Beyond the Heavens

I enjoyed this film. The story centers on a boy who begins to question many things in his life and family and whether God exists. The theme is universal in that nearly all childhood beliefs are shattered at some point either through real proof or circumstances that seem to disprove one belief or another.

There are several sub-plots utilized to flesh out the characters, many of whom either show no evidence of a belief in God, even some that attend church, or a belief without a practice of God's love. But they do believe in celebrating a strange occurrence that occurred in the small town in the recent past.

The acting is strong from several participants and the story moves along at a swift pace. The outcome demonstrates that intelligence and a mind for the sciences does not have to exist at the exclusion of faith in the unseen and difficult to prove.

As someone who doesn't believe in God but is very sympathetic to religious viewpoints, I like to watch Christian films to gain perspectives I wouldn't normally encounter. Unfortunately, this film antagonizes science and agnosticism in such a way that it feels alienating if you don't share the same perspective as the filmmakers. I know a lot of religious people view doubt as an intrinsic part of growing up, but Oliver's questioning of God and science are portrayed as an ominous slide towards hell, and the forces that influence his final reconciliation with one side feel weak and unexplained. In the end, it felt like a hollow examination of a very deep subject.

As a believer I enjoyed this movie! It's about faith and believing, and by the way angels do exist. Just read Hebrews and other parts of the Bible.

Very intriguing movie. Not at all the same movie we have all seen a hundred times before. The story rolls out slowly and kept me very interested. Enjoyed the characters very much.