Captivating movie !

Absolutely the worst movie.

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

One side of love: the pure and virtuous love the boy has for the girl he left at home. Any missionary, many servicemen have felt this to some degree. The best part is they sincerely want the best for each other...The other love story is the unique kind of love he develops for a people, this is a Christ-like love that defies description. You can kind of understand if you watch, but if you've ever been a missionary or dedicated yourself to a charitable work... you'll know. It's a beautiful thing.I've read reviews that people thought it was creepy and I just shake my head. The part where the boy was supposed to be dead is a perfect example of a prayer of faith followed by inspiration to do something like CPR. "Out with the bad air, in with the good air" is an old-fashioned first aid mantra. You'll hear Minnie Mouse do a similar thing in a short where she practices first aid on Pluto and Figaro. There is nothing creepy about that.The fact that the story has some LDS flavor is only secondary. This is an incredibly inspirational story, period.

Not pushy or preachy, just a simple, honest tail of a young man and his struggles. A truly grand film!!! I recommend it to anyone. Anyone who is looking to be uplifted, touched, and inspired, no mater their religious affiliation, this is the film for you. Coming from Idaho Falls, Idaho myself this film has a soft spot for me. The touching moments, the harsh reality of prejudice, and the outcome of honest sacrifice makes this film profound. This film is a true story that shows only a few of his vast adventures, which change his life. He gave up his home, family, love, comforts, and all that was familiar for almost three years to help people he had never met. This truly shows you don't need to die to 'lay down ones life', but better yet, it's the putting aside our worldly desires for things of a better.Have a very critical eye, being a director and writer myself, I say this film is a success.

I saw this movie today and can't believe I waited so long after its release to see it. I stumbled on it on my cable channel and was so taken by it, I interrupted my afternoon plans to watch it in its entirely.Not only was the filmography incredible, but it was so beautifully directed. I can't believe this was Mitch Davis' Directorial debut! How do you do a work so incredible on your first work? The characters were portrayed so beautifully that it seemed that they were real people and not actors. It reminded me of one of my favorite stories of all time...James Michener's "Hawaii", yet it had its own sweetness and own story.I will put this on down as one of my top ten movies and highly recommend it to anyone who loves drama, hope, truth and love...amidst a beautiful island people.I give this 10 stars wholeheartedly!

I'm sorry that the adolescent ravings of the previous reviewer appear first. His profound failure to "get it" is an embarrassment.First of all, this is about a young man of "white-bread" heritage casting aside all he has and all he is, even leaving the love of his life for two and a half years, in order to immerse himself in a culture about which he is totally ignorant so that he can offer them the greatest gift he has to offer: His faith.Rather than "looking down" on the people he has come to SERVE, he bears great hardships, and exerts himself in ways he could never have conceived, in order to connect with these people. He comes to love them, profoundly.And their love for him in return, even those who have reason to be suspicious of him, is a testament to his sincerity.Please recall that this is a TRUE STORY. Whatever you might think of John Groberg's religion, or his motives, the fact is that these things actually happened in just this way. He DID travel from Idaho to Tonga, he did live among the people there, he did come to gain their trust, he did bring to them a precious gift of faith, and he did return often throughout the rest of his life, with his wife and family, to be among these people whom he loved.That anyone could be so callously dismissive of this truth is a sad commentary on our "post-Christian" society.But I found this film to be deeply moving and very satisfying, and I recommend it highly to those who enjoy inspiring film.