Eternity
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5)
When Hollywood gets a hold of the afterlife, more often than not, they get it wrong, especially as they attempt to appeal to a majority of faiths opposed to picking a lane. Interestingly, writer/director David Freyne expects his lead character to choose one eternity. As we travel into this review, we will take a look at the quality of filmmaking while engaging with the confusing and hopeless reality on offer from this film of a heavenly forever. (Yet, read the full review to find a hopeful alternative from Reel Dialogue.)
The concept is fairly simple: Joan Cutler (Elizabeth Olsen) passes away and enters the Junction, a waiting room before her eternal existence. The twist in the tale is that her two husbands preceded her in death and awaited her arrival to join them in their own version of heaven. Luke (Callum Turner) was her first husband, who died in the Korean War after a short marriage. Larry Cutler (Miles Teller) was Joan's second husband, who had enjoyed 65 years together before their passing. The challenge is that Joan can spend eternity with only one of her husbands, and she has to choose which one.
As a film, Eternity is sweet, engaging and at times, hilarious. This celestial love triangle is compelling, with Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner bringing the necessary chemistry to make the tension and passion palpably beautiful. Each actor delivers the essential devotion, emotion, and pain, creating layers that could make any solution appealing. Beyond the central cast, John Early and Da'Vine Joy Randolph are where the comedy comes in like an angelic force as the trio's Afterlife Coordinators (AC). Yet the appreciation for marriage and the yearning for an eternal existence with their loved ones will draw the audience into this quirky journey, despite the confusing interpretation of the afterlife. The quality of filmmaking and storytelling is undeniable and one worth seeing. Still, there are some problems we need to address.
For those looking for an accurate interpretation of heaven, hell and accountability in this romantic comedy, you will be disappointed regardless of your faith position. In their attempt to appeal to every view of life after death, the film's creators only end up offending or misinterpreting opposing views. As a Christian, there is much to be known of eternity that we can find in the Bible, while there is much we will only truly understand upon arrival in God's Promised Land. Still, this film falls short of offering a satisfying view of life after this one. As a viewer, if you want accuracy in how heaven is depicted; give this movie a pass. For all those who are looking for an entertaining, imaginative story that will touch the heart and embrace the beauty of marriage, this celestial tale will fill the bill.
Eternity has so much to offer as a creative take on the standard romantic comedy. One for the romantics of the world who yearn to find a story that will make them appreciate their loved ones eternally. Admittedly, the theological elements are woeful and make this journey unnecessarily confusing, rather than offering hope for life after death. As they push their characters to choose one eternity, they leave them with a less-than-hopeful choice. Still, this is a film that will bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye, and should inspire the hardest of hearts to seek out those they love, to hold them tight, in appreciation of all they mean in this life.
Reel Dialogue and Third Space have entered the world of YouVersion: Download the app, dive into the plans, and engage with the Bible in a fresh and exciting way.
Reel Dialogue: Let's talk about heaven and hell
After watching a film like Eternity, the question of heaven and hell inevitably arises. How do you explain something so ethereal with any confidence? Most people would rather be asked about the birds and bees instead. Yet, it is not a topic to avoid.
Most experts say to be direct, use clear language and acknowledge that it is even hard for most people to understand.
For those from the Christian faith, you can share that heaven is a real place and there is room for anyone to be there after they die. Then this opens the door to talking about Jesus. He is the one who makes all of this accessible, since belief in Him is the way to secure an eternal place in heaven. The makers of Eternity would have you think there are many roads to heaven, but all this does is lead people to more confusion than answers. The God of the Bible is not one of confusion, even on a big topic like the afterlife.
His answers point towards hope rather than bewilderment. Take comfort in knowing that God provides us all the answers within the Bible. Where it is, how to get there and why you would want to choose to go there.
