The Other Side of Heaven Movie Review 2002

Well-meaning if heavy-handed bio-drama based on Groberg's memoir "In the Eye of the Storm." John Groberg (Gorham) is a Mormon college student at Brigham Young University in 1953, who's pining for Jean (Hathaway), the girl of his dreams. Then he receives his missionary assignment--to Tonga in the South Seas. Groberg has to struggle with native culture, the language barrier, and various hardships and natural disasters before he can accomplish his goals. Film's sincere although you never get much of an idea of how Groberg feels about all that befalls him except for his enduring faith. Picture was filmed in the Cook Islands.

Distribution

Not Yet Released

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 113 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Period Piece: 1950s, Religion, Missionaries, Island Fare, Adapted from Memoirs or Diaries, Mormons

Screenplay

Mitch Davis

Cast

Christopher Gorham, Anne Hathaway, Joe Folau, Miriama Smith, Nathaniel Lees, Whetu Fala

Cinematography

Brian J. Breheny

Director

Mitch Davis

Music

Kevin Kiner

Other

Steve Ramirez, Rick Kofoed

Producer

Gerald R. Molen, John Garbett, 3Mark Entertainment, Excel Entertainment Group