Transcription
HEAVEN IS FOR REALkceWritten byRandall WallaceeraBnBased on the book by Todd BurpoCApril 4, 2013DRAFT 1ST BLUE REVISIONSScenes Added: A22
HEAVEN IS FOR REALFADE IN:SUPERIMPOSE:“In my Father’s house are manymansions. If it were not so, Iwould not have told you.”-- Jesus of Nazareth1BEFORE OPENING CREDITS--1We see the majesty all around us:Spectacular sunsets. cloud formations. moonlight on oceanwaves. The delicacy of a flower’s pedals wet with dew.the amazing flight of a hummingbird, the breathtaking breachof a whale. The beauty of a newborn child. SUPERIMPOSE:kceBnHEAVEN IS FOR REALWe see the whole Earth, a living jewel in the enormity of theuniverse; our perspective of it becomes drawn into a singlepoint: an EYE. We pull back to see this eye being paintedon a canvas.eraCLOSE ON THE FACE of a girl. Her name is AKIANE KRAMARIK,and she is 12 years old. She has the eyes of an angel, analmost colorless blue, and is in some kind of trance.CShe is painting. What she is painting is coming from thevision she is having, seeing what others don’t see.HER BRUSH dips into the paints she has mixed--mostly ceruleanblue--and touches masterfully onto her painting.ULTRA CLOSE-- She is painting eyes. They are open andbright, seeing something divine, like hers are.2INT. SERIES OF CLOSE UPS - DAY2The hands of a strong young man are working on a mechanical,skilled and thoroughly blue-collar task. We see:2A--Those hands, swift and sure, never stopping, using adrill to bore holes in a metal frame.2A2B--Threading chain drives though geared sprockets.2B
2.2C--Wiring an electric motor into a building’s circuit box.2C2D--installing a wall switch complete with emergencyshutoffs and infrared safety circuits.2DAnd then we see the worker: TODD BURPO, fit and energetic,moving up and down a tall ladder, nimble as a goat.He’s in some kind of warehouse, surrounded by rolls ofcarpet.He finishes the mechanical work and moves to the switch he’sjust installed on the wall. He jabs the button and.THE HUGE GARAGE DOOR OPENS, revealing MAJESTIC BEAUTY:rolling plains beneath an endless sky.3EXT. RURAL NEBRASKA - DAYkce3The Nebraska heartland spreads out before Todd.SUPERIMPOSE:BnImperial, NebraskaeraThe owner of the carpet company, SLIM FORREST, 45, steps up.FORRESTMighty quick.CTODDI don’t get paid by the hour.FORRESTI’m afraid you don’t get paid bycash either. You sure you’re okaywith the carpet?TODDTimes are tough for all of us.When your business improves minewill too.4EXT. NEBRASKA - DAY4Three rolls of new carpet lie stacked in the back of Todd’spickup; on its door is a magnetic sign: BURPO GARAGE DOORS.Todd drives away, waving to Forrest.
3.5EXT. IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - BEAUTIFUL ROADS - DAY5We see the vast beauty of the Great Plains as Todd drives hisred pickup through his hometown. He passes a sign: ImperialNebraska, Population 1,926.6EXT. VOLUNTEER FIRE HOUSE - DAY6Todd pulls his truck to a stop outside a simple yet livelybuilding: the Volunteer Fire Department.Sitting in a circle of chairs in the open doorway of thevolunteer fire station, in front of fire trucks polished to adazzling shine, are a half dozen healthy young men enjoyingbowls of chili and each other’s company. Most are blondishCornhuskers; but one, RAY, is African-American, and one,MICHAEL, is Latino.kceMICHAELWhat’s up, Todd? You rob anothercarpet store?!BnTodd gets out and hollers back with the same good spirits.TODDUnlike you boys I actually have ajob!eraOne of the volunteers is JAY OLSON, Todd’s best friend.CJAYYeah, five of ‘em!As Todd drops the tailgate of his pickup, Jay leaves hischili and moves out to help Todd.JAYIf you keep letting people pay youwith things instead of money,you’re going to run out of thingsand money.TODDHey, I don’t come down where youwork and tell you how to shovel.They heave the big roll of carpet onto their shoulders andcarry it into the firehouse; as they pass the others-JAYWell don’t you ladies be troublingyourselves to help!
4.Ray, a muscular 250, gulps another mouthful of chili.RAYWe thought you wanted to work offsome calories, you guys arestarting to look kinda tubby.7INT. VOLUNTEER FIREHOUSE - BUNK ROOM - DAY7Todd and Jay drop the carpet roll onto the concrete floor ofthe firehouse bunk room.JAYThis’ll be great in here.TODDThe rest will just about fill upthe church basement.kceJAYWant me to help you drop it off?BnTODDNaw, I got it. I know better thanto ride in a pickup with you afteryou been eating chili.8eraEXT. VOLUNTEER FIRE HOUSE - DAYCTodd and Jay walk out together.8As Todd heads to his truck--JAYLet me know, and I’ll help youinstall it! I know you need helpwith skilled labor!9INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY9Todd, strong as a mule, carries the last of the carpet rollsinto the church basement. He checks his watch and winces.10INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - DAYTodd hurries into the gym where the wrestling team isstarting their workout.TODDOkay, guys! One hundred burpees!10
5.WRESTLERGee, thanks, coach!Todd starts doing the exercises with them. He notices onewrestler slumped at the edge of the mat and moves to him.TODDWhat’s wrong, Heywood?HEYWOODI hurt my shoulder.TODDJust warming up?HEYWOODNaw, on the farm.kceTodd presses his fingers into Heywood’s shoulder joint. Theboy flinches. Todd’s day just got even more complicated.11BnINT. HOSPITAL - DAY11As doctors are checking out Heywood’s shoulder, Todd noticesa young man trying to comfort a sobbing woman. Todd movesgently up to them.eraTODDIs there a way I can help?COff their look, he remembers his clothes.TODDI’m a pastor.WOMANYou look like the janitor.TODDI’m willing to be the janitor. AndI’m willing to pray for you too.The woman turns and storms off.MANI’m sorry. She’s my sister; herhusband just left her and now ourfather’s dying. She’s angry at theworld.TODDMe too, most of the time.
6.MANDad’s like my sister, he doesn’tbelieve in anything.TODDMy grandfather didn’t believe mucheither, but I sure loved him.Here’s my card. Call me if youchange your mind.12EXT. IMPERIAL NEBRASKA - ROAD - SUNSET12Todd drives Heywood home; the kid seems okay.TODDI called your folks to let themknow you’re okay. Your Dad wasespecially worried.Really?kceHEYWOODBnTODDSometimes Dads are so busy wantingto make their sons men that theyforget to show much they care.eraTodd stops in front of a farmhouse; Heywood gets out.HEYWOODThanks, Coach.13CINT./EXT. NEBRASKA HIGHWAY - TODD’S TRUCK - SUNSET13Todd is exhausted, so tired he’s sagging as he drives histruck toward home.The sun is going down and the sunset is beautiful. He looksup and tries to feel its beauty--and can’t. He checks hiswatch: there’s one more stop he wants to make.14EXT. IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - TOWN CEMETERY - SUNSETTodd walks alone through the headstones, and comes to onethat’s whiter and fresher than most of the others.Todd stops and stares down at the grave.He places a few Nebraska wildflowers on it.He tries to pray.and nothing comes.14
7.15EXT. IMPERIAL, NEBRASKA - BURPO HOUSE - EVENING15The houses of Imperial, Nebraska, are sprinkled across thecountryside. ONE HOUSE is bursting with life.16INT. BURPO HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING16Eight women, led by Todd’s pretty wife, SONJA (28), aresinging.LADIES’ CHOIR“Take my life and let it beConsecrated Lord to theeTake my hands and let them moveAt the impulse of thy love--”Sonja, as she sings, is noticing not only the flow of themusic but everything else--she has a genius for quietawareness. One of the women, ROSA, has a newborn, and isholding her baby as she tries to follow along with thesinging. Sonja sees the baby’s blanket is tattered.kceBnLADIES CHOIRAt the impulse of thy love.”eraSONJA(interrupting)Hold on! That’s right on pitch andrhythm, but it feels a little--CNANCY PHELPS, 50’s, is a strong presence--a natural leader.--pious?Yes.NANCYSONJALet’s try again.LADIES’ CHOIR“Take my life and let it beConsecrated Lord to thee--”Suddenly Nancy jumps in with an imitation of Janis Joplinsinging “Piece Of My Heart”-NANCY“TAKE IT! TAKE ANOTHER LITTLEPIECE OF MY HEART now baby!.”At first the other ladies are surprised, but then Sonjalaughs and joins in too--
7A.SONJA AND NANCY“You know you’ve got it!--”ALL the ladies do the Janis Joplin throat-ripping scream-LADIES’ CHOIRAWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAHHHHH!They howl and laugh; Cassie (8) looks at little Colton (4).CeraBnkce
8.CASSIEI’ll never understand grown-ups.Tiny Colton stands and moves quietly out to the front porch.17EXT. BURPO HOUSE - EVENING17Todd pulls up in his truck, and is even more deflated when hesees his driveway and the nearby street cluttered with cars.TODDEvery Monday. How could I forget?He gets out and hears the tight harmonies of another hymndrifting from his living room. It’s a lovely sound, but notto Todd’s ears right now. He slumps toward the house when-Colton stands from his seat on the front porch where he’sbeen waiting for Todd.Daddy!Colton!kceCOLTONBnTODDeraColton runs up and Todd scoops him into his arms.TODDHow ya doin’?CCOLTONMom gots a house full of women.And Cassie thinks she’s one too.Through the windows Todd spots Cassie serving coffee like alady to the women of the group. Then he sees Sonja comingback from the kitchen to join them. Todd knows his wifewell; he feels a sense of something troubling her.TODDTell ya what. Let’s have Men’sNight at the Pizza Palace.COLTONSure you’re not too tired?TODDNo more than usual.tired?Do I actCOLTONYour shoulders are saggy.
9.Todd squares his shoulders and smiles at Colton’s innocenthonesty and perception.TODDBetter now?Colton gives him a glance and a nod.TODDNo more work, off to pizza!Then his phone bings with a text message.Todd sags again.COLTONWhat’s wrong?TODDThere are some people at thehospital. Their father is sick andthey want me to come.COLTONI’ll go with you.Okay.TODDIt might be sad.kceeraBnOr scary.COLTONThat’s alright, Dad. If I’m withyou, I won’t be afraid.18CINT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT18Todd enters the ward with Colton at his side. He spots theyoung man and woman he saw earlier. Seeing Todd, the womanrises and stalks in the opposite direction, but the man--LEEWATSON--rises and shakes Todd’s hand.LEEReverend Burpo-Todd.TODDLEETodd-- I never told you my name,I’m Lee. My father surprised meand asked for some kind of priest.Would you mind talking with him?Colton climbs easily into a chair and plays with Spiderman.
10.19INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT19Todd enters alone and moves to the bedside. The old manseems asleep, but the heart monitor is registering a weakpulse. Todd curls his fingers into the old man’s palm.The old man’s eyes open and drift to Todd’s face.TODDI’m Todd--I’ve come to pray withyou.The old man’s eyes drift toward the ceiling; a tear slidesdown his face.TODDAre you afraid?The old man blinks.kceTODDIs there anything you’re sorry for?BnThe old man’s lips tremble.OLD MAN(soft whisper)Everything.eraTodd leans closer.TODDI believe God forgives. And if heforgives anything, he forgiveseverything.CThe old man looks once toward Todd and once more toward theceiling. Todd sees the old man’s son and daughter at thedoor of the hospital room. Todd steps back from the bed, andthe dying man’s son and daughter move in to his bedside.Then Todd sees Colton standing in the open doorway, staringcalmly at the scene.Todd moves to him, takes Colton’s hand and together they walkdown the silent corridor.20INT. TODD’S TRUCK - ON THE HIGHWAY - NIGHT20Todd is lost in his own thoughts. He glances toward Colton,who seems equally distant, staring up at the stars in theNebraska night.COLTONThat man was dying, wasn’t he?
11.TODDYes.COLTONDo people ever get better when youtalk to them? Mom readed me astory about Jesus healing sickpeoples.TODDSometimes they get better.COLTONThen how do you know he’s going todie?TODDThere’s a look of death, and thatold man had it.kceCOLTONI’ll pray for him.BnTodd looks at Colton, loving his son--and perhaps envying hischildlike faith.21eraINT. BURPO HOUSE - COLTON AND CASSIE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT21Todd stands in the doorway of the bedroom, watching as Sonjafinishes reading a bedtime story to the children.CSONJA“And the bear glancedunicorn and then said‘Of all the deaths wedied, this is the onechosen.’”at theto the lion,could havewe would haveShe closes the book, kisses both children easily, and driftsto the door as Todd moves to the children. Sonja looks back,taking in the beauty of her healthy children and lovinghusband; it has a special resonance for her tonight.Sonja makes a decision about something and moves away, asTodd kisses Cassie and then Colton.Colton looks up into his father’s eyes and whispers-COLTONI prayed for the sick man.Todd looks at Colton, smiles, and switches off the light.
11A.A22CLOSE - SONJA’ DRESSER DRAWERS - NIGHTA22Alone in her bedroom, Sonja opens a drawer--the bottom drawerof her dresser, where she keeps her personal treasures. Shepulls out a beautiful baby’s dress, complete with a pinkbonnet.For a moment she stares at it, memories and dreams minglingin her eyes. She takes a breath, and forces herself forward;it’s time to let it go.22INT. BURPO HOUSE - TODD AND SONJA’S BEDROOM - NIGHTTodd and Sonja are in bed, the lights off, lying close.CeraBnkce22
12.TODDHow tight are we on money thismonth?SONJARemember, no money talk in bed.TODDMr. Forrest couldn’t pay for hisdoor, so he donated the churchcarpet instead.SONJAHe said he had cash when he orderedthe door.TODDThings changed.kceSONJAYou had a rough day didn’t you?TODDNot so rough. We’ve got twomighty special children.BneraHe pauses a moment, puts his hand in Sonja’s hair.TODDAnd as long as I’m with you, I’mnot afraid.CAs Sonja rolls into his arms, a smile breaks onto Todd’sface.The sound of children singing anticipates-CHILDREN’S VOICES“Jesus loves the littlechildren!.”23EXT. ESTABLISHING CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY23It’s a medium-sized sanctuary, modest and lovely.We see a sign: “Crossroads Wesleyan Church. All Welcome.Todd Burpo, Pastor.” And coming from the church we hear thehigh, sweet voices of children, singing the first hymnchildren are ever taught.CHILDREN’S VOICES(singing)“All the children of the world!(MORE)
13.CHILDREN’S VOICES (CONT'D)Red and yellow, black and white,They are precious in his sight!Jesus loves the little children ofthe world!”24INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY24Arranged in front of the congregation, wearing angelic littlerobes topped off with enormous blue neck bows are twentychildren below the age of six, singing their hearts out.Colton is in the center of the group, watching Sonja, who isconducting them, perhaps without realizing how exaggeratedher expressions and gestures are as she mouths the words andtries to will them into the right rhythm and pitch.As we focus on Colton, we hear his voice more prominently,and realize that even at 4, he can really sing.kceTodd sits in a front pew with Cassie. Todd is smiling.Cassie leans over close to him, to whisper--BnCASSIEDo you think mom realizes how funnyshe looks when she does that?eraTODD(whispering back)No. And were not going to tellher. Are we.CCassie looks up at him and shakes her head ominously.goes back to watching and suppresses a smile.ToddParents throughout the congregation are watching proudly asthe children sing another verse, now adding broad gesturesmeant to be expressive and in unison, and are neither.CHILDREN’S VOICES“Jesus loves the little children,All the children of the world!Red and yellow, black and white,They are precious in his sight!Jesus loves the little children ofthe world!”The children finish, the congregation beams, and the childrenfilter back to their special seating section, waving to theirparents as they walk.Todd jumps up onto the platform at the front of thecongregation. There is a pulpit, but Todd likes to prowl.
14.TODDThank you! Wasn’t that beautiful!As all the adults in the church applaud, Todd makes eyecontact with Sonja; she smiles as she sits down with Coltonand the other children.TODDThis morning I want to talk aboutwhat of commitment makes amarriage, a relationship, a life.Sonja is surprised; she didn’t know this was the topic of thesermon. Todd smiles.TODDSonja is looking at me! I knowwhat that look means--this betterbe good. The idea for this sermondidn’t start in my home, it startedwith a conversation with one ofyou, whom I won’t name.kceBnJay calls out and waves from the middle of the congregation.JAYeraIt was me!People laugh.TODDJay’s right! We were hanging offthe side of a fire engine when helooked around at the othervolunteers all ready to give theirlives to save their neighbors, andhe said, “I love these guys.”CThe way Todd shifts from smile to serious is masterful.holds the attention of everyone there.HeTODDThe next night I stood in thebedroom where our children sleepand listened to their mother readthem a story. It was from C.S.Lewis, in his final saga of awonderful land where animals talkwith humans and a great lion leadsthem all toward love and faith andcourage.Todd seems to be making it up on the spot, the right wordscoming to him; he prowls the platform, like a lion himself.
15.TODDBut in this final chapter of thisstory, written for children likeyou and me-As he says this even the oldest in the sanctuary are staringat him through young eyes. Nancy, in the choir, pondersevery word.TODD--the Lion’s enemies have sweptaway all of his followers excepttwo, a Bear and a Unicorn, who aretrapped with the Lion in a cave.The children in the congregation are riveted too; the adultscan feel that this is no toothless bedtime story.TODDBut because the cave is narrow, thewave after wave of soldiers thatthe evil king sends in to kill themcan’t do it; the Lion, Bear andUnicorn fight them off. So theking sends in a messenger who says,“The one we really want is theLion. If you give him up, we’lllet the others live. We’ll cut thehorn off the Unicorn and make himpull a cart for the rest of hislife; the Bear we’ll put in chainsand make him dance in the circus.But you will both live. All youhave to do. is give up the Lion.”BneraCkceTodd’s voice has taken on the grandeur of his topic; now hepauses, his silence keeping everyone dramatically suspended.NEAR THE FRONT ROW, Colton sits among the other children,listening to his father.TODDSo the Lion looks at his friendswith the question in his eyes:“What are you going to do?” Andthe Bear and the Unicorn.smile.And they say, “Of all the deaths wecould have died, this is the one wewould have chosen.”Todd pauses again, his silence like thunder. Thecongregation sits in absolute stillness, their hearts heldsuspended by the story of love and faithfulness.
16.Todd prowls the platform once more.TODDThe Bear and the Unicorn and theLion himself weren’t looking forthe easy road. And neither wasJesus when he accepted the cross.He stops, his eyes sweeping the congregation, pausing on theyoung men looking for courage, the older ladies looking forcomfort, the whole church looking for inspiration and love.TODDLet’s stand together and sing “TakeMy Life And Let It Be.”The congregation rises, and led by the ladies who practicedthe song with Sonja, they sing--kceCONGREGATION(singing)“Take my life and let it be,Consecrated Lord to Thee.”25BnEXT. CHURCH - AFTER THE SERMON - DAYera25People are leaving, energized and uplifted after Todd’ssermon, everyone wanting to shake his hand.IN THE PARKING LOT, Sonja opens the tailgate of the Burpo’sExplorer and hands a bag of baby clothes to Rosa.CSONJAI think she’ll look great in these!Rosa sees the gorgeous baby dress and pink bonnet; it’sunmistakable how special they are.ROSAOh, Miss Sonja.no.beautiful.This is tooSONJANot for Lucia! I can’t wait to seeher in it.AT THE CHURCH DOOR, Jay slaps Todd’s shoulder.JAYYou’re pretty good--as long as I’mthere to inspire you.
16A.TODDYou want to inspire me, get a hitthis afternoon in the softballchampionship, I’m tired of carryingyou.26EXT. SOFTBALL FIELD - DAY26Jay cracks a pitch for a double; when he makes second base hegives a gesture to Todd, and they laugh.Todd is waiting in the on-deck circle; Sonja moves to thebatter’s box. Jay yells to their team bench, whipping theirteammates into even greater excitement.Come on!runs!JAYWe can do it!kceBneraCTwo more
17.Sonja swings and hits a sharp liner to right field!Jay tears around the bases; he rounds third and heads forhome. Just another moment in a coed softball game, buteveryone’s playing like it’s the World Series.TODDYou got it, Jay!You got it!Jay slides into home. Ray, the catcher for the other team,tries to put the tag on him. SAFE! Todd’s teammateserupt! Sonja takes advantage of the chance to take second,surprising Ray, who takes his frustrations out on Jay.RAYYou’re sliding too hard!better watch it.YouRay is twice Jay’s size--and Todd is smaller than Jay.Todd jumps up in Ray’s face.kceStillTODDWatch it, or what? What are yougoing to do about it?BnRAYI’m gonna step on him like a roach,you little punk.eraTODDWho you calling punk, meathead?!CJAYCome on, guys!league!It’s a churchTodd steps into the batter’s box, shoots Ray a look, andslams the pitch into the outfield.As both teams go nuts and the ball rolls between theoutfielders, Todd rounds first and sees the chance for extrabases.Sonja heads for home, beating the throw.and goes for third.Ray pegs the ball to the third baseman.Slide!SLOW MOTION.TEAMMATESTodd rounds second
18.Todd slides at full speed. the ball reaches the thirdbaseman’s glove. Todd hits the dirt.CRACK!Todd’s leg breaks horribly.snap. He lies in agony.Even the spectators hear itEverybody on both teams comes running to him. When Sonjasees the bone sticking out of his thigh she nearly faints.JAYDon’t move! Don’t move!No one is more upset than Ray. Tears stream down his face ashe cradles Todd in his arms, lifts him, and half runs withhim toward the volunteer fire department’s waiting ambulance.As they place Todd into the ambulance, Michael, one of thevolunteer medics, whispers to Jay--kceMICHAELThat’s a spiral fracture, both endsof the bone look like drill bits.BnJAYWill it heal okay?eraMICHAELYeah, but he won’t be climbing anyladders for a long time.CThe ambulance screams away.27INT. CROSSROADS WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY27It’s another Sunday morning.Todd hobbles out on crutches and settles into a chair on theplatform, hoisting his broken leg to prop it on anotherchair. Even members of the congregation are wincing.Sonja, sitting with the adult choir members today, looks onwith concern as Todd begins his sermon.TODDAs many of you already know, I washurt sliding into third.(beat)I was safe.They laugh; surprised at Todd’s spunk, even now.
19.TODDFor our lesson today I could speakabout adversity. But this castsays everything I need to say aboutthat. Lately, I’ve been thinking alot about faith.(glancing at his Bible)“The evidence of things hoped for,the substance of things unseen.”Faith.Todd lifts his eyes, and waits, as if he’s lost his way for amoment--as if he’s listening but not hearing anything.TODDFaith is. My faith is.Another pause; Todd’s friends in the congregation--Jay,Nancy, Ray--have never seen him lose his flow.kceTODDWe want to give faith to our lovedones. What if we have. nothingto give? Sometimes we lose ourrhythm. We.lose our way.BneraAnd Todd seems to have lost his.Then a sudden pain hits him in the gut, so fierce he folds.Sonja half stands, but Todd waves her off and tries to ignoreit.CFaith is--TODDThis time the spasm doubles him over in the chair. Sonja,Jay, Nancy and others rush to him. COLTON, sitting withCassie, watches in concern.SONJAIs it the leg?TODD(through blinding pain)No, it’s in my back.NANCYTodd’s had kidney stones, right?(off Sonja’s nod)I’ve had them--and I’d rather givebirth to a twenty pound babywearing football cleats than havethem again!
20.TODDI’m so sorry. Can someone else.SONJASing hymn number 29, “AmazingGrace.”As the musicians start playing the tune and the concernedchurch members begin to sing, Sonja, Jay and Nancy half help,half carry Todd from the sanctuary.28EXT. IMPERIAL WESLEYAN CHURCH - DAY28Jay eases Todd to his car.TODD(through gritted teeth)It’s kidney stones!You sure?BnTODDI’ve had ‘em before!like--Nothing hurtseraAnother blinding pain stabs him.Son-of-a-CkceJAYTODDAs Jay is loading Todd into the back seat of his car, Toddlooks up and sees Colton getting in on the other side. Eventhrough his pain, the sight of his son’s concern softens him.TODDHow ya doin’, big guy?COLTONHow are you, Daddy ?TODDThe pain comes in waves.Kindalike cramps, only. worse. Don’tworry, Colton, I’ll-- I’ll be allright.COLTONThat’s right. God’s got you.TODDYes, he does. And right now he’skicking the crap out of me.
21.Colton stares at his father, through thoughtful blue eyes.29INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT29Todd lies on his back in a hospital bed, his family besidehim. Todd is pale, his face a mask to hide the pain. Todd’sdoctor stands on the other side of the bed.DOCTORYou’re right Todd. It’s kidneystones again. All we can do isgive you painkillers and lots ofwater and let you pass them.The doctor smiles to the family and leaves the room.looks down at the children.SonjaSONJACassie, you and Colton make surethe doctor is all right.CASSIEM’am? .Oh.kceBnCassie takes Colton’s hand and leads him from the room.Sonja moves closer to Todd’s bedside.eraSONJAYou’re gonna be alright Todd.We’re all gonna to be alright.CTodd reaches out and squeezes her hand, but takes a longfrustrated sigh.30EXT. BURPO HOME - DAY30Jay knocks at the front door. Sonja opens it on her way out,carrying little Colton piggyback.SONJAHi Jay. Come on in. He’s passinganother stone, and Colton and I aregoing to the park.JAYHey Colton.(glancing into the house)Is he okay?At that moment they hear an agonizing MOAN. Sonja nodstoward the sound and heads toward the car, still carryingColton piggyback.
22.COLTONGiddyup, horsey!SONJADid I ever tell you that horsesbite?We follow Jay as he moves into the house.31INT. BURPO HOUSE - DAY - CONTINUOUS31Jay follows the sound of Todd’s moans.TODD (O.S.)AAARRGGG.Jay moves up to the bathroom door, shut tight. Behind it hehears Todd’s whimpering. We see and hear all of this fromJay’s point of view, and it’s almost more painful (andcertainly more comical) to experience it this way.JAYTodd.Buddy! It’s Jay!you. Okay?.kceBneraAreTODD (O.S.)I’m-- passing-- another. Ooooo.Outside the door, Jay winces, imagining the pain.CJAYIs there anything I can do?TODD (O.S.)(snapping)What, you want to try to catch it?!Auuuugghhhh.JAYHow many have you passed already?TODD (O.S.).Se-ven.Seven?!JAYTODD (O.S.)What do you want?
23.JAYNothing, I just-- the churchcommittee. We just-- We can talkabout this later!I’m fine!TODDI’ll-- ooooooo.JAYI’ll come back some other-TODD (O.S.)WHAT DO YOU WANT?!JAY(stuck)I. they wanted me to ask when youmight be able to preach again.kceTODD (O.S.)AAAAAUUUUNNNNNGGGGHHHH!The bloodcurdling sound causes Jay to grab his own belly.32EXT. BURPO HOUSE - DAYBnera32The sound of Todd’s suffering rings through the neighborhood.TODD (O.S.)OOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU.33CEXT. BURPO BACKYARD - EVENING33Todd’s body is healing, the cast off his leg, but he’sholding a cane and is still pale. He sits alone in his backyard, staring at a blank legal pad. Beyond him the hills andsky are a vista of majestic natural beauty, but Todd seesnone of it.He looks down at the cane, and hurls it away in fury, as ifhe wants to throw all his frustration away in the same way.34INT. BURPO HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAMEINSIDE THE HOUSE, Sonja is standing at the kitchen window,cooking dinner, seeing Todd’s frustration.34
24.35EXT. BURPO BACKYARD - EVENING - LATER35The family eats at their backyard picnic table; it’s a sceneof peace and beauty, but Todd has barely touched his food.Sonja glances at his full plate.SONJACassie, would you and Colton clearthe table please?Really?CASSIEGreat!Cassie loves the job.kitchen--As the children disappear into theSONJAWhat is it, Todd?kceHe knows he can’t keep anything from her.TODDI work four jobs--or I used to--andI tried in all of ‘em to helppeople have faith--and now all I amis bitter and angry! What’s wrongwith me?BneraSONJAYou’re just exhausted. We need atrip as a family. A getaway tocelebrate. Recharge. There’s agreat place in Denver to take thechildren. How about we head upthere for the weekend?C36EXT. NEBRASKA HIGHWAY - DAYThe Burpo family’s Expedition rolls along the interstatethrough spectacular countryside.INSIDE THE VEHICLE, Sonja feels optimistic. Almost toherself she starts singing, a happy, rousing gospel hymn:SONJA(singing)I’ll fly away, O glory--I’ll flyaway!Beside her, Todd joins in--36
25.TODD(singing).When all are looking down I willget up off the ground.Cassie and Colton both sing, and sing well; they join in too,even as they play with their crayons and action figures-COLTON/CASSIEAnd I’ll fly away!BURPO FAMILYI’ll fly away, O glory!away!.I’ll flyThe Burpos are terrific singers; they all join in the music.For Todd, surrounded by the music and his family’s love, thisis a moment of grace. Sonja is staring across the rollinghills to the majestic sky.kceBURPO FAMILY(singing).When all are looking down I willget up off the ground. And I’llfly away!BneraBefore the next verse can begin--COLTONCan we sing “We Will Rock You”?CFor a moment, silence in the car. Todd looks in the mirrorat Colton, then looks at Sonja; both parents gasp inexaggerated horror; then-TODD AND SONJA(singing)We will, we will rock you!BURPO FAMILYWe will, we will ROCK YOU!37EXT. COLORADO HIGHWAY - DAYThe Expedition rolls on, the Burpos singing wildly as theypass a road sign: DENVER, 96 MILES.BURPO FAMILY (O.S.)WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU!37
26.38INT. BUTTERFLY PAVILION - DENVER - DAY38The air is filled with butterflies in a symphony of color andgraceful movement. ULTRA CLOSE: A butterfly’s wings. TheBurpos watch the
HEAVEN IS FOR REAL Written by Randall Wallace Based on the book by Todd Burpo April 4, 2013 DRAFT 1ST BLUE REVISIONS Scenes Added: A22 Caren Beck. HEAVEN IS FOR REAL FADE IN: SUPERIMPOSE: “In my Father’s house are many
