Typically inspirational films are not released during the peak summer film season for fear of a low box office draw, so when I realized that "The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith" was being released in latter June, I felt that it was a mistake, and so far, it has been a box office bomb. Not that it was a bad film necessarily, but because of the bad timing of release. Based on a true story, missionary John H. Groberg (Christopher Gorham) returns to Tonga (of the Fiji Islands) in the 1960's with his wife Jean (Natalie Medlock) and their five young daughters through the backing and encouragement of Thomas Monson (Russell Dixon). When their sixth child-- a son--is born with a serious illness, the Groberg's face their ultimate test of faith, only to find themselves surrounded by the love and prayers of thousands of Tongans. Barriers of inter religious strife are ultimately broken down as all unite in hopes of a miracle that will save the baby's life, as well as the life of a Tongan minister's son, Feki (Joe Folau).
Others to round out the cast are Ben Baker as Sione, Brenda Kendall as Floydene, Ian Mune as Veri, Alipate Radrodro as 'Uliti Uata, Asaeli Sinusetaki as Manase Nau, Mriama Smith as Lavania, Ateca Ravuvu as Nurse #1, Alex Tarrant as Toutai, Nicole Whippy as Tanita and Matt Young as Matt Young.
This was effectively directed by the existing director of the original in 2001, Mitch Davis ("The Other Side of Heaven" '01, "Language of the Enemy" '08, "Christmas Eve" '15, "The Stray" '17). What helps make this as an effective follow up of the original of the same name is by having Davis as the continued director. One feels as though you know these characters well even though it has been 18 years later. What is remarkable is that Christopher Gorham not only played the missionary in the original, but in this follow up as well. It's as though he never grew older. Good DNA? Not sure. Davis also executed the writing well and his writings include "Wind Runner" '94, "Handel's Messiah" (TV movie documentary) '14, "Joseph Smith: American Prophet" '17, and the others he also directed. It was based on the novel "Fire of Faith" by John Groberg. The script was not badly put together, however there were times when the connection between the two opposing factions were not connecting enough to congeal the story as effectively as it could've. The two factions are of Mormonism and Methodism involved here. The two factions could've been any of the religions, however since this was based on a true story, these were the religions involved. My particular belief neither falls to either faction, but I believe that the message here is not so much about a religions' beliefs as much as how we can love each other, especially when things go awry, in spite of our religious beliefs. Each minister goes through their 'living hell' and through their people and the power of the Lord, they were ultimately able to transcend above there owns problems to reach out toward others.
The message of love and redemption is the main reason why one would want to see this. Certainly Gorham as the missionary was effective as were the supporting cast. And even though the writing could've used a bit more polish, the message will win all.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 118mins.
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