The Other Side of Heaven
User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 57
  3. Negative: 9 out of 57

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  1. TaraB.
    Feb 3, 2004
    1
    But there is something off about their doctrine and it comes shining clearly in this movie. I wanta gag just thinking about it. Mormons seem to have some weird fascination with things like "true love" and "living forever", meanwhile forgetting about God somehow. It reminds me of the pagans, waiting for the Elysian fields.
  2. KevinC.
    Apr 25, 2003
    4
    Great cimenatography and the money was well spent but it lack in character and was bais from the begining. We never once hear the Missionary's teaching which leaves the non-mormon audience wondering why these people followed.
  3. DaveJ.
    May 16, 2003
    3
    Probably one of the better Mormon Propoganda film.s
  4. ByronR.
    Aug 2, 2003
    2
    Slick mormon propaganda film.
  5. john
    Oct 17, 2005
    1
    Patronizing, obviously fictional bull!@#$. I agree with most of the real critics on this one.
  6. OlafW.
    Sep 24, 2003
    1
    This is a putrid piece of religious propaganda. White man goes to tropical island and preaches to the savages. Adversities are encountered by the character. White man and his God takes credit for all the good things. White man returns home and live happily everafter while the savages stay poor and continue to face threat of diseases and disaster, which is ok because Whiteman has told them it's wonderful even if it feels completely the opposite. I give it one point because for the few minutes that Ann Hathaway is on the screen, she simpered nicely. … Expand
  7. TonganN.
    Aug 27, 2004
    0
    This movie was a disgrace to the Tongan culture, I myself am Tongan and I do not approve of this movie what so ever!!
  8. AndrewV.
    Nov 24, 2003
    3
    Mormon propaganda veiled in good movie-making. The Mormon Church gets most of its converts from people who come from a Christian background. Therefore, it is in its best interests to appear to be just another Christian denomination. How does this movie accomplish this? By the victory of the missionary over the church. The only real tension in the story occurs between the main character (a Mormon missionary) and the "Minister", who seems to be a Christian pastor opposed to the missionary's teaching. This tension resolves itself after the hurricane scene when the "Minister" asks the missionary's forgiveness for his opposition. Again, this a significant aim of the Mormon church, to be considered a legitimate denomination of the Christian church, even though its beliefs are radically different. They would love for everyone to believe they are teaching the same thing. For example, notice that the subjects of the missionary's teaching are about things any Christian would agree with. Don't be fooled by this well-crafted piece of propaganda.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
38 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Jan Stuart
    40
    The whole trippy experience is like being held at gunpoint by a Jehovah's Witness at the front door while George Gobel holds forth in the living room on Nickelodeon.
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  2. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Ed Park
    40
    Strangely coy about its denominational allegiance.
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  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    60
    A tad preachy and more than a little bit sanctimonious.
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