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Poster for The Other Side of Heaven

The Other Side of Heaven

Seen it?

2001 | 113 min | Adventure, Drama

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With just 30% on Rotten Tomatoes, a box office loss and little lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for adventure fans. If you loved The Poseidon Adventure or Mutiny on the Bounty, start here.
The mood
Exciting.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 53 min.
What might put you off
Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.

John H. Groberg, a middle class kid from Idaho Falls, crosses the Pacific to become a Mormon missionary in the remote and exotic Tongan island kingdom during the 1950's. He leaves behind a loving family and the true love of his life, Jean. Through letters and musings across the miles, John shares his humbling and sometimes hilarious adventures with "the girl back home", and her letters buoy up his spirits in difficult times. John must struggle to overcome language barriers, physical hardship and deep-rooted suspicion to earn the trust and love of the Tongan people he has come to serve. Throughout his adventure-filled three years on the islands, he discovers friends and wisdom in the most unlikely places. John H. Groberg's Tongan odyssey will change his life forever.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsWeak

    30% on Rotten Tomatoes, 38 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $5 million worldwide on a $7 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 49K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Mitch Davis

  • Christopher GorhamJohn H. Groberg
  • Anne HathawayJean Sabin
  • Joe FolauFeki
  • Miriama SmithLavania
  • Gerald R. MolenPresident Coombs
  • Nathaniel LeesKelepi
  • Alvin FitisemanuTomasi
  • Peter Sa'ena BrownKuli
  • Whetū FalaAsi
  • John SumnerPresident Stone