stars Anne Hathaway as the girlfriend of a man who crosses the ocean to become a Mormon missionary in the Tongan islands?  Answer »
  • Which book is the movie "The Other Side of Heaven" based on?  Answer »
  • Who am I?? I've stared in: The Other Side Of Heaven Becoming Jane Given my voice to: Hoodwinked! Am going to be in: Get Smart  Answer »
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