Tragedy dropping at its worst

“Letters to God” is a manipulative, blatantly Christian tearjerker of a film that wears its bias on its sleeve. 

The film practices a storytelling technique of “tragedy dropping.” It’s about a young cancer patient with a dead father who writes letters to God as received by a deadbeat, divorced drunkard of a mailman who is inspired by the boy and his letters to rebuild his life.

Anytown, USA — as depicted here — is clearly seen through a conservative, Christian lens. This is the town Sarah Palin thinks still exists at the heart of the “Real America,” and not a shred of what this idealistic view imagines is the least bit believable. 

Sappy, cliché, eye-wetting screenplays are one thing, but “Letters to God” lists its main character in the title. 

God, prayer, Jesus and Christianity in general are all awkwardly forced into every conversation dealing with real human drama. Don’t you know, little boy? You are God’s chosen one, a warrior capable of spreading the word of Jesus Christ to everyone by means of your suffering.