Dear God (1996)

12% of critics liked it
(34 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(5,701 ratings)

In this comedy, a man trying to turn away from a life of crime starts performing a little larceny in the interest of helping others. Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) is a small-time con man who makes the mistake of trying to cheat a pair of undercover cops one night. Fortunately for Tom, his case is heard… More In this comedy, a man trying to turn away from a life of crime starts performing a little larceny in the interest of helping others. Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) is a small-time con man who makes the mistake of trying to cheat a pair of undercover cops one night. Fortunately for Tom, his case is heard by a lenient judge who orders him to get a straight job and stay out of trouble; if he can stay employed for a year, his conviction will be wiped from the record. Tom is hired at the Post Office and assigned to the Dead Letter Office, where he and his co-workers Rebecca (Laurie Metcalf), Herman (Tim Conway), and Vladek (Hector Elizondo) try to figure out what to do with the sacks of mail addressed to Santa Claus, Elvis Presley, and God. Against orders, Tom opens one of the letters to God and is moved by the sad story of the woman who sent it. He decides to reply and accidentally mails her his pay check; but when he sees how happy the answer made the recipient, Tom and his co-workers start opening more letters and trying to answer a few prayers that would be within their reach -- which leads Tom back to the courthouse again. Director Garry Marshall has a small role as Preston Sweeney. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: Garry Marshall
Written By: Warren Leight, Ed Kaplan
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jan 27, 2004
Studio: Paramount

Critic Reviews

Leonard Klady, Variety
It unfortunately has an unfinished quality, and plays very much like a good first draft for a much better movie than the one on view.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Together, these characters discover the ideas of faith and fellowship as the film congratulates itself on its noble instincts.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
A goofy, goodwill gesture toward the U.S. Postal Service, it's never funny and moves slower than an unaddressed letter without postage.
Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times
As trite as the framework is, Dear God might have been a charming holiday film, if only its miracles weren't so trite.
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
Awkward cuts rob the film of cohesion, and even the charming Kinnear seems to disappear at times amid the chaos -- a real test of viewers' faith.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
Though aspiring to Capraesque whimsy, Dear God feels and looks like a faded rerun of Marshall's Happy Days.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Garry Marshall's fast-paced, Capra-esque comedy probably out-Capras Capra himself in sentimentality, but the terrific cast makes for a rarity: a feel good-comedy that's actually very funny.
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Horrendously unfunny.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Annoyingly unfocused comedy flick with nary a laugh to be found.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Cute concept, middling execution.
Andrew Griffin, Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)
This shows Greg Kinnear at his most forced. Director Garry Marshall should've given Kinnear and the other actors more depth before taking it to the silver screen.
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide
Comes with zero extras.
Shawn Bowers, Kansas City Star
Cutesy comedy that makes good use of the Kinnear charm.
Jim Shelby, Palo Alto Weekly
Ultimately what we have here is further evidence of just how difficult it is to make a film that works.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
Dreadful
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
'Dear God' commits the worst sin of all for a comedy -- it evokes very few laughs.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
The movie is as well-intentioned as a Christmas card, but as a work of narrative art, it's a train wreck.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
In its own light-hearted way makes a good case for the spiritual benefits of service.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Yinalí R

Refreshing, a good ol' movie to watch and enjoy at home.

Cast

            Greg Kinnear as Tom Turner

            Laurie Metcalf as Rebecca Frazen

            Maria Pitillo as Gloria McKinney

            Tim Conway as Herman Dooly

            Hector Elizondo as Vladek Vidov

            Roscoe Lee Browne as Idris Abraham

            Anna Maria Horsford as Lucille Barnett

            David Hasselhoff as Himself (uncredited)

            Jack Klugman as Jemi

            Donal Logue as Webster

            Nancy Marchand as Judge Kits Van Heynigan

            Kathleen Marshall as Whispering Wendy

            Rue McClanahan as Mom Turner

            Larry Miller as State Judge

            Jon Seda as Handsome

            Odette Yustman as Angela

            Garry Marshall as Preston Sweeney

            Coolio as Gerard

            Toby Huss as Minister

            Felix Pire
            
            Greg Lewis
            
            Isadora O'Boto
            
            Jack Sheldon
            
            John Pinette
            
            Sam McMurray
            
            Seth Mumy
            
            Stephanie Niznik
            
See full cast