William Spence abandons his ideas of becoming a doctor instead turning to a life as a Methodist minister. He takes he new bride, Hope, to a small Iowa town where he sets up his congregation and over the years he and Hope (along with their daughter and two sons) move from town to town going through many hardships and learning many ideas about the people they preach to. The film focuses mainly on the Spence's parish in Denver where Dr. Spence would like a better church for his parishioners, as well as a better home for he and his family, but are turned away by the affluent parishioners of the city when Dr. Spence tries to put his ideas into the church, rather than keep the status quo that has always been in place. Dr. Spence then has to fight to get the church built and protect his family from the mudslinging going around town, which leads to his eldest son, Hartzell, getting expelled from school. An excellent look at what may be perceived as a boring subject, thanks primarily to the wonderful script by Casey Robinson (based on Hartzell Spence's book). March and Scott are the perfect players for the William and Hope, making you believe these are real people rather than actors. A wonderful ending only heightens the enjoyment of the movie, but the treat for me was the good feeling that the film leaves you with. Rating, 10.
Review of One Foot in Heaven
