The Five People You Meet In Heaven Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
All ending are beginnings. We just don't know it at the time...
Eddie is the responsible for the maintenance of the Ruby Pier amusement park and a veteran of World War II. While trying to save a five year old girl from an accident with ride that is falling after rupturing the wire, Eddie dies. He awakes in Heaven, and the Blue Man explains him that he will have a journey meeting five people in their heavens that will show the importance of his life before he goes to the next level.
| Jon Voight | Edward 'Eddie' |
| Ellen Burstyn | Ruby |
| Jeff Daniels | Blue Man |
| Dagmara Dominczyk | Marguerite |
| Steven Grayhm | Young Eddie |
| Michael Imperioli | Captain |
| Callum Keith Rennie | Eddie's Father |
| Rebecca Jenkins | Eddie's Mother |
| Callahan Brebner | Boy Eddie |
| Shelbie Weigel | Tala |
| Darcy Cadman | Young Joe |
| Tim O'Halloran | Mickey Shea |
| Zak Santiago | Dominguez |
| Emy Aneke | Willy |
| Lloyd Kramer |
7.30 out of 10 (2181 votes)
Visitor Reviews
All lives are connected, and all vocations are precious in God's eyes.
posted on 30 May 2009It's too bad that we are now in an age of declining literacy - people who can still read but increasingly choose not to take the time or the trouble. The Five People You Meet In Heaven is a novel that I now want to read as soon as possible, after having viewed it on DVD recently.It might be one of the better films I've seen in this new century - or the last - and what a shame that it had to be released as a TV-movie. Unlike Mr. Tyler Berry, who gave this film a poor review after watching it on television, I was able to recently watch it on DVD, w.o. commercials. Perhaps that makes the difference. However, Hollywood also makes a majority of its movies with an idea of 100 minutes viewing time, give or take a few either way. It's tough for people to sit down and watch a film of 2 hrs. or more in length, because they're now conditioned to watch shorter vehicles.I found Jon Voigt's performance tremendously affecting - I wanted to see how he 'did' on his journey through the highs & 'lows' of his life, and couldn't wait to meet each of the next of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." Jeff Daniels was a revelation as the Blue Man. I didn't recognize him at all until I went to IMDb & read the credits.Ellen Burstyn is always worth watching, and you can tell that she - and many of the other actors, most of them 'unknowns' - had extensive stage background. They're not just movie/TV personalities - they've learned their craft.The actress who played Margeurite gave a very poignant performance. I wondered what might happen with Eddie and her after the war.Jon Voight's problems with his father probably resonated with all who have had difficulties with their pater, and I am one of those. The scene in the diner was very effective. Not many words were needed - just the 'picture'.Even more effective was his scene with the young Oriental girl, whose hands help guide him towards the end of his own journey.I would highly recommend The Five People You Meet In Heaven to all who are interested in fine acting, good story-telling, and effective drama.
The best TV film I have seen in quite some time, and an amazing performance from Voight.
posted on 18 May 2009I firmly believe that an original premise is so important to a film, that a good one can almost singlehandedly support it. The brilliant premise of "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" (which is basically told in the title) is supported by a great cast, featuring Jon Voight, Jeff Daniels, and Michael Imperioli. Lloyd Kramer does a surprisingly good job as director, especially considering this is the first time he has broken free of Oprah Winfrey's TV movies.This is one of the few films to basically cover an entire man's life, from start to finish, and might have failed, if not for Voight. He rarely gets adequate showcase for his talent these days, and I hope he tries out more TV roles, which can offer him more.8.6 out of 10
A complete waste of time
posted on 16 May 2009Five better ways to spend your time than watching this film: 1. Picking your nose.2. Shaving your legs.3. Watching damp bread grow mouldy.4. Repeatedly beating yourself on the foot with a stick.5. Visiting Milton Keynes.I really don't understand what other people see in this sentimental, trite, boring film. The acting isn't all that terrible, but the plot plods on with weary predictability. Aphorism is followed by cliché, which in turn is followed by the kind of vague generalism that is meant to sound wise but comes across as sounding stupid in the context of this film. Even the scenery looks fake and superficial. The one point of slight interest is that one of the characters is blue.
Great Movie
posted on 06 Apr 2009It has to be one of the best life affirming movies one can see. If you have thought about renting or purchasing this movie it is a keepsake.Every person he meets he learns about himself. The mistakes he made and the chance to make things right.I don't get emotional about movies but this one pushed the envelope on my emotions.A great movie for families or just about anyone. It is OK for the kids to watch.Buy it for a loved one. They will appreciate it. It will be the movie they will want to share with others.
eh
posted on 23 Dec 2008I have not read the book, so I saw this 'cold', and was not "pre-enchanted".While this might have been faithful to the book, as a movie it doesn't deliver. Our hero (Jon Voight) dies and goes to heaven, where he meets folks he affected or affected him (some in fairly tenuous ways). Although the screenplay was written by the original author, I was unimpressed with it throughout. It might have something to do with the director, though, who seemed to be trying to shoot a soap-opera, what with the swooping-zoom-to-the-face at every commercial break, and generally dull look (yes, I know, its heaven, it doesn't play by the rules, but c'mon...)What with the premise (basically that of "It's a Wonderful Life", but too late to do anything about it), this thing cried out for better dialogue. I guess I'm supposed to get all weepy, feeling empathy for this guy (after all, he hates/loves his father -- don't all guys hate/love their fathers? Sorry Oprah, but it ain't necessarily so), but I didn't. I was hoping for some interesting philosophy about life and death, I didn't hear it. I did feel one bit of empathy for ol' Eddie, though -- he trudged from person to person, and so did I. I just couldn't care about any of them, and eventually, even Eddie wore out his welcome. By the time we got to the big-surprise-little-girl, I was pretty disengaged. By the time we get to the ending-that- is-the-beginning-of-the-ending-of-the-beginning-of-the-ending, I was just glad -- glad that it was over. Anyway, it turns out that what people want when they go to heaven is forgiveness, from pretty much any one available to provide it (it's it a bit too late for that once you're already in heaven anyhow?) Daddy didn't love me/yes he did, I'm a failure/no I'm not, I'm a bad guy/ I'm a good guy. Sobs all around, everyone feels better. yippee. Give this one a pass.... oh yeah, and could the 'battle scenes' have been any lamer?
Only one complaint
posted on 21 Dec 2008A very refreshing film (as I did find the book) that confirms to us uncertain humans that maybe our lives do mean more than we know.Remember that (then) ugly girl you saved from the bullies after school? How about the complete stranger you changed a tire for on the side of that desolate highway 30 years ago? This movie just might leave you wondering late into the night how it all might add up in the next world.My only problem with the film was the over-sweet and dominating presence of Ellen Burstyn's character. Her building and ubiquitous performance led me to believe she might appear in my living room along with Mary Poppins at the end of the show. Aside from that, Jon Voight delivered his utmost, and I was not disappointed.
Well-Done Adaptation
posted on 03 Dec 2008It's about time something like this came along. This is the only adapted screenplay I've seen where Hollywood doesn't supposedly try to "improve" it with the director's own ideas. Mitch Albom is a very smart man. He not only wrote this beautifully done novel, he also wrote the script to ensure Hollywood didn't veer too far off track. I could remember scenes from the book while I was watching the movie and remember imagining what was going on in the book while I was reading it. There were not a lot of differences between what was happening in my head and what was happening on the screen. Mitch changed the order of one or two events in the plot and left an important part of the book out of the movie. But other than that, this turned out to be a very good adaptation. I give it nine out of ten stars.
big disappointment
posted on 23 Nov 2008Great premise of a movie, and Jon Voight was perfect for the part (he was incredible years ago in Runaway Train). However, though this is made for TV, this was incredibly drawn out, poorly edited, and most of all poorly directed. Whoever has the title "eh" was right on (pretty funny title for a summary, too). Here's the deal: This movie had potential to be one of those few tear jerkers even for men, but it got lost in over-sappiness and incredibly poor dialogue by anyone other than Voight. Narrator voice was horrible (as was person #3, obviously), and I felt like she was told the audience would be 5th graders. Actors and actresses were just not believable and boy did they use clichés or what? The ending was atrocious: how can you NOT show the little girl he saved? What in the world? Hello? And the fact that he asked the first 2 people about her but could not ask the 3rd and 4th? Also, it was very disjointed, especially the second half. And the 5th person he met was just a very poor child actress, very bad choice. Movie was way too long, should have been 2 hours. Just a huge disappointment for what could have been one of the greatest TV movies of all time. They had the perfect book to base it on, and they just blew it.
Beautifully Sad
posted on 15 Nov 2008Just finished watching this film and I thought it was one of the better made-for-TV films I've seen in a while. Very touching. Author Mitch Albom (also the film's executive producer) knows how to play with the heartstrings and emotions of his audience throughout. Somewhat cliché-ish (whoa, is that even a word?) at times, but not bad for a sports writer (just kidding Mitch!). I don't think that is a bad thing either if it works. It did for me. The fifth person he meets was the most moving for me personally. Get the Kleenex ready if you cry at sad movies. This one will do it to ya.....more than once. I'd watch it again :)
Loved it!
posted on 07 Nov 2008I have never read the book, nor even heard of the book or this movie before. I saw it on the shelf of a local store selling DVDs last night and the title intrigued me so I bought it. I put the DVD in and began watching it as soon as I got home. It captivated my attention immediately and kept me in my seat the whole time till 12:30am when it finally ended. I caught myself crying several times, mostly near the end. I think everyone can relate to this movie, but I also think that the older you are, the more you will relate to this movie. This movie now goes on my favorite movies list. I will be encouraging my friends to watch it now, it is just that good.
Heartwarming
posted on 30 Oct 2008I read this book two years ago, and it was profound. I loved it then, and the movie was as accurate a portrayal as a movie could have been.The intention behind this story was to leave the viewer (reader) with a deeper sense of worth, of self, and of humility. I believe we are here to bring life into question....and we will leave this life to prepare for the answers.There are no accidents...this movie lifts the veil between a fearful mind, and an eager heart. It will make the humblest of men, Kings.If it does not wake you up inside, or leave you with a greater sense of Connectedness and Oneness...you have missed the message entirely.
Does Life have Value?
posted on 18 Oct 2008Often times, we wonder if our lives count? Did we make a difference in the life of another person?We have a distorted image of ourselves through life. We do things which are, dull, boring, mundane. No value.We interact with people, but there seems no purpose to it. It's all rehearsed. We go through life, make all the motions, and eventually die.We don't see the effect we have on others, only the effect others have on us.The kind word. The smile. Shaking hands. Ordinary.Then some day, the tape of our life is rewound, and our life unfolds on the screen of time.Five people were touched. Transformed. Because one individual made a difference.That's hard for us Humans.Maybe the small things in life, DO MATTER.This film is very existential, yet is is also very down to earth.Jon Voight does a magnificent job.Rated 4.5 stars out of 5.Wayno
how we affect each other even in small ways
posted on 13 Aug 2008I read Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom for a counseling class. I loved the book. Then I saw the Five People you meet in heaven. My husband and 15 yr old watched the movie together. It impacted my 15 yr old. We impact each person we meet even though we may never see them again, we have made an impact in that life. We cried and laughed at the same time. Very touching, I recommend it. I could not understand at first Tala asking him to wash her, but then it did. I also read the book the next day. I noticed that both books are related in the impact we all have with each other. I enjoyed the ending, although I will not reveal it. I though Jon Voight did a great job playing Eddie. Recommend the books and the movies.
Movie reinforces existing beliefs and ideas about significance of relationships
posted on 11 Aug 2008This movie is more like a philosophical commentary than a story. It uses its characters and story in a very pointed way to push the idea that there is more significance in our lives than we will ever realize. Like someone before me said, it's a re-make of "It's Wonderful Life". It really is more than coincidence that all these events happened in one character's life -- it's a book turned into a script. This movie is just as big a fantasy as The Neverending Story; I definitely wouldn't show impressionable children. A movie that teaches people to constantly seek significance, draw false conclusions, and sacrifice themselves for strangers probably shouldn't be a movie to model one's life after. As for the acting: it's pretty camp and impersonal. The characters don't take anytime to depart from the stereotypes -- men are all angry and emotionally suppressed assholes; women are weak and vulnerable; children are innocent, so on and so forth...
worthwhile movie
posted on 06 Jun 2008I usually don't manage to sit through a whole movie after dinner. The ever so frequent commercial breaks and the kids screaming in the background usually is enough for me to turn off lesser movies. I did not in this case (much to my surprise) because I felt there was something special in this movie. Its premise is by no means unique - several movies come to mind eg 'what dreams may come' but it is still refreshing to watch. Clever cinematography to reflect the different decades and a sensible script made this a winner. I might even consider reading the book now! Thought provoking movies like this usually mean different things to different people. Go see what it means to you.
It really makes me think...
posted on 29 May 2008At first,I was hesitant to watch it because of "The Desperate Housewives'. But,I never regretted missing the other show. When the Blue Man said,"You can't talk when you came here,God's way,I suppose. Helps you listen.", I grabbed a pen and a small notebook and took note of it. And, up to the ending of the movie, I try to take notes as much as I can. For me, the lessons he learned on his afterlife is to teach,sacrifice,forgive,love and the beginning of life after death.I'm not much of a movie buff or a film critique. But once a movie "connected" with me, it really is a good for me.
Soundtrack or DVD?
posted on 11 May 2008I had a question about this movie that hopefully someone can help me with. Does anyone know if there is a soundtrack to this movie available or if it's coming out on DVD anytime soon? I LOVED the music and want to get a copy of the movie for my collection. I didn't see anything in the credits about a soundtrack or even who performed all the songs and their titles. If anyone knows anything about the songs, please let me know. I think this would also be a wonderful gift to give. We can always use a good up-lifting movie to help get us through life! I talked to some neighbors this morning and they want to see if the high school can get a copy of the movie and show it to the kids. I think that's an excellent idea!
An okay kinda feeling....
posted on 01 Apr 2008I knew nothing of this film going in, only having read about it in a rental store magazine, it sounded very good. I am not now nor have I ever been a Jon Voight fan and in fact have never understood his acting caliber status but then I haven't seen much of his work. That being said he was excellent in this film.The movie is about an elderly man named Eddie who seems to have lived the average run of the mill and in his opinion boring, good for nothing life. Although he had a brief stint in World War 2 he has spent his entire life living in small town on a pier as the maintenance man for a small theme park on the pier. One of the modern rides suddenly breaks and although everyone on the ride is saved, Eddie sees a little girl under one of the carts right before it falls. He dives to save her and subsequently is killed. He is taken to different variations of heaven where he will be met by 5 people who in some way shape or form influenced his life. Through these people's eyes we learn about Eddie's life, family, friends, and he learns life lessons even in his death after living for many years.The story is heartfelt and without any special effects or overblown budget which makes it very charming and sad and quite a beautiful story. It doesn't have quite the heart I would have hoped for, it just feels like it's missing something. The characters are well acted and as I said, Voight was very, very good. I have never read the book so I had nothing to compare it too. I just thought the film could have used some more emotion, there wasn't enough true emotion behind his feelings about the war which effected his entire life, and seeing his late wife and the love of his life after many years without her. You will enjoy watching it, it's a casual film that probably won't stick with you but it's a decent watch nonetheless.6.5/10...very close to a 7
Amazing
posted on 07 Feb 2008When this book first came out, I heard so many wonderful things about it. The book is fabulous, and I found the movie to be excellent! It was so moving and wonderfully adapted, so visually appealing, and so enthralling.Yesterday, I had read Mitch Albom's column about the making of the movie, how much it surprised him that something he had written (without specific people or a movie experience in mind) could become what it did. This movie is definitely worth seeing and the book is also something you need to read. I will be buying this once it comes to DVD. I haven't been so touched in a movie in a very long time.
I LOVED IT!
posted on 10 Aug 2009This movie was beautifully done. Jon Voight was brilliant! I adore him. The movie would not have been the same with someone else. I do not agree that the movie was a like a soap. In fact, I thought it was quite the opposite. The beginning was brilliant. It captured the audience and kept them. It certainly did me anyway. I hope it comes on again before Christmas and maybe periodically. I haven't read the book, but I think I will now. I think we are on to a possible new series. Each show about somebody else's life, a different life, and what happens to them and their consequences in heaven. I would love it. It wouldn't be another "Touched by an Angel", but along the lines of it. A good feeling show. It may make more people think. Job well done I gave it a 10.