As It Is in Heaven (Så som i himmelen) (2004)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(8,124 ratings)

An internationally renowned Swedish conductor returns to his childhood village and agrees to help the local church choir hone their singing skills. The harder Daniel works draws out the singers' hidden inner talents, the more he realizes just what he's been missing by living in the big city. Before… More An internationally renowned Swedish conductor returns to his childhood village and agrees to help the local church choir hone their singing skills. The harder Daniel works draws out the singers' hidden inner talents, the more he realizes just what he's been missing by living in the big city. Before long he's made new friends, and found a new love. A heartfelt tale of inspiration and discovery, As It Is In Heaven was Sweden's official submission for Best Foreign Film at the 2005 Academy Awards. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Kay Pollak
Written By: Margaretha Pollak, Carin Pollak, Anders Nyberg, Kay Pollak, Ola Olsson
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Feb 2, 2010

Critic Reviews

Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle
It tells its tale of love, community and redemption with soap-operatic mood swings and a true believer's faith in the transcendent powers of music.
Mario Tarradell, Dallas Morning News
As It Is in Heaven works best as a thematic piece of art. It's a statement on the ugliness of humanity and the power of music to wound, but then heal.
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
... splits the difference between heartwarming small town comedy of an outsider bonding with eccentric inhabitants and spiky drama of the insular town...
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Doesn't avoid all the pitfalls, [but] it plays things out quirkily enough to surprise and engage us.
James O'Ehley, SA Movie & DVD Magazine
Not a movie for cynics.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Some may find the melodramatic ending is unsuited to the film's tone, but might well forgive that one negative, given the many pluses.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

As It Is In Heaven is of a heartwarming story of love, community, and redemption through faith on the transcendent powers of music of a renowned musician whose goal is to "create music that will open a person's heart." Brilliantly explores worthwhile themes on music and… More
As It Is In Heaven is of a heartwarming story of love, community, and redemption through faith on the transcendent powers of music of a renowned musician whose goal is to "create music that will open a person's heart." Brilliantly explores worthwhile themes on music and religion. Truly inspirational, graceful, joyful, and lovely. Heaven-bound.
Cynthia S

I really enjoyed this movie. I admit that I was having a very small problem dealing with the leading man being so unattractive. I blame American films and their beautiful actors. We have grown accustomed to watching people on film that are usually rather attractive in this country,… More
I really enjoyed this movie. I admit that I was having a very small problem dealing with the leading man being so unattractive. I blame American films and their beautiful actors. We have grown accustomed to watching people on film that are usually rather attractive in this country, and it seems in other countries it isnt important. It shouldnt be, but I have to say I struggled with it. The movie, though, was so nice that I managed to get around it. I am ashamed that I feel this way. Shame on me.....
Rubia Carolina .

It has and interesting point: how some situations and people of our childhood affect our whole life; how we are not able to deal with them even after a long time and how we have to face them in some point of our life. In the other hand, it is everything you´ve already seen in… More
It has and interesting point: how some situations and people of our childhood affect our whole life; how we are not able to deal with them even after a long time and how we have to face them in some point of our life. In the other hand, it is everything you´ve already seen in thousand of other "inspiring" movies, without any creative or innovative or at least a little bit different point of view. <br> <br>
Mike S

A rare piece of work. Wish all swedish movies could be this good and touching, which unfortunately isn't the case these days. Fascinating characters and a great insight into the typical swedish mentality. Its only real downside is that it is a bit naive, but other than that a… More
A rare piece of work. Wish all swedish movies could be this good and touching, which unfortunately isn't the case these days. Fascinating characters and a great insight into the typical swedish mentality. Its only real downside is that it is a bit naive, but other than that a wonderful and inspiring movie.
Lesley N

Swedish drama about an exhausted conductor returning to his home town for recuperation and escape. Life-changing experiences for all in his new choir ensue, including the battered wife, the carefree girl, the stultified vicars wife, the fat one, etc etc. Sensitive film about the… More
Swedish drama about an exhausted conductor returning to his home town for recuperation and escape. Life-changing experiences for all in his new choir ensue, including the battered wife, the carefree girl, the stultified vicars wife, the fat one, etc etc. Sensitive film about the redemptive qualities of music, it does veer into the schmaltzy sometimes, but is still quite moving and there's some lovely singing.
Daisy M

Sa som i himmelen was a Swedish movie about a famous orchestra conductor, Daniel Dareus,who suffered a heart attack while he was finishing conducting a concert.Forced to retire,he returned to a small Swedish village,where he lived in his child years. Once there he was asked to become… More
Sa som i himmelen was a Swedish movie about a famous orchestra conductor, Daniel Dareus,who suffered a heart attack while he was finishing conducting a concert.Forced to retire,he returned to a small Swedish village,where he lived in his child years. Once there he was asked to become the leader of the church choir, and so he found fulfillment in his music again.The people there lived very close together, as they were being controlled by religion, misunderstandings, lack of courage,brutality, but also the ability to have fun and to sing. It took a trigger from someone outside to rip off their masks and to let them feel that they were human beings with their up and downfalls.The movie covered lot of other topics which was too much to mention. It was also nominated for best foreign film in 2005 for the Oscars.It did not win but it was a great movie with a positive life message.Brilliant !