The Other Side of Heaven

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The Other Side of Heaven ★★ 2002 (PG)

Well-meaning if heavy-handed bio-drama based on Groberg's memoir “In the Eye of the Storm.” John Groberg (Gorham) is a Mormon college student at Brigham Young University in 1953, who's pining for Jean (Hathaway), the girl of his dreams. Then he receives his missionary assignment—to Tonga in the South Seas. Groberg has to struggle with native culture, the language barrier, and various hardships and natural disasters before he can accomplish his goals. Film's sincere although you never get much of an idea of how Groberg feels about all that befalls him except for his enduring faith. Picture was filmed in the Cook Islands. 113m/C VHS, DVD . US Christopher Gorham, Anne Hathaway, Joe Folau, Miriama Smith, Nathaniel Lees, Whetu Fala; D: Mitch Davis; W: Mitch Davis; C: Brian J. Breheny; M: Kevin Kiner.