Dear God

Play trailer

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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 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

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Garry Marshall

Director

Greg Kinnear

Tom Turner

Laurie Metcalf

Rebecca Frazen

Maria Pitillo

Gloria McKinney

Tim Conway

Herman Dooly

Héctor Elizondo

Vladek Vidov

It Takes Two

8%

60%

It Takes Two

Watchlist

TRAILER

for It Takes Two

House Arrest

10%

45%

House Arrest

Watchlist

The Stupids

21%

38%

The Stupids

Watchlist

Houseguest

18%

55%

Houseguest

Watchlist

A Pyromaniac's Love Story

0%

55%

A Pyromaniac's Love Story

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now