Letters to God

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Letters to GodOfficial poster

Directed by David Nixon, Patrick Doughtie (co-director)

Produced by David Nixon, Kim Dawson, Tom Swanson, Art D'Alessandro

Written by •Patrick Doughtie•Art D'Alessandro•Sandra Thrift•Cullen Douglas

Starring •Robyn Lively•Jeffrey Johnson•Tanner Maguire•Bailee Madison•Michael Bolten

Editing by Patrick TylerStudio Possibility PicturesDistributed by Vivendi EntertainmentRelease dates •April 9, 2010Running time 110 minutesCountry United StatesLanguage EnglishBudget $3 million

Box office $2,842,890[1]

Letters to God is a 2010 Christian drama film directed by David Nixon and starring Robyn Lively, Jeffrey Johnson,Tanner Maguire, Michael Bolten and Bailee Madison. The story was written by Patrick Doughtie about his son Tyler, with the screenplay penned by Doughtie, Art D'Alessandro, Sandra Thrift and Cullen Douglas. The story took place inNashville, Tennessee, but the movie was filmed in the Orlando, Florida area.Letters to God is based on the true story of Tyler Doherty, who was played in the film by Tanner Maguire. Parts of the story are real, and others were fictionalized, such as the character of a drunken mailman named Brady Mc Daniels (Jeffrey Johnson), who receives Tyler's "letters to God." The film was released to theaters on April 9, 2010, with mixed reviews

PlotTyler Doherty (Tanner Maguire) is an 8 year-old suffering from cancer who has a love for writing and sending letters to God. His local postman, Walter Finley, takes them to his office after work. His boss sees them and instructs Walter to take care of them.Later Mr. Finley goes on an extended vacation, causing an alcoholic named Brady McDaniels (Jeffrey Johnson) to replace him temporarily. Brady is a regular at the "Bar and Grill" and close to the bartender, Jack. On his first day of work, Brady is bitten by Mrs. Baker's dog, and is confused by the "Letters to God" that he picks up from the Doherty house.

That same day Tyler returns to school after two months of brain tumor surgery, MRIs and radiation. The Doherty family has been through a lot; in addition to Tyler's cancer, they have also lost Patrick Doherty, Tyler's father. Tyler's first day of school starts off with Alex, who bullies Tyler for being bald and having little eyebrows. Tyler's friend Samantha Perryfield (Bailee Madison), pushes Alex's face in his mashed potatoes, causing them to be sent to the principal's office.

Tyler sends more letters to God, with Brady picking them up each day. Brady initially wants to give them to a church, but the pastor says that Brady should keep them. Brady reads some of them, and they inspire him to be a better person. Brady develops a close relationship to the Dohertys. Mrs. Doherty gets close to Brady, and later reads Tyler's brother, Ben's, letter that inspires her to be a better mother and immediately goes to get Ben driver's license. Ben makes Tyler and his mom think he is arrogant and selfish like a normal teenager

Tyler tells Sam that he wants Alex to know that he is not mad at him. Alex figures out Tyler's love of soccer and gets an idea of giving a soccer ball with "Get Well" on it. Brady, Alex and Sam visit Tyler at the hospital.Later, Tyler finishes getting chemotherapy and is released. The nurses remind Mrs. Doherty that Tyler's body is not very fit yet. Dave, Tyler's soccer coach, asks Tyler to play in a match. In the middle of it, Brady encourages Tyler to play goalkeeper. Tyler faints at the end of the game and is taken to the hospital. Brady is angrily blamed by Mrs. Doherty for encouraging Tyler to play, but later apologizes. It was shown later that Brady had been in jail for DUI, and that his son, Justin, was taken away from him by his wife. He turns away from his old life, and throws away his bottles of whiskey. Tyler later succumbs to his illness, and passes away at home. Sam dedicates a mailbox for God, saying that "His life was a letter to God."

• Cast• Robyn Lively as Maddy Huff Doherty• Jeffrey Johnson as Brady Jeffrey

McDaniels• Tanner Maguire as Tyler Doherty• Bailee Madison as Samantha "Sam"

Perryfield• Michael Bolten as Ben Austin Doherty• Maree Cheatham as Olivia• Ralph Waite as Mr. Perryfield• Brendan Doughtie as Justin McDaniels• Karley "Fudge" Scott Collins as Ashley

Turner

Production   David Nixon (far left) and Pat Doughtie with young actors Tanner Maguire and Bailee Madison on the set.Pat Doughtie and his dying son, Tyler, became a major story in Nashville, Tennessee when Julie Buchanan was convicted of stealing money from the boy's cancer fund. In caring for his son, Doughtie lost his job and his house, and soon his son died as well. "Once he passed, I decided to write a book," said Doughtie, who was unsure of where telling his son's story would lead. Doughtie took a screenplay class and soon wrote the original script for Letters to God. It was noticed by Christian filmmakerDavid Nixon, who co-produced Sherwood Pictures' successful Christian films Facing the Giants and Fireproof.[2]

It was assumed that any story involving Tyler would include Julie Buchanan, who stole money from his cancer fund; however, Tyler's true-life cancer is instead fictionalized: an alcoholic mailman intercepts Tyler's letters to God. Doughtie wanted Letters to God to be shot in Nashville, but it was ultimately filmed in Orlando, Florida for financial reasons.[3] David Nixon, Tom Swanson and Kim Dawson are leading a group of investors in the development of three faith-based movies through Possibility Pictures, the first being Letters to God. The film had a production budget of approximately $3 million.[4]

ReceptionLetters to God received mixed reviews: generally negative from mainstream film critics and far more positive from Christian ones. It has a 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on twenty reviews (however it has a 72% rating from audience reviews), and a 31% at Metacritic based on seven reviews. John Beifuss of The Commercial Appeal called the film a "sometimes moving, sometimes awkward blend of sentimental family drama, childhood cancer education and Christian proselytizing".[13] Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel gave the film 1½ out of 4 stars, "Letters to God is certainly family-friendly, [but] the blandness robs it of whatever emotion or redemption the filmmakers were shooting for."[14] The NYC Movie Guru gave the film a positive review, "Letters to God manages to be a bighearted, uplifting and captivating drama for all ages. It will inspire you to open your heart compassionately and to find hope, faith and comfort throughout your life’s hardships."[15]

The film was extremely well received by Christian film critics. The Dove Foundation gave the film five stars.[16] Phil Boatwright of the Baptist Press called the film "A triumph. One of the best films you and your family will see all year." Ted Baehr of Movieguide said, "Letters to God is an impressive movie. It is extremely well written. The dialogue is edgy and drives the story forward. The production quality is first rate. There is even great attention to the music... the type of movie you want everyone to see, one of the most encouraging and inspiring movies in a long time."[17] Plugged In said, "Letters to God actually goes well beyond the tried-and-true tale of a sweet kid who has cancer. It does so by adding the spiritual dimension."[18]

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