The Discovery of Heaven (2001)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

not as good as all the hype

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Jesus can't pass through the gate because Moslems are buried on the other side.The first 3rd or so was very good if you like hot young blonds in a state of undress. It goes downhill fast after that.The entire premise is ridiculous, there is an all powerful god who isn't powerful enough to come to Earth. Then the story doesn't go downhill, it falls off a cliff. It reminds me of The Omen and Boys from Brazil, but this is a perfectly good child created.God wants the original 10 commandment tablets returned for some reason.Actually this is the second set, Moses smashed the first ones in a pique of anger when the people made the golden calf.

Perhaps the fact I haven't yet read the book this film was so absolutely gorgeous to watch. The story develops so naturally one barely can wait to see the next scene, and the next and so forth. Very wise choice to shoot it with a predominantly English cast I think, and even the (still) horrible pronunciation of the English language by Krabbé himself wasn't disturbing enough to distract from the compelling story, events unfolding well-paced, without any of the important characters having difficulty to rise above stereotype cliché's. I am deeply touched by the angelic Flora Montgomery (Ada Brons; wow, what a fresh, divine and utterly unblemished creature, she must have loved playing her role), Stephen Fry (Onno Quist) stunned me with a very impressive performance, Neil Newbon was IMHO well-cast in his role and held his ground. Mulisch may be (or come across as) an annoying public figure, his work on which this film is based must be nothing short of Great Art. I look forward to reading it.Wholeheartedly recommended for anyone but those who only dig brute action or sappy Hollywood all's well that ends well crap. A must-see!(9/10)

I must have seen a completely different movie, because I cannot identify in any level with most of the comments here. What work of art? The movie is boring, the acting is contrived at best and the only redeeming factor would be that the story itself is great, but unfortunately it was transformed in a 127 minutes borefest. To be completely fair, the movie has its moments, mostly on the first half hour when you anticipate everything that is supposed to happen and you get to know the characters and the storyline, but then..nothing else! I really had high hopes on this movie mostly based on the IMDB reviews, but I learned a lesson. Obviously oppinions are very subjective, but I still wonder why such a high grade for a very flawed movie..

I haven't read the book, but I the book and the film are 2 different things, so I think I have the right to give my opinion.. So boring...so over acting, so bad script..so no sense!It's ok if the main characters had to speak in English..due to the production agreement..but also the army in Cuba, just a few years after the revolution?????? And the anti-imperialism speech also in english???? And in which moment do we see Quinten to develop his interest in mystical things???