Letters To God (2009)

21% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(18,365 ratings)

This family drama follows the true story of a young boy whose life is put on the line when he is diagnosed with cancer. Through his letters to God about the confusion and faith that come with his situation, he soon becomes a surprising source of hope and inspiration for those in his neighborhood --… More This family drama follows the true story of a young boy whose life is put on the line when he is diagnosed with cancer. Through his letters to God about the confusion and faith that come with his situation, he soon becomes a surprising source of hope and inspiration for those in his neighborhood -- including a substitute mailman, whose life becomes surprisingly mixed up in the ordeal. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: David Nixon
Written By: Patrick Doughtie, Art D'Alessandro
Genres: Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Apr 9, 2010 Wide
On DVD: Aug 10, 2010
Studio: Vivendi Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
There are so many characters basing their actions on what Jesus would do that Jesus just about deserves a co-screenwriting credit.
Justin Chang, Variety
This faith-based/fact-based inspirational weepie allows no one to escape the saintlike glow of its terminally ill protagonist.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
While Letters to God is certainly family-friendly, the blandness robs it of whatever emotion or redemption the filmmakers were shooting for.
Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Heavy-handed tearjerker about faith, death, and friendship.
Carolyn Arends, Christianity Today
As well intentioned and sometimes well acted as this film is, it is not always able to rise above its own earnest agenda in order to tell its story in an absorbing manner.
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
... worthy intentions are far outstripped by its fumbling amateurishness.
Janos Gereben, Entertainment Insiders
Letters To God keeps letting the story be interrupted by the sponsor, which in this case is Christianity.
Eric Hynes, L.A. Weekly
With little in the way of story or spectacle to offer nonbelievers, the film itself just preaches to the choir.
Annlee Ellingson, Moving Pictures Magazine
Letters to God is preaching to the choir.
Jackie K. Cooper, jackiekcooper.com
The true story is inspiring but the film gets much too preachy
Luke Y. Thompson, E! Online
Dear God, make it stop!
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
This story of a courageous child's battle with cancer would have been so much better if it had been a documentary.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
A bighearted, uplifting and captivating drama for all ages. It will inspire you to open your heart compassionately and to find hope, faith and comfort throughout your life's hardships.
Pete Hammond, Boxoffice Magazine
There is no complexity to these characters at all and the relentless pitch for prayer as the answer to all lifeâ(TM)s problems is laid on like molasses.
Loey Lockerby, Kansas City Star
Letters to God is certainly watchable and may offer comfort to Christians in the audience. But its appeal will be limited, no matter how professional it looks.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
A sometimes moving, sometimes awkward blend of sentimental family drama, cancer awareness and Christian proselytizing.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
A depressingly unemotional affair, with writing and some of the acting so flat that even its emotionally loaded situations can't inspire waterworks.
Jim Judy, Screen It!
Parental Content Review

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Very "Preachy". Incredibly Hokey. I enjoy a good christian / spiritual movie every now and then, but this one was just a little too over the top for me. Even that sometimes I can overlook...but the acting was just so awful at times, that I found myself cringing.
moon r

i walked into this totally blind, simply waiting for another feature to begin and having no prior knowledge of what to expect (for such is my will and my way!). it's another well-meaning movie-of-the-week, based on a true story (as practically everything is nowadays) about a… More
i walked into this totally blind, simply waiting for another feature to begin and having no prior knowledge of what to expect (for such is my will and my way!). it's another well-meaning movie-of-the-week, based on a true story (as practically everything is nowadays) about a poor shlump kid dying of cancer and writing the titular "letters to God" to deal. did i say "well-meaning" yet?
Matthew R

The only thing good I can say about this film is I saw it for free. Other than that, this film is like watching the Hallmark Channel. Over the top chesseiness and just way to corny for a person to handle. Not to mention, acting and writing that is so flat, that even it's… More
The only thing good I can say about this film is I saw it for free. Other than that, this film is like watching the Hallmark Channel. Over the top chesseiness and just way to corny for a person to handle. Not to mention, acting and writing that is so flat, that even it's emotional situations cannot get you touched at all. Letters to God is a slow, bland, cheeseball film. Story: C Acting: D+ Direction: D- Visuals: C Overall: D+ *1/2 out of 4 stars
Dannielle A

I was actually afraid this one might be really bad but it was actually a pure gem. I sobbed at the end. It was just a pure good movie. Parts were a bit cheesy but it was uplifting and encouraging. They may have been a bit too many music montages but it wasn't preachy and it was… More
I was actually afraid this one might be really bad but it was actually a pure gem. I sobbed at the end. It was just a pure good movie. Parts were a bit cheesy but it was uplifting and encouraging. They may have been a bit too many music montages but it wasn't preachy and it was only lacking in acting talent in a couple minor areas. (It may have been poor scripting and the poor actors could do nothing about it.) Otherwise, what a great movie! I recommend it to anyone who wants to see a movie about a child who changes people's lives for the better.

Cast

            Tanner Maguire as Tyler Doherty

            Jeffrey S.S. Johnson as Brady McDaniels

            Robyn Lively as Maddy Doherty

            Maree Cheatham as Olivia

            Michael Bolten as Ben Doherty

            Lisa Curtis as Erin Miller

            Christopher John Schmidt as Walter Finley

            Lyanna Tumaneng as Linda Baker

            Ralph Waite as Cornelius Perryfield

            Dennis Neal as Lester Stevens

            Cristian Cunningham as Carl - Postal Supervisor

            Carol Saragusa as Cathy - Postal Clerk

            Mandy Best as Nurse Jamie Lynn

            Avery Sommers as Nurse Carol

            Tom Nowicki as Jack the Bartender

            Bailee Madison as Samantha Perryfield

            Carl Amari as Alex Wheaton

            Andrea Conte as Miss Emily

            Karley Scott Collins as Ashley Turner

            Luke Schrader as John

            Brett Rice as Bar Guy

            L. Derek Leonidoff as Pastor Andy

            Erin Bethea as Chemotherapy Nurse

            McKay Ball as Sally

            Salem Murphy as Dr. Rashaad

            Sam Smith as Tow Truck Driver

            Brad Benedict as Coach Dave

            Josue Gutierrez as Referee

            Matthew Swanson as Colt

            Whitney Goin as Ex-Wife

            Pamela Landwirth as Miss Pamela

            Wintley Phipps as Give Kids the World Emcee

            Lee Dawson as Joe Letter Carrier

            Derric Johnson & Re'Generation as Choir

            Trinity Schwab as Jogger

            Jenny Knipe as Phoebe

            Tonia Kerr as Samantha's Mom

            Tyler Cravens as Samatha's Dad

            Brendan Doughtie as Justin McDaniels

            Katie Prestwood as Mrs. Stevens

            Justin Smith as Sergeant Baker

            Stan Hawthorne as Bicycle Rider

            Ralph White as Cornelius Perryfield
See full cast