Conversando com Deus

I saw a preview of this movie on Oct 22nd and very much enjoyed it.

Except for the main character's fake beard which I also found distracting (see someone else's post on this), this was a good, thought-provoking film. The overall theme should resonate with people who feel there's more to our existence and for that matter, what God is, than what we've been taught to believe in church. Probably not a movie for the extreme religious zealots out there or atheists either.

But, this is not some sort of exploitative, religious flick. You won't be hit over the head with a holier-than-thou guilt trip. And I'm not sure this or any other movie can change anyone's life either, as some may suggest. It is inspirational, though.

I've never read the books, but the author truly believes what happened to him and the movie simply chronicles his story. This sort of movie is a good way of sharing such a story with lots of others and hopefully this one was not produced just to pocket more profits.

I hope it is well-received and stays at the theaters for a long run.

(please keep in mind that my vote pertains to the dramatic presentation of the movie, and not my feelings about the book)

I was lucky to see a sneak preview of this movie in Kansas City. It's based off of the books by Neale Donald Walsch about a different way of looking at life, god, love, and religion. It was professionally produced by Stephen Simon, the same man who produced Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, What Dreams May Come, and a few others about which I was less familiar. There were probably five-hundred people there at the sneak preview - I was impressed.

Good Movie! The acting and production were all well-done. The presentation of a spirituality inspired by an experience Neale had after some real down points in his life (including being homeless for about a year) was engaging and succinct, yet not too pushy (gentleness being at the core of his beliefs anyway).

I say see it. If you disagree on a religious/spiritual level, then at least it will be a way for you to confirm the beliefs you hold and why you hold them. If you find something to agree with in the movie, then perhaps it has something for you and perhaps the books (Conversations with God, Communion with God, Home with God - etc) will be a helpful tool for you. They were for me.

And finally, after the movie both Neale Walsch and Stephen Simon spoke. Both were very kind and fielded questions from the audience. Their only request was that when the movie opens on a National Level (and it will here in the next few weeks I believe), that anyone inspired or affected by the films/books do their best to inform their friends and neighbors, enemies and strangers to see the movie, and send a message in the only media Hollywood understands, the message of money, stating clearly that we as a people are tired of being fed the same formula of Sex, Violence, Fear, and Hate and wish to be shown more films about the importance of compassion and love.

Thanks for reading.

What an uplifting and life changing film. If you are tired of typical Hollywood movies (fear and violence)and want to watch something meaningful and uplifting. Then this movie is a must see. The acting was great. The writing fantastic. You will walk out of the theater feeling better about yourself and humanity. You will feel capable of accomplishing your every dream. Bring the family. Bring anyone you want to feel better about themselves and other people. This movie is quite simply amazing. In the screening I went to the film received a standing ovation. Here is an opportunity to understand the true wisdom and love of God.

For the millions of readers of Neale Donald Walsch's superb trilogy, "Conversations with God" and his sequel, "Tomorrow's God," this film might have special meaning.

It chronicles in dramatic form, highlights from Author Walsch's rise from a struggling wannabe to a best-selling writer.

I've no idea how much of this is fact and how much dramatic license that Scriptor Eric DelaBarre took in fashioning his screenplay. However, I'm sure that structurally he spent too much time with Neale's rags and not enough with the transition to riches.

For over an hour our hero struggles bitterly, becoming an outcast homeless person. Then rather abruptly he's getting his writing inspiration and turning into a great success. This imbalance is probably because Eric saw the poverty part as more dramatic and emotion-driven.

Still, for those unfamiliar with Walsch and his writings, the movie may come off as not too interesting. Only when one is familiar with the writing product (for myself, the books should be included in "Great Books of the Western World" Series) that the bio takes on special meaning.

Fortunately, fine Canadian actor Henry Czerny is cast in the lead role. (Who can forget his mesmerizing performance in "Boys of St. Vincent"?) Yet, Czerny can't save the tedium of DelaBarre's script.

As for the film title, it has little to do with the book per se (how can one make a film of a book that consists entirely of dialog . . . Qs&As?).

In the end, it's appropriate that the film be judged as film and, according to that criteria, it deserves a less that satisfactory rating.

1. Many have judged this film in a variety of ways, usually in the negative and as propaganda by 'religious types', or as another attempt to make money on the 'religion' bandwagon. Over the years I have come to believe in one God, based upon unconditional love. Not man's versions based upon interpretations and founded in other countries.

2. This movie is what you make of it, just as your life is what you make of it. I have reviewed other movies I consider spiritual in meaning, of entertainment to my human spirit, without judgment, and from all societies and beliefs. And yet, I find that there is always going to be one or more people who will pass personal judgment instead of objective insight when reviewing a film.

3. We are free to express ourselves, within the guidelines of posting (which some of us will argue against also), and forget the bigger picture that we are about life. That when we write, we influence others, or hope to, or vent, or whatever. This is our opportunity to show others our personal qualities, beliefs, and values.

4. I have written and been challenged and ostracized before and will again. I am a college grad, retired military, former law enforcement, former mental health counselor, youth leader, half Japanese, military brat, etc. I have never been particularly religious but do believe in a Supreme Existence. This isn't about me. One thing I learned in my careers in my short 52 years is that when a crisis arises, there are no atheists and that man can show his best and worst. Through it all, people will gather and express thanks in some way.

5. This movie, in particular, does just that...it gathers people together to be entertained, to experience, to reflect, to spend some time connected in some way with others. This is a transformational film. It isn't about 'talking with God'. It is about going inside ourselves and thinking what it meant, what it provoked, what it caused us to feel, and then listen to that inner voice inside and the message received.

6. I received value from it because I chose to see it as having something to give to me. The mechanics of the film don't matter. If you feel drawn to it because of some issue in your life, or want to experience an alternative to what is out there then go with an open mind and heart. Don't go expecting the book. Go with no expectations and no pre-judgments. Just go, and take a friend, or make a new one at the movie.

7. This movie may be like your life, it's what you've made of it so far or not...and then write a review.