Rating: 
Summary: Stunning Visuals, Family Entertainment
Review: There are those who will hate anything and everything about this movie simply because it portrays the central characters,
a Latter-day Saint ("Mormon") missionary, his girlfriend, and the south sea island members of his church the same way any other people of faith would be portrayed in any family film. If you hold those predjudices, nothing as inconsequential as a movie is going to help you grow beyond them. Other people may be put off by some aspects of the storyline, finding it a bit like MAYBURY RFD or PETTICOAT JUNCTION, but one should remember that the story is set in the 1950's, and it remains true to the spirit, if not all of the specific details, of the autobiographical account of a 1950's Idaho boy placed in a south seas island culture, and an island society living much closer to the 1800s than the 2000s, at that. With those two exceptions, most viewers will find that the movie has several tremendous selling-points: Stunning visual images, likeable characters, and a general positive showing of "family values," a.k.a., univerally-accepted virtues such as integrity, determination, compassion, etc. I rate it four stars because, well, it is a comparatively low-budget film, and if they had spent more money they might have been able to afford "Star Wars" special effects, a "Touched by an Angel" soundtrack, and an "Indiana Jones" bounty of props, character-actors, and extras. On the other hand, you and I both know that no big-budget movie company would have ever touched it -- and a very good film would have never been made -- so the fifth star is the price we paid for the four stars we have.
Rating: 
Summary: This Side of Heaven for me.
Review: ... Had I known [this movie] was about a Morman missionary in Tonga I probably would never had gone. Well, somebody up there likes me. I am glad I went.It was a beautiful story but realistic also. Having spent 3 years myself in the mission field in another culture (Alaskan native peoples) I could relate. The film had everything from humor like when the young elder gives his first speech in the language of the people. He confuses the word "Lighthouse" with "Outhouse." The audience both on screen and in the theatre laughed long and loud for that one. Serious moments too like when he prays for the child thought dead - exciting moments on the sea, hurricane, and ordinary times of prayer, fasting, and feasting. Ann Hathaway does a good job as the girl who is left back home - the faithful letter writer of 3 years. I would liked to have seen more of her in the story. The people who played the native islanders were excellent and darn near stole the show. But then it wasn't really a show to be stolen. Just a good story, that's what! However, I rest my promotion and am not ready to convert to the LDS but I did learn more about their courage and love for all of God's people. I respect that and I respect this more than adequate, gentle, and fine telling of a real young man's story.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring Story
Review: I must say this movie was not what I thought it would be, but I was not disapointed. We picked it up because Anne Hathaway was in it and we thought it would be a cute romance our girls would enjoy. Anne Hathaway was barely in the movie, even though she was used heavily to promote it. I kept having to remind myself that it was based on the memoirs of a real person because some of it seemed so fantastical, but anyone with faith in their God can get past that. I was so moved by this story I found myself telling people they needed to watch it. I usually just say " it was good" or whatever. If you have a problem with the fact that the main character is Mormon, then pretend they are Presbyterian or Baptist, etc. Everyone has missionaries!
Rating: 
Summary: Such a waste of time!!!
Review: This is the worst imperialistic arrogant pile of dirt that I've seen in my whole life! I wish there was a minus five(-5) stars grading!!! It could be a documentary about what religion SHOULD NOT be!!!
Rating:
Summary: Not Michener, but an interesting story!
Review: "The Other Side of Heaven" is based on the true story of John H. Groberg's experience as a missionary on the South Pacific island of Tonga. The movie was produced by Academy Award winner Gerald Molen, producer of "Schindler's List" and "Jurassic Park," and released by Excel Entertainment, an outlet for Mormon media, and it's rated "PG." Groberg (Christopher Gorham) was called by the Church for a three-year mission assignment to Tonga when he was a 20-year-old student at Brigham Young University in the 1950's. Before leaving he makes a vague pact with his girlfriend, Jean, (Ann Hathaway). A difficult seven week journey takes him to the South Pacific, where he meets his native Christian assistant and companion, Feki, (Joe Falou), and they finally arrive at the remote island of Niuatoputapu. Groberg has been instructed to do two things: learn the language and build the "kingdom." Initially treated with scorn by the natives, he sets about to learn the language by reading the bible in English and in Polynesian. After four days he has mastered the language, and begins to win the respect of the natives. From here on, it's a series of incidents, each of which is a sort of independent story: he resuscitates a seriously injured child; sleeping with his feet exposed leads to rats nibbling on the soles of his feet, requiring weeks of treatment to "seal" his feet; a boat trip with two natives nearly drowns them all when the boat is capsized by a storm; a severe storm destroys the island food supply, and everyone nearly starves to death. The young native women are fascinated with Groberg, and one in particular offers herself---but Groberg is not tempted. He is finally taken to task by the girl's mother for rejecting the daughter, but Groberg explains his moral view and his commitment to his true love in the U.S. His experiences and his feelings are also conveyed through a series of letters to Jean, his fantasies about her, and her letters to him. They ultimately marry, in the movie and in real life, and return many times for mission work in the South Pacific. There is lavish cinematography of the spectacularly beautiful islands and beaches, as Groberg grows to love both the people and the places. The storm special effects are very well done. It is a thoroughly enjoyable story, made even more interesting by the knowledge that it is basically true. The movie can be criticized for it's single-minded perspective on the role of the missionary, and there is little insight into the indigenous culture of the natives. But it's very entertaining, and it's staggering to think of the hardships missionaries have endured to bring the benefits of our civilization to these far-flung places (a mixed blessing, some will say). The story is told without proselytizing. Theology and faith are important underlying ingredients but are not emphasized at all. It's pure story telling, with no F words, little or no violence, a love story with no gratuitous sex. I recommend it if you can enjoy an uplifting story, absent those typically R-rated elements.
Rating:
Summary: Insightful sympathetic tale of missionary living
Review: The Other Side of Heaven is a sweet, yet realistic tale of a young missionary sent with few resources to bring his religion to a remote land. He battles natural elements, struggles with being away from his school sweetheart, learns another language without formal training, struggles with other religious leaders who distrust him, and, most hilariously, he wins over a paper-pushing bureaucrat from his own faith tradition. Perhaps the most powerful element of the story is that a barely twenty-year-old caucasion male from Idaho who goes to a foreign land to bring Western religion could be portrayed sympathetically by Hollywood. I also spent several years overseas doing religious work. Although I am not Mormon, and my experiences were not a dramatic is the young man's in this movie, there were many similarities. It was gratifying to see such a positive and realistic story being brought to the big screen. Bottom-line: This is a great movie--suitable for viewing by upper-elementary school children and older. It is an excellent conversation piece on many levels: multiculturalism, the validity of mission type projects, and, of course, religion itself. Great stuff!
Rating:
Summary: Stunning Visuals, Family Entertainment
Review: There are those who will hate anything and everything about this movie simply because it portrays the central characters,
a Latter-day Saint ("Mormon") missionary, his girlfriend, and the south sea island members of his church the same way any other people of faith would be portrayed in any family film. If you hold those predjudices, nothing as inconsequential as a movie is going to help you grow beyond them. Other people may be put off by some aspects of the storyline, finding it a bit like MAYBURY RFD or PETTICOAT JUNCTION, but one should remember that the story is set in the 1950's, and it remains true to the spirit, if not all of the specific details, of the autobiographical account of a 1950's Idaho boy placed in a south seas island culture, and an island society living much closer to the 1800s than the 2000s, at that. With those two exceptions, most viewers will find that the movie has several tremendous selling-points: Stunning visual images, likeable characters, and a general positive showing of "family values," a.k.a., univerally-accepted virtues such as integrity, determination, compassion, etc. I rate it four stars because, well, it is a comparatively low-budget film, and if they had spent more money they might have been able to afford "Star Wars" special effects, a "Touched by an Angel" soundtrack, and an "Indiana Jones" bounty of props, character-actors, and extras. On the other hand, you and I both know that no big-budget movie company would have ever touched it -- and a very good film would have never been made -- so the fifth star is the price we paid for the four stars we have.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Movie!
Review: There was only one copy of this title at the video store and although my kids rolled their eyes at the cover, I decided it could be a good educational movie. We were pleasantly surprised at what a great story unfolded before us. It was exciting and dramatic and meaningful. To really enjoy this film, it does not matter whether you accept the Mormon faith; the church doctrine is not presented as a main component of the story. It is the dedication of the young man and his experience on the island that is so inspiring. The kind of discipline and faith he has can be applauded regardless of his religion. I was very impressed with this movie, have suggested it to many of my Christian friends and highly recommend it for family viewing with children 13 or older.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Setting... Story keeps you interested
Review: This is the story of a young Mormon missionary who goes to Tonga for 2 1/2 years and lives and works with the people on a remote island. It shows him struggling against nature - from mosquitos to hurricanes to storms at sea. These add a lot of drama to the story. He also struggles with himself and his faith and you see him grow and develop from somewhat stiff and self-conscious to warm and open and serving. The story does well to show these struggles without casting him as an idiot who eventually "learns better". It also shows the Tongan natives with respect and warmth. Although their language and culture are different from the young missionary's, they are loving and minister to him as he reaches out to them. The initial resistance from the established minister on the island is resolved with respect as well. There are a few parts that might have been improved. Does this poor guy really have to wear a tie every day in this tropical location? And when the native men get baptized by him, what does it mean that they are then wearing white dress shirts and ties as well? Is the implication that only Western office attire is "righteous"? Other than wardrobe, though, the film does seem to show respect for the Tongan natives. It also gives a glimpse of some of the crises they may face. Devastation by hurricanes, being cut off from communication and food supplies, lack of medical services, being exploited by Westerners (who entice some of the young women to leave with them - clearly intending to sell them into prostitution), as well as the seemingly universal problems of alcoholism and family conflict, etc.
Rating:
Summary: "Spiffy Movie!"
Review: Wow! The Other side of Hevan is great! When John Groberg (Christopher Gorham) goes to Tonga on an important misson. He falls in love with a girl, (Anne Hathaway) and then they have to seperate because he has to go to Tonga. Disney and Buena Vista did a great Job!!!! I would sugest no kids under 9 or even ten should see this. instead of PG it should be PG-13. But i think you'll love it! The culture is so different from the United States!! (*****)
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