Dear God *** (1996, Greg Kinnear, Laurie Metcalf, Maria Pitillo, Hector Elizondo) – Classic Movie Review 2000

It is hard to dislike director Garry Marshall’s 1996 feel-good comedy, in which Greg Kinnear stars as conman Tom Turner, who gets a job in the dead-letter department of the US Post Office, and decides to help the people who write to Santa, Elvis and God by replying to them. Naturally it isn’t long before the media finds out about this story.

The relentless fake optimism in the screenplay by Warren Leight and Ed Kaplan makes for a movie that’s a bit too bland and manipulative. But the feel-good factor is high enough to keep it likeable and the appealing Kinnear and the rest of a superior cast work hard to make it mildly good fun. Indeed, the skilful, warm-spirited performances are a major asset.

Hector Elizondo co-stars (as Vladek Vidov), as he does in every one of Marshall’s movies. Laurie Metcalf, Tim Conway, Maria Pitillo, Tim Conway, Jon Seda and Roscoe Lee Browne also star. The movie also features Anna Maria Horsforf, Kathleen Marshall, Isadora O’Boto, Felix Pire, Donal Logue, Sam McMurray, Nancy Marchand, Larry Miller, Jack Sheldon and The Golden Girls’ Rue McClanahan.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 2000

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com/