Earl Joseph Collo Discipline and Ideas Applied Social Science

12 – St. Matthias, HUMSS Mr. Leomar Blasco

Movie Analysis: Heaven is for Real

The first thing that caught my attention about “Heaven Is For Real” is the reasonable proposition
controlled within the title. As with God’s Not Dead, we are suddenly prompted to the
confessional side of these films, which function conversationally as counter-arguments by
supporting the existence of God and heaven respectively. In this sense, they show a reaction
against real and apparent cultural adversaries and present modern-day narratives of triumph over
uncertainty. The story comes to its central conflict when pastor Todd chooses to tell his
congregation around his son’s encounter in heaven, raising questions inside the community not
only almost Colton’s claims, but too approximately the rational soundness of their pastor and
even the existence of heaven. Without a doubt, the film had started a number of inner talks about
inside certain outreaching communities over the scriptural veracity of Colton’s story, in specific
his claim that he pet Jesus’ multi-colored horse whereas in heaven. The movie is about our
humanity because nearly all of us question where do we will go when we die. We may not be part
of a pastor's family, and surely most of us have never had a near-death experience, but we go
about our lives doing much like the Burpo family portrayed in the movie, doing the best they can
at making sense of things in day-to-day living, until the unexplainable things happened.

Summary:
Heaven is for Real tells the story of a family who almost lost their son Colton, but ended up
surviving and getting a glimpse of Heaven. A story of hope. Every dark night has a bright day.
Todd Burpo, the father of the family, is a pastor who installs garage doors on the side as an add-
on to the church income. One year, he battled cancer and suffered through a leg break. After his
recovery, he and his wife decided to spend time in a little family vacation. Right before Sonja
drives her kids to meet their father on vacation, their son, Colton began showing signs of illness.
However, Colton quickly recovered and so the family traveled. Unfortunately, during the trip, he
got ill again and he won't stop vomiting. The family rushed back home to take him to the
emergency room. After being evaluated by multiple doctors, they determined that Colton's
appendix had burst and the toxins are all over his system and he is rushed off for surgery. After
the operation, Colton's body is filled with infection and does not functions as it supposed to do. A
few months later after his recovery, the Burpo family are driving to visit some relatives. Colton
began talking things about Heaven and Jesus, it's there where his family realized that their son
caught a glimpse of Heaven while he was in surgery. At first, they didn't believe him, but as years
went on, he began talking things about Heaven, God and Jesus, things that a four-year-old child
should not know about. He then tells them that he met a sister he never knew he had, referring to
the child Sonja had miscarried. He also talked to them about his grandfather, who died before he
was even born. Todd was amazed at how accurately his son's descriptions were close to the text
found in the Holy Bible, a book he has never read. He even pointed out the accuracy of a painting
drawn by a little girl about Jesus. This little girl has been having dreams or visions about heaven
ever since she was four. The story ends with the Burpo family sharing Colton's story, since they
 found that it helped people. Currently, Colton is eleven-years-old. He would talk about Heaven
once in a while, but he hasn't had an experience similar to when he was three-years-old.

Significant Events:
John the Baptist
Colton revealed that he met John the Baptist, who was on the left side of Jesus. Colton
appealed that John was really kind. Before this experience, Colton not ever recognized
that Jesus had a cousin because his parents never imparted him. Todd was astonished
when his three-year old son asked him, "Did you know that Jesus has a cousin?" His
young child had already met John the Baptist, a bible protagonist who he would be
learning about in school and at church for many years to come.
Colton's "Other" Sister
In Heaven, a girl came up to Colton, and he did not know who she was. The girl told
Colton that she was his older sister because his mom had a miscarriage before she had
Colton. He loved his sister in Heaven and when he was put back in his family, he missed
her immensely. Colton told his mom that her daughter did not have a name and wanted to
know why. Sonja told Colton that they did not name the baby because they did not know
if it was a girl or a boy. It made Sonja happy knowing that her other daughter was in
Heaven and was doing well. Colton told his babysitter, Ali, about his miscarried sister
and how much he loved her. Ali cried with Colton and had her faith renewed from this
story.
Jesus Shoots Power Down On Todd
Colton told his dad that Jesus helps him when he preaches. Colton said that Jesus sends
power down from Heaven on Todd, so he delivers a better message to his listeners.
Colton Meets His Great-Grandpa, Pop
Colton met his great-grandpa who was very close to Todd. Pop told Colton facts about
Todd's childhood. For example, Pop used to take Todd hunting for rabbits, and when
Colton's dad told him this, Colton already knew.
Akaine Kramarik's Painting
After Todd Burpo began to preach the amazing story of his son, the Burpos learned of a
girl, Akaine Kramarik, who had visions of Heaven. She was an outstanding painter and
started to paint pictures of Heaven when she had a vision. Colton's parents always asked
him what was wrong with pictures of Jesus when they saw one, and he would always
give them a reason. When the Burpos asked Colton what he thought of the picture of
Jesus painted by Akaine, his jaw dropped and told them that there was nothing wrong
with the picture.
Major Conflict
There is conflict inside Todd himself; he doesn't want to believe that what Colton is
saying is true yet he realizes that it must be.
Climax
After being clinically dead, Colton makes a recovery which was deemed almost
impossible by his medical team.
Revelation
The bold statements that Colton makes about his experiences foreshadow the skepticism
that the book is received with by some sections of the Christian community.
Understatement
Todd states that he knows some people won't believe Colton's account which turns out to
be an understatement because there is a great deal of unexpected criticism and negativity.
Imaginings
Colton paints incredibly vivid pictures of his experiences in Heaven, for example he tells
of seeing the Virgin Mary at the feet of Jesus, and of both Jesus and Mary kneeling
before God. The images are traditional Christian images but are seen through the eyes of
a child.
Contradiction
Colton has knowledge of his parents' lives that he could only know If he had been there at
the time; since he was not there at the time his unexplained knowledge is used as
evidence that what he is saying about Heaven is true.
Correspondence
There is a parallel between Colton's experiences in Heaven and the traditional picture
book version of Heaven that is usually presented to very young kids. This is also partly
why there was some skepticism about the book's validity.
Concept associated to Theme
Colton talks of the angels, summing up the different people who have passed whom he
meets in Heaven but doesn't really know.