Trustpilot
Like most adaptations of books this film presents a slightly fictionalised version of a true story – that is if you believe Colton Burpo’s story.
Inevitably the story is a little saccharined with a happy ever after ending but it does manage to portray a lot of the anguish and heartache which the family experienced seeing their son nearly die. The key facts of Colton’s visit to heaven are there and well portrayed; meeting his great-grandfather and the unborn sister he couldn’t have known about.The struggle his parents faced trying to come to terms with his experience and whether to publicise it comes through strongly.
This is a high quality film with some strong performances – no more so than from Connor Corum as Colton and Greg Kinnear and Kelly Reilly as his parents. Sometimes when reviewing I find myself drifting away from the film but not this time. It’s strangely gripping, kept me engaged and now I find want to read the book again.