The Other Side of Heaven is a faithful and unfortunately a mostly uninspired account of L.D.S general authority John H. Groberg's missionary experiences in Tonga in the 1950s. Taken pretty much chapter and verse form his book, "In the Eye of the Storm," The Other Side of Heaven is far from the worst LDS themed films I've seen, and though rarely compelling, I found it nonetheless mildly enjoyable. Still given the potential for this film with it's meaty true story and respectable budget, it was somewhat disappointing in it's execution. Culpable in equal measures are writer/director Mitch Davis and Christopher Gorham's performance as the young Groberg. The script never raises to anything other than a disjointed collection of events, and his direction does nothing to use these episodes as building blocks toward some kind of emotional pay-off, or even a cohesive story-line.

As for Gorham, he is a natural and affable screen-presence, but during the course of his many trials and triumphs on this remote Polynesian island (hurricanes, harrowing storms at sea, temptation, miraculous healings and the constant fear of losing his girlfriend (a totally wasted Anne Hathaway whose part is 95 per cent voice-over), his character fails to develop even slightly. Yes, he struggles with everything from the language to the island customs, he cries, he heals, but there's no noticeable change, he doesn't become a man, or wax spiritually. I don't know how much of this to blame on the script, but Gorham could have use this film as a springboard, yet barely manages to keep your interest.

I guess the script is mostly at fault, it is literally a collection of mostly unrelated events that did not lend itself to any plot development, let alone spiritual momentum. His adversities were usually resolved without much of a struggle, in fact in the aftermath of a hurricane he nearly dies for lack of food, but he really didn't seem to care one way or the other. And I had long since stopped caring about his fate. It became more than obvious that Hathaway was going to await his return and that they would be married, on other than one other run-in with an officious mission president who shows up for a surprise inspection and becomes hot-under-the-collar over Groberg's lack of paperwork and organization. Still 2 minutes later this was all resolved with a happy carry on Elder and that was that. In fact "that was that" pretty much sums up this film. The movie begins with his mission call and ends at his Homecoming and temple marriage and at the end of it all, I didn't feel like I'd learned anything about Groberg that wasn't evident in the first few scenes.

I will say that what The Other Side of Heaven lacked in plot and character development, it more than makes up for in terms of cinematography. There are many breathtaking locales, to-die-for Pacific sunsets and even some effective storm at sea footage. Still I'm left with the awkward job of having to give this film the mildest of recommendations for anyone other than Mormons and Polynesians. I was really hoping for much more given the money and some of the talent on board, but alas, I cannot bear false witness. The other side of Heaven is really not a memorable film experience.