In Sunrise In Heaven, both the present and the past have love, challenge and faith. In the present: the couple who’ve been married for decades, their car crash, and the prayers. In the past: they meet when he’s a G.I., her father’s disapproval of the relationship, and the patience. It was not easy then, and it is not easy now. He’s paralyzed, loss is so close, and skepticism may be trying to barge in. But there are already two things at home: love and faith.

Sunrise In Heaven feels impactful when the actors are given space to pour emotion into the story and scenes. The film significantly benefits from their performances, and through some well-acted points, we have the opportunity to connect and react. Talking about love, challenges, and faith is one thing, but to also view the emotional specifics is more. Though there are moments where Sunrise In Heaven may fumble some of its impact (such as through a distractingly edited montage) when the emotion is given attention, the emotion may get our attention.

Those emotional scenes, along with some of the content, may be better for an older, prepared audience. There’s an accident, with blood on characters; lying, including a young woman lying to her parents about seeing a young man; romance, kissing, and talk of “making out.” Harsher topics are tackled, too, such as unkindness, a scene where a character is threatening with a gun, and hard medical challenges and choices.

For viewers who are prepared for the emotion and content, Sunrise In Heaven is Dove-Approved for Ages 12+.

The Dove Take:

An emotional and well-acted story of love and faith in the midst of challenges.