is the story of Becca (Jenn Gotzon Chandler), Adam (Lane Garrison) and their 5-year-old daughter Acie (Riley St John). They lived a life full of joy as they worked together on their farm, but their perfect family is torn apart when Adam is tragically killed in an ATV accident on the night of their annual Inependence Day celebration. Adam's death caused Becca's worl to spin out of control as she struggled to make sense of WHY her husband died.
Unable to cope with life without Adam, Becca leaves Acie with her grandfather Rick (Corbin Bernsen), and goes for an extended visit with her former classmate, June (Jill Morrison). Due to her shattered faith, Becca's anger with God soon has her rebellioslyslipping into the "Party Girl" lifestyle that June leads. All comes to a climax when Becca is arrested for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct, causing her to realize that she needed to return to her child and her father. Deciding to accompany her friend, June and Becca board a bus only to encounter an unexpected event that has a profound impact on the lives of both women as they journey home.
My Daddy's in Heaven is directed by Waymon Boone and written by Boone, Joseph Nasser, and Noelle Nelson. Other actors in the film include Lorenzo Lamas, TC Stallings, Lee Benton, AJ Knight and Jim E Chandler. The movie will be available on DVD and Digital March 13th at Walmart, Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, VUDU and On-Demand via local cable providers.
REVIEW: To clear possible confusion, I want to say that this film is very loosely based on the book, My Daddy Is In Heaven With Jesus by Rebecca Crownover. The book was an explanation to her very young daughter trying to help her understand her father's death. The first names and death are the same, but the movie is a story of a young woman coming to grips with the death of her husband and feeling abandoned by God.
The downsides were some of the storylines were a bit hurried although that could have been with editing rather than writing. I also would have liked to have had a few more minutes to get to know Adam and a bit of backstory. I wasn't crazy about all of the characters, but each was in the story for a reason.
Beyond the nitpicking above, I loved the movie. I have been in a similar situation as many of the roles played and the actors breathed life into characters I could identify with as part of my life. My story is not identical to Becca's, but I have been a young mother who felt abandoned by God and went through a period of anger, bitterness, and rebellion. Jenn Gotzon was brilliant as Becca! She made me laugh, she made me cry, and she skillfully portrayed a woman whose world had been overturned to a point she was spinning out of control. I could feel the many emotions as Becca struggled to hide the pain and look for a new normal while both running from and grasping the past.
The chemistry between Jenn Gotzon Chandler and Jill Morrison (June) was tangible and seemed as natural as breathing. June was one of my favorite characters and Jill played the role with a charm and passion that was irresistible. Of course, Corbin Bernson and Lorenzo Lamas gave amazing performances. Rick (Corbin) had a rock solid dependability that masked his inner fears and vulnerability. TC Stallings had a small but pivotal role that touched me as deeply as it did the movie characters. And, Jim Chandler (Jenn Gotzon's husband) was low-key but very charming as Nick; it was a delight to see Jim and Jenn together.
Despite a few discrepancies here and there, I have to give Daddy Is In Heaven 5 stars. The casting of the major roles (and some minor) was excellent and the story of hope and healing after a terrible loss is sure to transform lives. Broken lives and shattered dreams may cause us to stumble for a while but God is always standing by to welcome us back home.
The downsides were some of the storylines were a bit hurried although that could have been with editing rather than writing. I also would have liked to have had a few more minutes to get to know Adam and a bit of backstory. I wasn't crazy about all of the characters, but each was in the story for a reason.
Beyond the nitpicking above, I loved the movie. I have been in a similar situation as many of the roles played and the actors breathed life into characters I could identify with as part of my life. My story is not identical to Becca's, but I have been a young mother who felt abandoned by God and went through a period of anger, bitterness, and rebellion. Jenn Gotzon was brilliant as Becca! She made me laugh, she made me cry, and she skillfully portrayed a woman whose world had been overturned to a point she was spinning out of control. I could feel the many emotions as Becca struggled to hide the pain and look for a new normal while both running from and grasping the past.
The chemistry between Jenn Gotzon Chandler and Jill Morrison (June) was tangible and seemed as natural as breathing. June was one of my favorite characters and Jill played the role with a charm and passion that was irresistible. Of course, Corbin Bernson and Lorenzo Lamas gave amazing performances. Rick (Corbin) had a rock solid dependability that masked his inner fears and vulnerability. TC Stallings had a small but pivotal role that touched me as deeply as it did the movie characters. And, Jim Chandler (Jenn Gotzon's husband) was low-key but very charming as Nick; it was a delight to see Jim and Jenn together.
Despite a few discrepancies here and there, I have to give Daddy Is In Heaven 5 stars. The casting of the major roles (and some minor) was excellent and the story of hope and healing after a terrible loss is sure to transform lives. Broken lives and shattered dreams may cause us to stumble for a while but God is always standing by to welcome us back home.
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DISCLAIMER: The film publicist, Lovell-Fairchild, provided me with a screener for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
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