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Dear God

Play trailer Poster for Dear God PG Released Nov 1, 1996 1h 52m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
14% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 28% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In order to avoid a jail sentence, con man Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) promises a judge he'll get an honest job for a year. But when he starts working in the U.S. Post Office's dead letter office, he's moved by some letters addressed directly to God. After he starts a Good Samaritan con by replying to the letters, his co-workers (Laurie Metcalf, Tim Conway, Héctor Elizondo) are inspired to do the same. But their good work is frowned upon by the postmaster general -- and the cops.
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Dear God

Dear God

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Critics Consensus

Dear God never had a prayer, with Greg Kinnear's angelic charisma weighted down by a screenplay bereft of wit but heavy on schmaltz.

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Critics Reviews

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Leonard Klady Variety It unfortunately has an unfinished quality, and plays very much like a good first draft for a much better movie than the one on view. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times Together, these characters discover the ideas of faith and fellowship as the film congratulates itself on its noble instincts. Rated: 2.5/5 May 20, 2003 Full Review Desson Thomson Washington Post A goofy, goodwill gesture toward the U.S. Postal Service, it's never funny and moves slower than an unaddressed letter without postage. Jan 22, 2002 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a palpably overlong yet mostly affable comedy that benefits from its assortment of appealing attributes... Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 4, 2025 Full Review TV Guide Garry Marshall's fast-paced, Capra-esque comedy probably out-Capras Capra himself in sentimentality, but the terrific cast makes for a rarity: a feel good-comedy that's actually very funny. Rated: 3/4 Jul 20, 2009 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 2/5 Aug 16, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Just saw this movie for the first time - some 22 years after release. This is a charming feel-good movie. What a cast! Not only Kinnear but Laurie Metcalfe, Tim ConwY, Jack Klugman, Roscoe Lee Browne, Garry MarshLl, Rue McClanHN, Hector Elizondo, and so many more. You'll get a kick out of all the actors you recognize! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Stellar Funny Cast. Under-rated and definitely on my Holiday HeartTouchstone movies. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member I'm confused about how movies like this get the green light-this really is incoherant dribble. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Overall a really good movie. Not sure why it received so many bad reviews. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member A pleasantly surprising and enjoyable little holiday comedy. As predictable as it all was, I found myself having a good time with this modern day "It's A Wonderful Life". Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member another delightful comedy from Penny Marshall's brother, Garry. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Dear God

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Cast & Crew

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Garry Marshall

Director

Greg Kinnear

Tom Turner

Laurie Metcalf

Rebecca Frazen

Maria Pitillo

Gloria McKinney

Tim Conway

Herman Dooly

Héctor Elizondo

Vladek Vidov

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Dear God

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Movie Info

Synopsis In order to avoid a jail sentence, con man Tom Turner (Greg Kinnear) promises a judge he'll get an honest job for a year. But when he starts working in the U.S. Post Office's dead letter office, he's moved by some letters addressed directly to God. After he starts a Good Samaritan con by replying to the letters, his co-workers (Laurie Metcalf, Tim Conway, Héctor Elizondo) are inspired to do the same. But their good work is frowned upon by the postmaster general -- and the cops.
Director
Garry Marshall
Producer
Steve Tisch
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Rysher Entertainment
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 1, 1996, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.1M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Surround
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