Dear God

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Dear God

PG

Released Nov 1, 1996

1h 52m

Comedy

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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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 16, 2005

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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

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Audience Member

Stellar Funny Cast. Under-rated and definitely on my Holiday HeartTouchstone movies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

another delightful comedy from Penny Marshall's brother, Garry.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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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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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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